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Am I a terrible person?

15 replies

Alzo95 · 01/02/2022 15:12

Hi..
I need help. I don’t know what to do..
I already have a 4 year old who will be starting school this year. He wasn’t easy to bring up, I was a single mum through most of his years so I’ve had my fair share of breakdown moments.
I’m in a good stable relationship now and I really thought I wanted a another baby.. so we tried and right enough I’m now 9 weeks pregnant. When I found out I cried I was that happy and told my partner straight away so now he’s excited (this will be his first)
A couple of weeks ago the dread just set in.. I’m no longer excited. I’ll be honest with how I’m feeling I’m dreading having another child it seems? I just know
How much it takes over your life and how much dedication you need to raise a child and because I’ve already been there and done it now I’m not sure I want to do it again.. I’ve tried to talk to my partner he ended up in tears and says he’s already excited I can’t really change my mind now. Idk what to do… I want to go back to college or study do something for me and maybe create a new career and I feel like I’m going to be trapped having another child. My partner works a lot so I feel like it would just be me and my son plus this baby all the time. I just don’t want to be confined to that life.. what can I do?

OP posts:
Purpleraspberry · 01/02/2022 15:50

You seem very confused about what you want, and maybe you need to find out why this has came about? You obviously wanted another baby when you tried for it, and you said you cried with happiness and were excited when you found out, so what has changed? It seems a very dramatic shift in emotions.

Could it be pre-natal depression? You should discuss it with your GP (and involve your partner).

You can still study for a career with 2 kids including a baby. How would you feel if you had a termination and started studying and changed your mind about that? This is all very unfair on your partner. Imagine if he told you in the midst of your excitement that he was no longer sure he wanted this baby?

Speak to your GP and take it from there.

Alzo95 · 01/02/2022 16:13

Thank you for your opinion. I do understand I can still study and raise kids. I have done it previously but it’s the sleepless nights and the childcare restrictions and cost of them that worry me there.

I can’t tell you how terrible I felt once I tried to have the conversation with him and he started crying. I would feel the same as him if the tables were turned. I’m just so scared I’ll regret having a baby and then I end up resenting him because right now the only reason I’m still pregnant is because I know how much he wants this baby. I know that is terrible to say.

I did have really bad post natal depression with my first.. maybe you’re right about consulting a doctor. I will look into it.

Thanks again.

OP posts:
Purpleraspberry · 01/02/2022 16:28

I can't help but feel that you aren't thinking totally straight with how you have suddenly changed how you feel about it so dramatically. Especially given the fact you had post natal depression after your first. Pre natal depression is a real thing too, and you would be doing the right thing to tell your GP how you are feeling. Good luck

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Noisyneighneigh · 01/02/2022 16:35

It's human nature...the grass is greener on the other side and all that. It's because you know you are "trapped" for a little while. You're having a little panic. If you'd really wanted to study now wouldn't that have occurred to you before you started trying? There's nothing to stop you studying later. The baby will be a toddler before you know it.

Noisyneighneigh · 01/02/2022 16:38

@Alzo95

Thank you for your opinion. I do understand I can still study and raise kids. I have done it previously but it’s the sleepless nights and the childcare restrictions and cost of them that worry me there.

I can’t tell you how terrible I felt once I tried to have the conversation with him and he started crying. I would feel the same as him if the tables were turned. I’m just so scared I’ll regret having a baby and then I end up resenting him because right now the only reason I’m still pregnant is because I know how much he wants this baby. I know that is terrible to say.

I did have really bad post natal depression with my first.. maybe you’re right about consulting a doctor. I will look into it.

Thanks again.

You cried with happiness upon finding out and now you say the only reason you're still pregnant is because of your partner? Are you sure about that?
Singingtherapy · 01/02/2022 16:47

I agree you need to find some help with accepting the situation and planning how your life is going to look with a new baby. When you say you don't know what to do, do you mean you're considering a termination? I'm pro choice but I'm sorry, in this situation there's no way you can consider it. This was a planned pregnancy and your partner's feelings are every bit as important as yours.

Alzo95 · 01/02/2022 18:58

The fact you’re saying that scares me. So I’ve to have a baby I’m not sure how I feel about because my partner wants it? No matter how much I wanted a baby, if my partner felt the way I do right now he would be my priority. I think it’s hard for people to understand because nobody knows how awful I feel right now. Im not even sure creating this post was a good idea now..

OP posts:
Drunkpanda · 01/02/2022 19:02

You don't have to keep the baby.
You did want it for longer than you have not wanted it though, so I would take some time to consider!
Do you think your relationship will survive, either way?

HerRoyalHappiness · 01/02/2022 19:05

Youre not a terrible person. You're human. I'm willing to bet you're afraid if developing post natal depression again, and afraid of ending up alone with 2 children to care for.
When I was pregnant with my youngest I had the fear I'd develop PND again, and that my partner would leave me and I'd be a single mum, struggling with depression, raising 3 children alone. It was an anxious and scary time for me being pregnant. Add to that disability which made pregnancy extra difficult, I was a complete mess.
So I do completely understand how you feel right now but I don't think you really want a termination. If you did you'd have not felt so guilty when trying to discuss it, I think its a bit of prenatal depression and anxiety and your mind is running wild and you don't know what to do for the best.
Please speak to your GP or midwife.

lifesabitchandthenyoudie · 01/02/2022 19:11

I agree about the pre-natal depression; also it's understandable to feel anxiety if you didn't have a good time after your first (from the post natal depression); like a kind of ptsd. I've just put something quite negative on another thread about not feeling like I should have had children; but even feeling like that, I love them (and always did, even through some really hard times) very much and wouldn't change them for the world. Try to be gentle with yourself, talk to people and try to get some counselling. You'll be ok!

dunderstand · 01/02/2022 19:12

I think I understand how you feel. The reality sets in. Just remember that, it's not the same as first time around. You now have a supportive partner, right? My hormones were all over the place to begin with, so I can imagine this might be at play too. Give it a while longer, and if you still feel this way next week, think about talking to a gp.

hypeman · 02/02/2022 06:56

I understand how you feel to a certain degree. I have a two year old. I've been trying for another baby for a year on and off. It hasn't happened for so long I'd started getting used to the idea it was just going to be 1. Then BAM pregnant. We'd only had sex once that month and hasn't been 'trying' so whilst there was a chance I wasn't expected it.

I was initially happy. Then anxiety took over as I had a lot of bleeding. Then we finally got a scan with a heartbeat and the fear set in. What is it ruins my wonderful like with my current son? Can I really face those relentless baby days and not crumble and be a good mum for my toddler? What if he toddler hates the baby, or me? I've (non seriously) considered termination too. But the reality is I think these are normal concerns with having a second child.

I suffered terribly with pre and post natal anxiety and had post natal depression too. I was suicidal at my worst. I think that is playing a big role.

I finally plucked up the courage to talk to my husband about my feelings and he's been really supportive. We've talked about the practicalities and how we can work together to manage. What changes we can make and how we can prepare. It doesn't really matter if things work out slightly different because he's shown me there are as many solutions as there are problems.

I think a part of this is normal but you're feeling incredibly strongly both ways. You're hormones are all over the place. Whatever the situation you always have the right to chose but I'd really urge you to speak to someone, maybe even a counsellor and work through how you're feeling in a rational way.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I'd always urge you to speak to your partner, if you're going to have a baby together you need to become a team that hardship will not break. Trust him with your feelings and see if he can help or just listen.

BocolateChiscuits · 02/02/2022 07:13

Do you think it's more the baby and toddler years that you're dreading rather than the child years?

Because, as you know, those years end. Thank god Smile

What would studying and getting a career together look like once your kid is eligible for their 30hrs (or whenever significant childcare would be accessible for you). Could you start planning/plotting and preparing for it now?

If you start thinking long-term your emotional self might get the message that it's not a life sentence, just a bit of temporary curtailment, and feel a bit less panicked.

Also, could you start talking to DH about how you'll share care? You're assuming you'll just do it all like you had to do before. But this time could potentially be a lot easier with an engaged partner. Could he take on some night wakings? Could he cut down work hours or shuffle them to all be earlier so you get him home from work sooner?

TopCatsTopHat · 02/02/2022 07:34

I think you're probably traumatised from your first parenting experience with all its difficulties. It will be different this time don't worry.

hamstersarse · 02/02/2022 07:42

How is your trust in your partner’s ability to be a good parent and partner?

I hear fear of having to do this alone again.

Is he reliable?

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