hi there. well, I had a c-section after 16 hours of labor, no pushing, but labor pains. I gladly welcomed that needle they put in my back to numb me from the waist down. If you can endure labor pains, that needle is nothing! trust me. it's a tiny pinch and then whoooooosh warmth down the legs and numbness! my c-section went great. it was over before i knew it. my husband was right there with me the whole time and the team of nurses and doctors were great. they even made me laugh during it. then i saw my baby, of course, i didn't get to hold him right away, but on the way back to my room I did which was probably 30 min after he was born. then i started breastfeeding right away. the recovery was very easy for me. i got up and walked the next day a bit and honestly, the pain was very minimal, just take your medication as they tell you and you will be fine. I was impressed at how well I took it all and how well the recovery went, you are so focused on your baby you don't really notice how you feel...you will be GREAT! GOOD LUCK and Happy Holidays!