Arrive by Nina Lane Page B

anything stressful.”
    Seems to me drugs would keep things from becoming stressful, but I have a feeling that’s not what she wants to hear.
    “Well, that’s very… thoughtful,” I finally say.
    “I’ve done a lot of research,” Gwen replies. “I’ve heard it also helps the baby’s transition since water resembles the intrauterine environment. You’re due quite a bit sooner than me. Have you done your birth plan yet?”
    I don’t even know what a birth plan is.
    Before I can respond, Mary calls the class back to attention and launches into a discussion about early labor symptoms.
    “We need to write a birth plan,” I tell Dean on the way home.
    “I put together a template last week.”
    “You have a birth plan template? What is a birth plan?”
    I should totally know this by now. The fact that I don’t makes me feel like I should stay after school for detention.
    “Just a list of preferences you want for things like pain management, induction, monitoring,” Dean explains. “You bring it with you to the hospital so the nurses know what your choices are.” He turns into our garage and parks the car. “You can fill it out when you start making decisions. We’ll print out a few copies to put in your suitcase.”
    I am acutely aware that he’s far more prepared for the whole birthing process than I am. Though I cut myself some slack over the fact that I’ve been busy opening a business and growing a baby , I guess there’s something to be said for taking notes.
    That evening, I do a ton of research on home water births (no, thanks) and birth plans. Following all the links brings up a host of other questions (What’s a doula? Do I want one? Hypno-birthing? Walking epidural? Induction options? Do I plan to nurse? How long after giving birth can a woman have sex? How long after giving birth will she want to have sex?).
    Finally I write up a list of my questions and bring it with me to my check-up with Dr. Nolan the following day. I suspect Dean already knows all the answers, but I’m not about to give him the satisfaction of showing off his knowledge.
    After Dr. Nolan patiently answers all my questions, I feel much more empowered—or at least, ready for next week’s class. I go into our apartment, dropping my satchel on the front table.
    “How’d it go?” Dean calls through the open door of his office.
    “Everything’s fine.” I stop in the doorway and pat my round belly. “Heartbeat normal, glucose test fine. I’ve gained twenty pounds, and Dr. Nolan said I should put on one to two pounds a week from now on.”
    “Might as well do what the good doctor says.” He looks meaningfully at my breasts, which have grown bigger right along with the rest of me.
    “Lecher.”
    “Uh huh. Did you tell Dr. Nolan that you’re having hot dreams?”
    “I most certainly did not.” I huff a little at the thought, even though it’s true that my dreams have been more erotic than usual lately. “For your information, it’s perfectly natural for a woman’s libido to increase during pregnancy.”
    “Oh, I know. Very lucky for me.”
    Despite the brewing heat in his expression, which under normal circumstances would light my fire good and hot, I mumble something about needing to start dinner before I head into the kitchen. My body has changed more dramatically in the second trimester than it did in the first, and I’m increasingly—sometimes uncomfortably—aware of that fact.
    With a sigh, I get a few things prepped for dinner, then go into the bedroom to change into stretch-pants and a more comfortable shirt. As I pull my sweater over my head, I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror. I’m wearing a sensible cotton support bra, which is pretty much what I wore pre-pregnancy, except this one is larger and my breasts swell over the top of the cups.
    Everything else is larger too. I peel off my jeans and go to stand in front of the mirror in my underwear. The curve of my belly starts beneath