Metta World Peace and Wife Maya Are Expecting Their First Baby Together: 'Can't Wait to Meet Him' (Exclusive)

Metta World Peace is going to be a dad again!

The retired NBA player, 44, born Ron Artest, and wife Maya Sandiford Artest are expecting their first child together, a representative for the couple confirmed to PEOPLE. The new addition will be Matt’s fifth child as he is also father to sons Ron III and Jeron, as well as daughters Sadie and Diamond.

“We’ve been together for 12 years, so it’s been a long time coming,” the couple, who are expecting a baby boy, told PEOPLE of their pregnancy. “But to be honest, the doctor told me I might not be ovulating.”

“We expected it to take a while and that we might need to seek IVF, so it was definitely a surprise to find out we were pregnant just a few months later. We consider ourselves very lucky!”

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Metta World Peace and wife Maya.

Photo by Randi Roberts

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As she progresses through her pregnancy, Maya says it’s been a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions.

“The first trimester was an absolute nightmare. I was sick every day. I feel like women don’t talk enough about how brutal the first trimester can be, maybe for fear of coming off as ungrateful,” says Maya. “But I’m here to say that all women, the top three can be absolute s— and I think it’s okay to say that and talk about it.”

“The second trimester was a walk in the park compared to the first and now I’m just entering the third trimester and I feel big and uncomfortable. The back pain, heartburn, acid reflux and insomnia are no joke! I hear it gets worse from here on out, Wish me luck.”

Although Maya has had a hard time dealing with the ups and downs of pregnancy, the mom-to-be has been lucky to lean on her husband, who she says has been “incredibly supportive through it all.”

Maya Sandiford-Artest.

Photo by Randi Roberts

“From cooking and bringing food to bed, to holding my hair when I was sick to suffering from pregnancy tantrums,” says Maya. “Pregnancy rage is something else!”

Metta tries to pitch in whenever he can to make the whole experience go smoothly.

“Honestly, she’s pregnant so I just help out when I can – in the wish department, massages and stuff like that,” explains Metta. “But she handled it like a boss.”

The couple wanted a few must-haves for their baby as they were celebrating their little one along the way.

“I had very specific inspo and a soft blue color palette that I wanted to reference, and Archive Rentals helped me bring all of my design visions to life so beautifully,” Maya tells PEOPLE. “Another must have was the really great food, drinks and vibes. Thanks to Alamode Catering, Prince Street Pizza, Hidden Sea Wine, Hermosa Brewing and LucBelaire, all of our guests raved about the food and kept the drinks flowing and the good times going goes all day.”

Maya Sandiford-Artest at her baby shower.

Photo by Randi Roberts

“It was a joint effort [and] three of my best friends worked tirelessly for weeks to pull this day together,” she continues of the shower, which was curated by Linda Luna of The Powerhouse Agency. “I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day.”

As they prepare to welcome their little one, the couple can’t wait to do some things with their future baby.

“I’m playing ball, just kidding,” jokes Metta. “I’m just excited to be there for the birth and all the early stages. I’ve done a lot of early years with my other kids so I’m excited to witness it all.”

“I feel like I’ve been worrying about all the things instead of thinking about what I’m most looking forward to,” says Maya. “Honestly, I can’t wait to meet him and hug him!”

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