I actually went into labor on Christmas Eve and was in labor full swing on Christmas day...and didn't realize it. I thought it was false labor. It really never occurred to me that she'd arrive 6.5 weeks early.
So I checked into the hospital around noon on Christmas day and grabbed a snack on the way in case they wouldn't let me eat.
And they didn't let me eat. For another 31 hours (yes, I counted; I was STARVING despite the IV--it is no good subsitute for food). Not until they were certain that we'd slowed labor down and that she'd stay in for a while longer.
My first meal? A heaping helping of mac and cheese, sweet potatoes...and broccoli (since I have to set a good example now). I have never been happier to have food. I have never gone that long without eating. Okay, confession: I didn't really go that long without eating. The Husband sneaked in a little here and there for me (because I BEGGED) but when I say a little, I do mean a little. A few slices of fake bacon. A roll. Some fruit snacks.
Anyway, I was still confined to the hospital, so we settled in for a while. The food in the maternity ward is much better than other parts of the hospital, from what I understand. This is a good thing. I was actually pretty pleased with it. Though after a few days, I tired of mac n cheese and grilled cheese (I was still battling horrid acid reflux, so I was limited in my choices).
Though we thought she could hang in there until she was at least 34 weeks gestational age, Baby Eats decided to make her grand arrival on December 27th around 10pm. Perhaps she was sick of cheese?
After spending a little over a week in NICU, she got to come home, where we're all adjusting just fine. I am tired and tired of cold food (inevitably, she wants to eat just as I'm about to eat) but we're all doing well and happy she's healthy. We just need to get her fattened up. She's 19.5 inches long but still under 5 pounds. But considering how much she eats, I'm predicting she won't be that tiny for long!
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