"I have heard from a reliable source that epidurals are the only way to go," Gina said-- Clara, who, since she'd had twins, would know. "And not a c-section unless you can't help it. Takes longer to bounce back from one of those than from a regular vaginal birth."

She hesitated, wondering if she dared ask, then said, slowly, "If you don't mind my asking, any particular reason you decided to go with a surrogate?"