The hospital room felt too bright and too quiet all at once, the steady beep of the monitor beside my bed the only thing keeping me tethered to the fact that everything, apparently, was going to be alright.
"The baby's heart rate is strong and steady," the doctor said, studying the monitor with the same calm efficiency I imagined she brought to every frightened patient who came through those doors. "What you experienced was a significant round of Braxton Hicks contractions, likely triggered by stress and dehydration. It's not uncommon this far along, especially given what I understand has been an unusually difficult few days."
"That might be an understatement," I said, my voice still thin with the last of the adrenaline.
"I'd recommend reduced stress for the next few weeks, more rest, a
