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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to expect my husband to stay after an emergency caesarean?

782 replies

RudaRudoRude · 30/05/2026 13:50

Name change as outing info before.
I had an emergency c section 3 weeks ago. Baby was 3 weeks early but fine. My DH has gone for the weekend to his parents for a large family celebration. I haven’t gone because I’m still really sore. I had the c section done with general anaesthetic as it was a real emergency they didn’t have time to do a epidural. I said to DH about him not going because I could do with help with the baby. I’m on my own and don’t have my own parents. His mum got upset so he’s gone there to the weekend party.
Now I’ve found out from a message from someone in his family who said to watch my back as my mil is implying that I can’t cope with the baby because I asked him to stay and he should look at leaving me and applying for custody.

I can cope with the baby, I was only asking him to stay because I really am sore and with having to do everything myself until Monday it feels a lot. I don’t know if I’m just hormonal or this isn’t fair. I didn’t think it was unreasonable to ask him to stay but was it?

OP posts:
JayJayj · 30/05/2026 18:01

BreakingBroken · 30/05/2026 14:47

I find it a bit odd to need this much help after 3 weeks.
Although everyone is different it wasn’t that long ago, mom’s c/s or not got on with home life from the day they arrived home. Husbands off to work the next day or so.
Yes times have changed but 3 weeks in, I’d be concerned and following up with the dr. if I wasn’t managing on my own.

🙄 just because women had to, doesn’t mean we should.

I had a forceps delivery and was struggling with fluid retention afterwards. I managed but, guess what, it was easier with help!!!!! 😱 shocking I know.

You don’t get any medals for coping “better” than someone else.

jannier · 30/05/2026 18:00

RudaRudoRude · 30/05/2026 14:22

The one thing I wanted to know is could he apply for custody on this basis? With his mum backing him? Would this even be evidence that I had asked him to stay?

Nope

Frostynoman · 30/05/2026 17:59

You’ve been woefully let down by your husband and in laws OP. Do not let them manipulate you to think otherwise. Keep a log of the interactions incase you need it in the future to show a history of abuse at their hands.
It is very normal to think you can hear your baby crying in the shower when they’re not - I had forgotten about that until you mentioned it. It sounds as though you are doing really well OP - don’t let them rock that belief

RiskyBiz · 30/05/2026 17:57

I'm sorry you've had all this stress and upset at such a difficult time. I'm really glad your leaning on your foster mum, please be completely honest with her so she can give you full support that your husband sadly is not. You shouldn't need to cope alone with your baby 3 weeks after a crash C-section, if your friends, foster mum or anyone judges your husband for his choices that is on him, not you. Don't hide how he's treating you.

Petrie999 · 30/05/2026 17:56

spendyspend · 30/05/2026 14:13

OP, you need to book in to your GP. Three weeks post op you shouldn’t be in so much pain that you can’t go to a BBQ, where you’ll be mostly sat down anyway.

Sorry but what??? It's not about being in so much pain that something is unbearable. 3 weeks post major abdominal surgery can still be uncomfortable for particular tasks, whilst walking or sitting may be totally fine. I also would not want to be taking a 3 week old to a weekend family event whilst still recovering. Both him leaving her at home and her going with him would be unreasonable to many people

RealEagle · 30/05/2026 17:55

To all the people saying “i was fine after mine i didn’t need any help”.Well good for you .The OP would like some help ,not to much to ask from her husband is it.Her MIL sounds like a bitch and her husband a mummy’s boy .Glad you got your foster mum coming round xxx

LarksAscending · 30/05/2026 17:53

Is he of a particular culture OP that might be informing his parents treatment of you?

Why would his parents insist he marry you but then say to divorce you? Bizarre.

JayJayj · 30/05/2026 17:52

I am so so sorry. You basically got forced into marriage because you fell pregnant. And your husband isn’t even around to support you!

He shouldn’t want to leave you if not necessary. And a party is not something that he needs to go to.

They are using words therapy words to make you look like the bad guy when it’s them.

Please speak to your health visitor or midwife. Tell them everything. They are there to help and try and get you the support you need.

I am so pleased you have a good relationship with your foster mum and that she will be there for you. I hope she can be there still when your husband comes home. It might stop him from saying things to you that he otherwise might.

I would very seriously reconsider this relationship. They will not give custody or even overnights to him when they are so young.

stichguru · 30/05/2026 17:51

Sorry to be blunt OP, but your DP would not have gone if he cared about you and the baby. He'd basically be like if mummy doesn't get this that's her problem.

Dollymylove · 30/05/2026 17:47

Glad foster mum is coming to your rescue. Give her a huge hug from all us mumsnetters who are rooting for you 💗

mycarhasnoaircon · 30/05/2026 17:41

BreakingBroken · 30/05/2026 15:03

@AgnesMcDoo i had 3 c/s. am a retired midwife.
i’m not an ignorant dick.

Unfortunately, it's perfectly possible to be a healthcare professional AND an ignorant dick.

Functioningdisaster · 30/05/2026 17:40

RudaRudoRude · 30/05/2026 13:50

Name change as outing info before.
I had an emergency c section 3 weeks ago. Baby was 3 weeks early but fine. My DH has gone for the weekend to his parents for a large family celebration. I haven’t gone because I’m still really sore. I had the c section done with general anaesthetic as it was a real emergency they didn’t have time to do a epidural. I said to DH about him not going because I could do with help with the baby. I’m on my own and don’t have my own parents. His mum got upset so he’s gone there to the weekend party.
Now I’ve found out from a message from someone in his family who said to watch my back as my mil is implying that I can’t cope with the baby because I asked him to stay and he should look at leaving me and applying for custody.

I can cope with the baby, I was only asking him to stay because I really am sore and with having to do everything myself until Monday it feels a lot. I don’t know if I’m just hormonal or this isn’t fair. I didn’t think it was unreasonable to ask him to stay but was it?

I had a c - section asleep as we were both in trouble. It was the worst thing I have experienced. I was emotionally raw for months after..

I can't believe your husband left you at 3 weeks in and at least not arrange someone to come and stay with you. You are at your most vulnerable and he hasn't put you first.

And who are these people telling you to watch your back. They should be telling MIL to fuck right off.

Hope you are ok op. Time is needed to heal - physically and emotionally. Xx

EuroNotVision · 30/05/2026 17:37

Listen to your FM, she has your back and also has had additional training to spot issues and be supportive. Listen to her advice and let her mother you

SlightlyTerrifiedButPolite · 30/05/2026 17:34

FateAmenableToChange · 30/05/2026 13:54

Your MIL is a disgrace, she shouldnt have even invited him under the circumstances, let alone insisted he go. And the update suggests shes a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Id be very upset if DH left me alone for a weekend 3 weeks after emergency surgery with a 3 week old. What on earth does he think he is doing.

Completely agree - MIL is a complete disgrace, that’s the only word for it

TheshadesofPemberley · 30/05/2026 17:33

Glad your FM is on her way. The thing is it shouldn’t be a competition. I’ve never made dh choose me or his family and he neither. We are lucky in that both our families are supportive and dh’s would have handed his arse to him on a plate if he done what yours did. Similarly if he had had an operation and I’d swanned off mine would have handed me mine.

best of luck.

Babyboomtastic · 30/05/2026 17:32

Recoveries can vary so much.

My first instinct is to get checked out by the Dr as your levels of discomfort are raising major red flags for me. Mine were planned sections, but past the first 3 days or so, if have been comfortable enough physically to do this if I'd wanted to.

Based on my recovery, if have either been going or sending him off with my blessing.

But, I've seen first hand from a close relative with a different surgery how much an average recovery time can vary, and how important it is to be guided by your body.

SassiestPants · 30/05/2026 17:27

Myself and my DH were invited to a very close and long time family friend's (of my family) wedding when our first born was 3 weeks old. I had a forceps birth with episiotomy so was still a bit tender. My entire family were attending this wedding and the groom's family are like family to us.

My mother and father offered significant support if we wanted to go.

I was not ready to go anywhere that involved any sort of inconvenience or stress. I thought I would be, but I just wasn't. I was anxious, still a bit sore, overwhelmed by the changes to my life and the weight of my new responsibilities and needed to stay home and look after my baby. My DH fully supported me and we didn't go.

Two weeks later he was due to fly to Spain to attend the wedding of two close friends. He had booked flights when I was pregnant with my full support. He ended up cancelling because I just wasn't ready. We were both a bit devastated but it's just how it was. He knew I needed him and didn't begrudge me or our son, that.

Your DH should have stayed OP, and you MIL should have fully supported you both. If it's true that she has said those things, then take care.

RosemaryRusset · 30/05/2026 17:26

Your foster mum sounds like a great person to have in your corner, I'm glad you told her what's going on.
Sorry your husband isn't standing up for you.

Sirzy · 30/05/2026 17:22

Glad you’re getting some real life support. Look after yourself

itsgettingweird · 30/05/2026 17:20

Lots of things here.

Firstly I an EMCS with my ds but would have been fine with my DP going to the party.

However you aren’t fine with it and so he should have said.

Well he did say but I wouldn’t blame your MIL for him going - that was his choice. He’s a father now. He needs to grow a backbone and make the right decision regardless of outside pressure. Unless of course he used that as an excuse to go and was pretending it was pressure from MIL? Either way the decision to go was entirely his - they didn’t kidnap him.

lastly it’s how that conversation came up. Why would MIL think you were having problems? Again your DH probably has a huge part to play in that and he should have loudly stated to everyone listening that she was wrong, you’re a great mum, he’s very lucky to have got away for the party etc.

MIL may be an overbearing witch. But your DH has autonomy over his own decisions.

SunnyRedSnail · 30/05/2026 17:14

RudaRudoRude · 30/05/2026 16:47

My foster mum is on her way. She was a bit cross I hadn’t told her and said she would stay with me if she had known.
I can’t give him ultimatums or demand he comes back because that’s what happened before when he was on holiday and I was ill asking him to come back. He and his parents said I was being controlling and abusive. I’m not fighting anymore for him to pick us. I will chat with my fm tonight about it.

That sounds like an excellent plan.

Talk it through with her. Listen to what she has to say.

Your DHs mum sounds cruel. Your DH married you, not his mother, so he needs to decide who is more important. He should never have chosen his mum over you and the baby.

JazzHandsYeah · 30/05/2026 17:10

I’m so glad your foster mum is on her way to help you. This made me so mad reading it.

Your dickhead other half needs to grow a spine. You and the baby are his family now, he should be putting you first and blooming protecting you from the mil, good lord she sounds unhinged.

Hope you get some good rest this weekend

thetinsoldier · 30/05/2026 17:09

Bless you, you sound lovely and you deserve a lot better. Your h is being pathetic and his mum is toxic. His priority should be YOU. His mum sounds like a nasty bully with that custody remark.

I’m glad your foster mum is coming over to support you - you deserve it. YABU to want your h’s help and support.

What’s he like when he’s home? does he do his share?

SnappyQuoter · 30/05/2026 17:08

sunnydisaster · 30/05/2026 17:03

No way would my DH do this after 3 weeks PP.
Your MIL sounds awful if this is true.

Your husband actually wanted to be married to you. My partner wouldn’t do this either, but again, we chose to be together (not married as I have kids from before so we don’t want to mix assets). But, we chose to commit to each other.

The OP is married for appearance’s sake. He didn’t actually want it marry her, and he is behaving exactly like that. She needs to get strong, stand up for herself and leave. Figure out the co-parenting and make sure she gets a job if she doesn’t have one.

sunnydisaster · 30/05/2026 17:03

No way would my DH do this after 3 weeks PP.
Your MIL sounds awful if this is true.