AFLW star Daisy Pearce ready to tackle motherhood with twins

WOMEN’S footy pioneer Daisy Pearce says she is ready to tackle the challenge of being mum to twins, admitting she’s already in love with the two ‘little grey blobs’ on the ultrasound screen.

WOMEN’S footy pioneer Daisy Pearce says she is ready to tackle the challenge of being mum to twins.

The Melbourne midfielder has longed dreamt of becoming a mum but admits she is still struggling to come to terms with her “two for the price of one” surprise.

“It’s amazing how quickly you can fall in love with a little grey blob on an ultrasound screen,” Pearce said.

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Daisy Pearce and her partner Ben are ready to tackle the challenge of being parents to twins. Picture: Alex Coppel.

“Suddenly everything seems that little bit more significant, or better and more exciting because of this idea that we have these two babies coming.

“I keep thinking the news has sunk in, but then we have little moments where we realise it hasn’t at all yet.”

Pearce, 30, and partner Ben O’Neill are busy compiling a shortlist of names on the fridge for the pair, due in March, but are looking forward to the surprise of finding out their genders when they arrive.

Speaking exclusively to Sunday Herald Sun columnist Hamish McLachlan, Pearce revealed she had been battling morning sickness but was now able to look with optimism to what lies ahead.

“Ever since my youngest brother and sister came along, I’ve been pretty clucky and loved kids. I’ve always looked forward to being a mum, and now that journey begins with a special guy who will be a great dad and amazing support.

“I think we’ll embrace the inevitable chaos that is family life and if our own families are anything to go by it’ll be a crazy wonderful adventure.

“We’ll get to see two little people grow, help shape them, and learn from them at the same time. It will be really special.”

Daisy Pearce’s ultrasound of her twins. Picture: Instagram.

Pearce has helped deliver about 150 babies, including a set of twins, in her role as a midwife.

But she said for this arrival it will be a team effort with O’Neill.

“He’s actually probably got me pipped for excitement,” she said of the firefighter.

“He’s rapt. He’s been very excited from the outset, and he can’t wait to be a dad.

“He’ll be a great father. He’s very positive, he’s got a great outlook on life, he’s adventurous, he’s energetic, and I look forward to having a couple of kids to share all of those traits with. “He’s very caring, very loyal and very protective.”

The Melbourne captain is contemplative when asked what type of mum she will be.

“I’d like to think I’ll be reasonably cruisy, but who knows. One thing I know is that there is no right or wrong way and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot about myself as I go.

“It’s probably going to be the most rewarding thing that we’re ever going to do, but it will certainly have its challenges.

“I’ve got a great role model in my mum, Dee, who’s taught me that it’s never perfect, and that the best approach is to be honest and fair and that as long as you’re coming from a place of love and wanting the best for your kids it’s hard to go wrong.”

Pearce said her morning sickness had been “pretty debilitating”, but she was now on the mend.

And its given her a new appreciation of what expectant mothers she had dealt with in her job were going through.

“I’ve often told women that morning sickness was normal, and just brushed it off,” she laughed.

“Now I’ve been through it, I wish I could go back and give every one of those women a hug, because it’s no good at all.”

With footy never far from Pearce’s mind she determined but realistic about her prospects of taking the field again.

When Pearce broke the news to her coach the pair joked that with the twins due in round three of the AFLW season, she would still be available in the Melbourne midfield for the first two games.

When Pearce broke the news to her coach, the pair joked that with the twins due in round three of the AFLW season, she would still be available in the Melbourne midfield for the first two games. Picture: Adam Trafford.

“I will stay involved with the team in an off-field role. I’ll continue to try to help support and develop my teammates as much as I can without being out there with them. Im sure I’ll enjoy being around the place as much as I can and sharing this journey with their 30 aunties.

And on a return to the game she loves?

“If I’m fit and feeling like I’ve still got something to give, I’ll try and get back for the next season.

“That’s the aim at this stage but I have to be realistic about how much I can bite off.

“I won’t do it just to prove a point.

“I’ll get back as soon as I can, but not at the expense of enjoying the special time ahead.”

Daisy Pearce will be on Game Day, Sunday at 10am on Channel 7.

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