Her son's birth: ouch. Searing pain, a brief blackout. Doctors sniped at each other, their faces twisted ugly behind surgical masks. A nurse shook her head as if to apologize.

Still, the baby was healthy. Gurgles, dimpled knees, diapers filled with green goo.

She e-mailed photos to her husband. "I love you so much hon," he said, through long-distance crackle. He couldn't wait to come home, and meet his son.