C-SECTION EVERY TIME HANDS DOWN NO CONTEST.
My first birth was Keillands forceps, DD ended up with scarred face, my episiotomy broke down - i.e. gaping wound down below for 2 months which was not restitched so I just had to live with it there, I was faecally incontinent, couldn't feel my bladder to wee (although did not have urinary continence issues), DD was too battered and exhausted to feed and ended up with a gastro-nasal feeding tube, my milk didn't come in until day 6.
My second birth was ELCS, I was up and about as soon as the catheter was out, only in hospital for 2 nights, never needed to request top up morphine pain relief (so managed on diclofenac and paracetamol after the epidural wore off), all healed beautifully and I just stuck to the rules about no lifting exerting until after 6 weeks - piece of cake in comparison. Oh and my milk came in on day 3, DD2 fed beautifully from the off.
Re: toddler and CS recovery: just stick to the rules! I relied on my DH during his paternity leave then got my parents to stay an extra week after. I began refusing to lift DD1 when I was about 7 months pregnant just saying she was too big now and taught her how to get into and out of the bath using a step (with me supporting in case she slipped but not taking any weight). TBH the recovery was so much easier than after my first birth that managing a toddler around my recovery was a breeze. Rely on others to load and unload the washing machine, hoover etc. or save for a cleaner/mothers help for the few weeks after.
I cannot comment on other types of forceps but the risks associated with Keillands forceps which are used to keep c-section rates down (how the midwife introduced the consultant who butchered performed the procedure on me and DD) are so high that they are not used in the US as insurers won't cover Drs who use them (too costly to continually keep paying out for the damage they cause). I have until DD is 18 to decide whether to sue for the damage she will see in the mirror every day of her life.