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I think my ex is abusive (pregnancy)

11 replies

LadyPorkPie · 06/04/2026 00:53

I was with my partner for 12 years, although we do not live together as we both have jobs in different cities. It worked well, I owned my house and he rented with a friend. We’d talked about children but it was a sort of always futuristic thing.

then I fell pregnant on the coil, and it exploded. He was furious. Angry at me, angry at the world even though it wasn’t anyone’s fault. He wanted me to abort, I chose not to and he ended our relationship. Said he didn’t want anything to do with the baby. blocked me. It was awful and so out of character. We are both 30.

After about four weeks, he came around after speaking to his parents. Said he wanted to be involved but still feels resentful. He came to my 12 week scan and refused to look at the screen. I’m now 14 weeks, we aren’t together but whenever I talk to him about the baby he shuts down. He’s told me he’s barely eating, sleeping and can’t function at work. I tried speaking to him about maternity leave as I’d started to save (I’ll only get marternity allowance) and buying a few bits. He got mad again and burst into tears on the phone and said “oh I guess you want me to give you money”. He earns over £60,000 a year and has around £1300 spare a month but has been putting this in stocks and shares. He said he can’t be happy about any of this. Feels angry and disgusted with himself?

I asked him if he truly wanted to be involved, and he gets upset if I tell him not to bother. I feel so trapped. He’s refusing to go to the GP, or tell his work for support. he says he wants to be involved and come to scans etc? But is beyond miserable?

It’s got to the point where I don’t know how to be or what to say because everything is triggering for him.

OP posts:
Frostynoman · 06/04/2026 00:55

You’ve got to focus on yourself and your baby now. Let him sort himself out and don’t allow him to ruin your pregnancy - it’s a special time

itsnotalwaysthateasy · 06/04/2026 00:59

He sounds like a man who is frightened that you are going to take his money away. Plus, he's not mature enough to deal with his results.

Temporaryname158 · 06/04/2026 01:00

You need to nip this behaviour in the bud now else he’s going to ruin every scan and all of your pregnancy with negativity and angst

he only got in contact when his parents told him to grow up.

stop chasing him. enjoy your pregnancy, give him the time and date and location of th next scan but no reminders, joint travel etc. keep it factual and simple. If he turns up great, if he turns up and doesn’t engage ask him to leave (in front of the sonographer), he may also not bother to turn up.

its not your job to mange his emotions or beg him to be involved. When baby is born do not put him on the birth certificate and give bay your surname. Apply for CMS and let them deal with everything.

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Temporaryname158 · 06/04/2026 01:03

I meant to add I am unsure if it is abusive but it is certainly manipulative and you should distance yourself.

he dumped you. Keep discussions to text only, baby focussed and do not engage above the minimum you are required to.

do not have him at the birth and plan to do this totally alon as he has made his real feelings abundantly clear. When someone tells/shows you who they really are, listen the first time

RaspberryRipple3 · 06/04/2026 01:14

He should have worn a condom then if he didn’t want a child. What a fucking pathetic waste of space he is. I wouldn’t be making any further effort with him going forward. If he chooses to be involved then ok, but you can’t force someone to be a parent and he’s obviously too much of a big baby to actually parent a child so leave him and his tantrums to it.

JMSA · 06/04/2026 01:25

God, he needs to fuck right off. You have the patience of a saint, OP Halo
Good luck to you and your baby.

Summerlilly · 06/04/2026 10:27

I know having a baby is scary, but dear lord he is being absolutely dramatic.

I would go low contact if I was you, you and this baby are important and the language he’s using to describe his feelings and the situation are disgraceful.
He can feel worried about the situation, but he doesn’t need to use that language or dump it on you.

If he comes to another scan and refuses to look at the screen again, don’t invite him back.

Make your plans, birth plan included without his participation. I suspect he’s probably going to blow up at you again and go MIA for a while.

Good luck with your pregnancy and enjoy it without his narcissistic arse behaviour.

jellyfish798 · 06/04/2026 10:30

itsnotalwaysthateasy · 06/04/2026 00:59

He sounds like a man who is frightened that you are going to take his money away. Plus, he's not mature enough to deal with his results.

This.
Think you'll be better off as a solo parent than dealing with a man child on top of everything else, sending strength x

Pinkissmart · 06/04/2026 10:56

He’s been really clear that he doesn’t want to be involved . Just, stop contacting him. You’re a mum now, prioritise looking after you and by extension, your baby.
This is not a good man

HermioneWeasley · 06/04/2026 11:00

Stop contacting him. Do not invite him to scans, appointments etc. do not tell him when the baby is born.

do not put him on the birth certificate

ignore sob stories from him or his family

do not allow him in your baby’s life until he’s show he can be a positive influence.

itsonlyafuckingbiscuit · 06/04/2026 11:05

Please don't try to be reasonable with this horrible and unreasonable man. I think he came to the scan hoping to find out you weren't pregnant. His mental health is his own issue to deal with. He has support, he's just ignoring it. Please cut all contact with him and focus on you and the baby. Just start a CMS claim when the baby is here. As others have said, give your baby your name and don't put him on the birth certificate. When your baby is here, you will be so happy that this waste of space has no relationship with your baby.

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