There was the pain of tearing in her private, but it was bearable since she knew the procedure was finally going to start.

Throughout the whole day, Keith never left her side, which gave her an unspoken strength.

The doctor gave her local anesthesia and then made a sidecut. A skilled birth attendant took care of her and instructed her breathing rhythm. After more than half an hour, Cathryn felt something slipping out of her body, soon followed by a loud, sharp cry.

Her lips ...