Why it is very good that women are pregnant for nine months

Life is full of surprises and when I think back to how my life was four, five months ago, I can hardly remember it.

Because my goodness, so much has happened in a bizarrely short time. One day you think: wow, I haven't gotten my period yet. You accidentally spill something and yes, that little plus changes your life. My pregnancy is anything but normal and well, that's quite hard to swallow sometimes. Because twins, we didn't see that coming. Not expected. Not planned. And just when I was getting used to that thought, I heard the genders. Two boys. Also not really expected, because I was always convinced I would have a girl. So much for that maternal intuition. But: a lot of big news in a short time. That can also take a toll on you and you might as well just admit it. Especially combined with eight hundred thousand hormones.

And now I notice that time is going slowly, and at the same time quickly. Next week I will be halfway through the pregnancy. That has felt quite long, because I also feel like I've been pregnant for ages and I can't really remember that last delicious glass of wine. I also don't remember what sashimi is. Or a hangover, sleeping on my stomach, or having a flat stomach and fitting into Levi's. But it also goes quickly, because we still need to buy a house in the time we have left, plus move. Not to mention the strollers, changing tables, and bottle warmers we still need to score. We have nothing yet. Because we still need to move. In the end, I know one thing for sure: it's a good thing that as a woman you are pregnant for nine months. You need it.

• You go through different phases in your pregnancy and as cliché as it is, you need time to get used to everything. Every day helps with that. From being nauseous for three months to feeling fit to preparing for childbirth. From anxieties and constantly thinking ‘is everything okay with the babies?’ to finding peace in your mind and having confidence in your body.
• Becoming a mother is something so special that not only your body needs time for it, but also your mind. Every day you get more used to the idea that soon there will be someone to take care of forever and to love. Or two little ones, if you are as lucky as I am.
• You can accept everything more. You are going to work a little less, you can't do everything with friends that you normally would, and you feel tired more quickly and that will remain so when you have to get up all night for the babies. Accepting that the old life is not coming back. Sure, you can still occasionally go out and dance with friends on Friday night, but it will be different. Less taken for granted.
• If you already know the gender before you give birth: give yourself that time you get. With each day it becomes more real and lively and you will be completely happy with a boy or a girl. Because they will be your boys or girls. But the gender will also need to fit into your little world and, here it comes again, that takes time.
  You can take your time getting used to the names. Or switch them, if you are still in doubt.
• You allow yourself more rest, calm, and relaxation each week. At first, you still want to work hard for yourself, but there comes a point where you think: I also need to listen to my body. Just let me hang on the couch on Friday night, I need that for a bit.
• The more your belly grows, the more ready you will be for the big moment: the birth. The more you feel them in your belly, the more excited you get to meet your babies. As soon as month nine arrives, you are really ready for it, in every way. Nature really thought that through well.