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AIBU?

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Handhold - unplanned pregnancy

63 replies

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 22:06

Been really stupid. DH recently adamant we are finished at 2 DC. I always wanted 3 but not if DH didn’t and not at the detriment of our current family.

Second DC is just over 1 years old. I am still breastfeeding but have switched over to a bit of bottles and a bit of boob. My periods hadn’t returned (they didn’t til 18 months first time around). Clearly you can get pregnant without periods, I hadn’t really thought too much about it as I was going to get contraception or push DH for vasectomy (I don’t really like hormonal contraception) when my period came back. It took over a year to conceive DC2 so I didn’t think we were particularly fertile. I’ve been stupid I know. Please don’t pile on.

i am absolutely dreading telling DH he will be livid and likely want me to get a termination. He is very stressed at work and our marriage has been rocky to say the least.

I am not against getting a termination but ideally I suppose I don’t really want one but I don’t want to put this baby ahead of my current childrens stability and happiness and my marriage and our family unit

just FUCCCK basically. I’ve been so distracted by life, how could I have the biology knowledge of an alien from space. I also don’t even know if I’m early on or far on? I felt incredibly sick and tired today and I don’t think that happened til at least week 8 last time but I can’t remember.

i don’t want to tell family or friends for advice as I know everyone will think I’ve been incredibly stupid. I might call a pregnancy advice line. Just fcuk. I think I have one bestie I might call tomorrow.

dreading telling DH when is the right time? I don’t want to tell him when he’s grumpy or stressed. I also don’t think it’s good to just get a termination without telling him. Maybe he will be more understanding that I’m fearing. I guess it’s just the unknown.

OP posts:
cryinglaughing · 12/10/2024 08:24

It doesn't sound like you're certain your marriage is going to survive, regardless as to whether there is another child into the mix.
It's a damned if you do (keep it), damned if you don't situation, which makes your decision making even harder.

Get him told, let him mull it over for as long as he needs to, expect him to be shocked, just as you were.
You can't possibly decide what to do until he has had his input, which needs to be sooner rather than later.

Flickeringgreenflame · 12/10/2024 08:20

I know this is shutting the the stabledoor late but just in case it saves anybody else. If periods have stopped and then start again then you will have ovulated before that first period. So just because your period has stopped for whatever reason, other than being pregnant of course, don't assume you can't conceive. A gynecologist explained this to me in excruciating detail many years ago.

MoveToParis · 12/10/2024 08:18

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 22:24

I considered doing this but I’ve previously done something else vaguely similar and it came across as deceitful (rightly so) so I’m sort of against doing this. It seems a bit sly

I would definitely defend that decision, if it came to it, and I would be neither constrained nor constructive in what I said.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 12/10/2024 08:10

I know I'm just reiterating what others have said but it bears repeating - you were both having unprotected sex with each other so are equally responsible for conception occurring.

Do not go into this as "I'm so sorry this happened" as it was his fault as much as yours - and if he does respond poorly, it's worth waiting for him to calm down then pointing out this obvious fact!

Didimum · 12/10/2024 08:05

Excuse me? Your husband doesn’t want a baby, so why exactly is he content to have unprotected sex with you?

oakleaffy · 12/10/2024 07:32

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 23:00

Go this alone as in get a divorce? We would have to share two very small children 50:50, I can’t do that to them

If a divorce is likely, then don’t go ahead.
Unless you can be single parent for 50 /50 of the time to 3 children.
He needs a vasectomy.

fourelementary · 11/10/2024 23:14

I think some of the advice here is really good- especially not thinking of it as an apology or something you’ve done. Have a team mindset as you both caused this and can both address it.
and also the advice about allowing him to process before discussing- don’t react to his initial response. Perhaps make sure he is told at a time when he can have space and then agree a discussion time…
But if the marriage is Rocky be aware that either version of the outcomes could destroy it if you don’t talk and listen to each other and make a decision as a couple.

stichguru · 11/10/2024 23:10

Sorry you are going through this OP, but it takes two to tango. You've done this together and he has to take as much responsibility as you. This may, of course, mean that you don't agree, but you need to work it through together. Don't get too stuck on an option being or not being for you, until you know his views too.

Nothatgingerpirate · 11/10/2024 23:02

Then your existing family setup will likely have to be put first.
Sorry.

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 23:00

Nothatgingerpirate · 11/10/2024 22:58

Child free woman here, OP. I don't need to spell out what I'd do, but never got myself into this situation.
You say your husband is likely to be unhappy and that marriage has been rocky.
It's very difficult. Keeping the child is not gonna make it less unstable, however, would there be a possibility to go this alone? If not, better not to have another, in my opinion. Your body, your choice, but support is going to be needed in either way. Is he going to provide it?
🍀

Go this alone as in get a divorce? We would have to share two very small children 50:50, I can’t do that to them

OP posts:
Nothatgingerpirate · 11/10/2024 22:58

Child free woman here, OP. I don't need to spell out what I'd do, but never got myself into this situation.
You say your husband is likely to be unhappy and that marriage has been rocky.
It's very difficult. Keeping the child is not gonna make it less unstable, however, would there be a possibility to go this alone? If not, better not to have another, in my opinion. Your body, your choice, but support is going to be needed in either way. Is he going to provide it?
🍀

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 22:50

Dontlletmedownbruce · 11/10/2024 22:49

You just have to tell him asap OP. And then talk it through as a couple.

Sometimes I think its unfair when one person is breaking bad news and has a few days to process, but the other person is caught unawares and yet their initial reaction is observed and then analysed and criticised. What I'm saying is tell him then let him be for a while after you break the news, a couple of hours or a day so he can sort out his thoughts and feelings. Then meet a day or two later for a proper chat. You might go round in circles before coming to a conclusion on how you really feel so he needs that time too. It hasn't happened to me but I know many people with unplanned pregnancies who were initially upset but realised it was a blessing after all once they had some time.

That is so helpful thank you

OP posts:
Dontlletmedownbruce · 11/10/2024 22:49

You just have to tell him asap OP. And then talk it through as a couple.

Sometimes I think its unfair when one person is breaking bad news and has a few days to process, but the other person is caught unawares and yet their initial reaction is observed and then analysed and criticised. What I'm saying is tell him then let him be for a while after you break the news, a couple of hours or a day so he can sort out his thoughts and feelings. Then meet a day or two later for a proper chat. You might go round in circles before coming to a conclusion on how you really feel so he needs that time too. It hasn't happened to me but I know many people with unplanned pregnancies who were initially upset but realised it was a blessing after all once they had some time.

Pyjamatimenow · 11/10/2024 22:48

Should have worn his overcoat then shouldn’t he? He has no right to be angry at all.

Noseybookworm · 11/10/2024 22:44

OP stop blaming yourself, it takes two to tango and if your DH was that worried about another pregnancy, he could have used condoms! Talk to him but don't accept him blaming you. If the relationship is rocky, having a termination or having a baby won't make a difference - the relationship will only survive if both of you want it to and are willing to stick together through the rough patches. Please don't struggle with trying to work this out alone, talk to your husband. Ultimately, it's your body and you have to do what feels right for you.

2chocolateoranges · 11/10/2024 22:44

He needs to take some responsibility for this pregnancy, he knew you weren’t on contraception and didn’t use any either even although he doesn’t want another baby, so you are both to blame for the situation,

just tell him and then deal with it together.

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 22:41

seeminglyranch · 11/10/2024 22:37

Why would it be at the cost of your other children? Children gain a lot from having
siblings.
if you don’t want the baby then don’t have it, but plenty of people have a third baby and it doesn’t disadvantage the older two.

Because my husband would resent me and a toxic environment in our marriage. Or a divorce which wouldn’t be good for DC

OP posts:
seeminglyranch · 11/10/2024 22:37

Why would it be at the cost of your other children? Children gain a lot from having
siblings.
if you don’t want the baby then don’t have it, but plenty of people have a third baby and it doesn’t disadvantage the older two.

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 22:30

seeminglyranch · 11/10/2024 22:29

This happened to a friend of mine. Her parents gave him a stern talking to in the end as she absolutely didn’t want to terminate. The baby is now 13 and pushing 6 feet and apple of his eye and they are fine.
all sorts of outcomes are possible but don’t terminate a baby you would like to have. As others have said it takes two to make a baby.

I just dont want to have the baby at the cost of my current DCs

OP posts:
Pandasnacks · 11/10/2024 22:30

Remember this is 50% on him too, he's been having unprotected sex knowing he doesn't want another baby.

If you don't want an abortion, don't have one OP. And don't be fearful of telling DH, this is his equal fault/problem and you need to make sure he knows it and blames himself too.

seeminglyranch · 11/10/2024 22:29

I really would not go for a private scan beforehand as it’s clear you have been keeping it from him.

seeminglyranch · 11/10/2024 22:29

This happened to a friend of mine. Her parents gave him a stern talking to in the end as she absolutely didn’t want to terminate. The baby is now 13 and pushing 6 feet and apple of his eye and they are fine.
all sorts of outcomes are possible but don’t terminate a baby you would like to have. As others have said it takes two to make a baby.

Megamooch · 11/10/2024 22:25

MimiSunshine · 11/10/2024 22:23

Have you been poking holes in his condoms?

no thought not, you need to realise it’s not on you to not become pregnant. It’s on your husband to not willingly risk making you pregnant.

what exactly has he done to ensure that? Has he talked about booking a vasectomy and until then is he religious about using condoms?

also, no thought not.

so how can it be that you’ve tricked or trapped him?

you need to change your mindset. Then you need to tell him but do not allow this to be something that is solely somehow only your fault.

Thank you. Yes if I go in with a guilty mindset then of course the conversation will probably go badly

OP posts:
Megamooch · 11/10/2024 22:24

narns · 11/10/2024 22:23

Book a private scan and find out how far along you are this weekend, at least you'll have a bit more to go on when you tell DH

I considered doing this but I’ve previously done something else vaguely similar and it came across as deceitful (rightly so) so I’m sort of against doing this. It seems a bit sly

OP posts:
narns · 11/10/2024 22:23

Book a private scan and find out how far along you are this weekend, at least you'll have a bit more to go on when you tell DH