What everyone says but what you don't want to hear during your pregnancy

Actually, it's not fair of nature, because let's face it: those really short nights, they're still coming. I know that for sure.

Now that I'm in the seventh month of my pregnancy, I know: sleeping well is something from a distant past. Long gone are the days when you could lie on your stomach for about nine hours straight snoring until your alarm goes off. No. With a rather unflattering sleep pillow, you lie half on your side for about an hour or two, maybe three, before you have to pee again. Constantly peeing. You seem like a pee machine. And that really disrupts your sleep rhythm. So you're constantly tired and therefore also labile – and you would think that nature ensures that you start that exciting baby time extra well-rested.

But no. You barely sleep and you're so tired every day that you could nap at any time of the day. And you know what really doesn't help? Certain comments from acquaintances, strangers, friends, or family. I can’t hear that one comment anymore. Because an average conversation, with a honking belly, now goes like this:

“Wow, what a belly!”
“Yes, haha, there are two in there!”
“Oh, wow, twins. That's going to be really tough, you know. Really tough. Good luck.”

I mean it. No one doesn't say it, actually. So now I'm standing up for all mothers, all almost-mothers, and definitely all mothers of two or more. Listen. I know for sure that it will be a lot of work to take care of two little ones. But hello, we're talking about my own children. It’s going to be especially very fun and beautiful and amazing – and I’m so looking forward to it. I want to see them so badly and give them kisses and cuddle. It’s the most exciting time of my life, by far. So please don't make me extra nervous and let's not act like children ruin your life. I really understand that a dinner with a friend isn't as easy anymore or that a weekend away just the two of you isn't possible right now. But it also becomes so intimate, together with my husband, to experience this.

And no, you don't necessarily choose twins, so comments about it being very busy... Please keep that to yourself. Just like people who have their little comment ready when child number two quickly follows child number one. “Wow, how quick, another child, that’s really going to be tough, a toddler and a baby in the house, oh dear.” Let's be nice and positive in the new year, for all the moms.  Let's be happy. Children are fun, being a mother is the most beautiful thing there is, I think, and the baby time is super special. And having two at once is also special, not heavy, not difficult, not busy, not too much. There. Having said that, I can type on with a peaceful heart in 2019. And hopefully get some more sleep this year.