What if you can't take it easy?

I don't know what the consequences might be, but it seems like if you're advised to really take it easy, they don't say that for no reason. I understand that's hard right now, but listening to your body is also important. Maybe people around you can help?

Can't you look for temporary help with the housework? There's a chance it might even be covered by a home care agency since you both can't manage right now. You could call your municipality to ask about that. Or, if that doesn't work, try asking for help via a post on Facebook or Marktplaats until the birth. After that, you'll have maternity care anyway.
For the dog, maybe ask neighbors or use a dog-walking service.
And order groceries and Christmas presents online as much as possible!
Strength for these tough weeks.

Oh wow, that's really tough. Asking family and friends for help? Any help is welcome, of course. Temporary dog walking service? I also had a lot of back pain from lying on my left side for half an hour at a time with a pregnancy pillow under my belly and between my legs! Wishing you lots of strength and success in the coming days.

Thanks for the tips! I absolutely want to avoid a premature birth and lasting pelvic instability too! We're going to see who in our area might be able to help... our closest family is also dealing with quite a few health issues right now (Murphy's law!). I've already had to assist my husband enormously this weekend (helping him get dressed, showering him, giving him injections against blood clots, bringing things, making meals, taking short walks with the dog, doing small household chores, driving the car,...) and I'm already feeling it a lot! I keep getting one hard belly after the other and a lot of ligament pain. So we'll have to look for other solutions because this isn't manageable.

Can't you go on sick leave at work? If you can stay home, that already takes away the work stress, and you'll have more time to do everything at home more calmly. I think any doctor/gynecologist could write a sick note if you're already experiencing so much discomfort from pelvic instability and hard contractions. It also avoids the commute to and from work.
For groceries, Christmas shopping, etc.: order online with home delivery.

Pretty much, yes, but next week is my last week at work (last day is 21/12), so I'm trying to hang in there until Thursday next week. That way I won't lose any maternity leave after the birth and can stay with my little one for as long as possible afterwards.

We did all our Christmas shopping online, definitely. Especially with the weather we've had these past days Meanwhile, I can carpool with a colleague, we've contacted a dog-walking service for longer walks with the dog, and from next week my parents are also off work and will do the big shop for us. So we've got some extra help in place, which is already a big help.

It's exhausting, and the final stretch is always the heaviest, but we'll get through it! I also have to go back to the gynecologist for a check-up and monitoring on Monday anyway, so if things get too much they'll surely notice it there, right?

I'm thinking like too many hard contractions or something? Or that my baby is stressed because I'm doing too much?

If the monitor is good then I don't have to worry anymore! Which of course doesn't mean I can go back to full speed then. I'm 36 weeks in the meantime so taking it easy is a must anyway

Just had my 3rd pregnancy behind me. Had 2 kids under 3 running around here. Being pregnant 3 times in a short period is tough on your body, so definitely some complaints. Hard contractions all day long. Both kids still need a lot of care (bending, lifting, changing, dressing, etc.) and the oldest doesn't nap during the day anymore. The midwife said: "The advice is to rest, but you just won't manage that." What I did do was lighten the physical load as much as possible: let the kids do a lot themselves, mom helps with cleaning, dad does the shopping. I gave birth at 39 weeks and found it really tough from 35 weeks onwards. Especially those hard contractions. But the midwife said it couldn't hurt. It's annoying and tiring for you, but not bad for the baby. See what you can lighten and bring it up with your midwife. Sometimes rest is just advice, but sometimes it's really necessary.

Hi,
Here's another update. Last week I had to go on maternity leave immediately because the baby wasn't growing well enough. I immediately thought, "shit, this happens if you don't rest enough..."
On Thursday I suddenly felt very bad. I just wanted to sleep and had a very uncomfortable feeling. My husband drove me to the ER and they suspected pre-eclampsia. I had to collect a 24-hour urine sample. On Saturday morning I went to submit it, and on Saturday evening I had to come back immediately because it was indeed pre-eclampsia.
Now on Sunday 24/12 on Christmas Eve, our little boy was born. 3 weeks early but otherwise perfectly healthy! :-)
The low weight the gynecologist had estimated on Monday turned out to be 500g higher at birth, fortunately.
The pre-eclampsia has nothing to do with whether I kept calm or not. It would have developed anyway. Maybe it progressed faster due to the busy weeks before. But thanks to the delivery, all symptoms are gone, so I have all the energy again to take care of my little boy. :-)

Aww, so nice to hear that everything went well! And congratulations on your Christmas wonder baby hihi! Enjoy every moment with all of you now!