Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want him to be excited? Interested? Give a damn?

135 replies

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 13:56

I won't lie, my relationship has been pretty bad since finding out I was expecting. The partner took the best part of 4.5 months to finally accept and come round to the fact that this was happening, after originally doing everything to suggest we should terminate. The stress and hurt endured in these first few months was horrendous, but things have evened out a bit.

As my belly is really pronouncing itself now (25 +5) and the baby is incredibly active, I am often found to be squealing with shock/horror/fear and delight at all the new things I'm experiencing. We have been told our baby is going to be tall and was practically impossible to pin down during the scan because of the level of activity.

The only thing that is getting me down, is that my partner will make a single reference to the baby that's coming perhaps just once a day. There will be few to no attempts to touch my belly and when I invite him to either look at my belly or touch it because the baby is particularly active; he's just not bothered and says things like 'Yes, I've felt it before, you know!' - Like it's got old already... Or 'It feels different for you inside than it does for me on the outside.' This is making me feel very very sad.

I know money is a bit of an issue at the moment and he's working very long hours. But he ends up having to do these hours because he's not very good at getting up and at it and planning his days effectively. Not that I could ever tell him this, as Ive been unemployed for some time and now I'm pregnant, can't get a job - because who is going to employ someone who is 6 months pregnant?

The heartbreaking thing for me, is that I want to be excited. After the first horrendous months, I want to embrace what's happening and start to plan and perhaps get a few small bits in preparation. I haven't got a single thing (not that I know what I need). Not even a singular baby-gro or teddy. He has said 'it's too early'.. Like some dealer of doom. That perhaps the baby won't come/survive. That in some ways he's still in denial and the only time he'll be 'fit' for it, is when the baby appears. I know he's very single-minded in the fact that he can only focus on one thing at a time, else he becomes overwhelmed; so his work and how tired he feels is the most important and only thing.

It broke my heart yesterday when I saw you could get 4D scans in a very local clinic and said 'Ooh, look, do you think we should get one of these done to see baby's face?' and he shrugged impassively and said 'What for?'

I have two ruptured discs in my back, De Quervains in both wrists and suspected SPD. I'm trying my best to be upbeat through all this and still have space in my heart and head for a little joy at what is coming.. But with his consistent dismissiveness (for example, when my face fell nearly in tears after he said 'I've felt it before!' he replied with 'Oh come on now, don't go there'.. rubbishing my feelings) - I feel very lonely and alone in all this. There are days when I think I'd be better off doing this on my own. But I don't want to. I do love him. He's making me very sad and robbing me of the joy I want to feel.

Has anyone experienced the same?... Can someone tell me that it might get better when the baby comes along? How do I get him to invest and be interested in the meantime? Perhaps see how it matters that he takes an interest and that once in a weekend, rather than sleeping or slobbing because he's tired or hungover, he might himself suggest we go and buy our first baby bits together - something? Anything?

Any experience and advice gratefully received x

OP posts:
MissMrsMsXX · 28/01/2017 18:25

Just to alleviate your fears 4d scans are shit and all babies look the same in them.

I'm sorry he's not excited though xx

cansu · 28/01/2017 18:27

To be honest his lack of interest is crap. I would be thinking about going it alone. Do you have family who would help you and who might share your joy a little.

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 18:31

MissMrsMsXX - thank you, that made me smile! I had no idea whether we wanted one of not - just thought as it was on offer and to try and solicit some form of engagement, I'd ask him. Clearly he wasn't fussed... Good to know they're not that great though!

Cansu - sadly not. Very much on my own in this...

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 28/01/2017 18:42

I think you need to think about that old MN phrase "What are you getting out of this relationship?" because it doesn't sound as if you're getting much other than a male presence and his income into your home. He isn't supportive of you as a person, isn't supportive of you as an expectant mother, and appears to be extremely concerned with himself and what he wants.

My DH admitted to me later on that he felt a bit 'disconnected' from our unborn children when I was pregnant because HE wasn't pregnant and feeling the physical connection, whereas I was. But he was very excited about the idea of the children, iyswim. He attended visits, scans, felt the babies move, that sort of thing. He was happy and engaged in the process.

You need to think real hard. "Hope for the best but prepare for the worst"

madcapcat · 28/01/2017 18:53

Just wanted to add that I don't think anyone can predict exactly how people will react until the baby is actually here so I wouldn't be reading too much into things now - a friend's husband was HUGELY excited during her first pregnancy - encouraging strangers to pat her stomach buying all sorts of clothes and toys for both sexes up to about the age of 5 and yet when the baby actually arrived he couldn't cope. By the time the child reached his first birthday my friend reckoned his father had held him in his arms no more than 4 times.

The other thing that I think is relevant is that you say neither of your families are emotional either - if that's all he knows it may be very difficult for him to try and become someone very different.

Wishing you well anyway

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 19:05

AcrossthePond55 - wondering about that very point myself... Why am I here if I feel so bloody lonely. Because without him - I am alone? I don't know when people feel 'enough is enough'. I have a habit of giving 150% of myself to often get a poor 60% back. Maybe the fact there's another life involved now I'm starting to think 'hold on a minute, this just isn't good enough!' But he says the right things some of the time. I just wish his actions showed it... They don't.. and as the adage goes...

madcapcat - that's a heart breaking story indeed. As for families not being emotional - mine isn't present and yes, his,are emotionally closed off. I have often stated on hearing their responses to some things 'does that pass as excitement?' and he would confirm it does...Laughing.. because apparently the stoic hard faced attitude to things is apparently a cultural thing where his parents are from.

OP posts:
archersfan22 · 28/01/2017 19:09

PS I agree you're not missing anything with the 4d scan - I had all sorts of specialist scans with the consultant for medical reasons and that bit just made it look like a really creepy alien. I stopped looking when she did those ones after I'd seen it the first time because I really didn't like it!

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 19:11

archersfan22 - lol also good to hear! Don't want to think that my child looks like a creepy alien!

OP posts:
QuiteLikely5 · 28/01/2017 19:46

You have had some very harsh responses here op!

He is treating you like absolute shit.

You are quite right to start to question why his actions do not mirror his words - I'm sure you understand why - although this will be a hard painful truth to swallow.

Set the bar higher for yourself - you deserve more.

He isn't so tired that he can't share your joy - that is utter BS

You say you have no friends near by - once your baby is here you will meet lots of other mothers and make friends that way

In your shoes I would recommend that you leave the situation for a couple of weeks so that you can truly evaluate the situation. This will also give your partner a chance to do the same.

user892 · 28/01/2017 20:10

He doesn't sound like a very nice man, OP. Aside from his lack of interest in his baby, you've described how he is lazy, self-centred, often hungover and he's been happily living off your savings / money...

Throw spinal and pelvis pain into the mix and his behaviour and comments seem absolutely cruel to me.

I'm sorry, I couldn't mentally put myself through hoping someone so emotionally neglectful will change.

It's not his decision whether you stay together. You are in control of your own life x

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 20:11

QuiteLikely5 - thank you so much for that. Yes, given the circumstances, I thought that a bit more empathy may have been a bit more forthcoming.. as opposed to on occasion, a forensic breakdown of every word that had been written. When, as we all know, you can't encompass everything, every experience and nuance in one single post without it reading like war and peace.

However and saying that, I am not a sympathy hound, but have, despite being left smarting at certain responses, appreciated some of the different views. They have certainly made me think and question.

Trying to remember to be objective because of the snapshot I have given and - quite importantly, taking into consideration that life isn't great at the moment and that I am a hormonal mess!

Thank you for the reassurance that new friends will come. I hope so. This location was never what I would have chosen for us all, but his job dictated that and as I was not working, I was not really in a position to call the shots on that one.

As you say, there is a harsh reality here. I know that. I guess in someways I'm grasping at straws to hope that those who start off as utterly self centred and crap can do a 180 when the child is born.

Here's hoping, eh? x

OP posts:
Runningbutnotscared · 28/01/2017 20:20

I really don't think 'he's treating you like shit'

The op is asked by a hell of a lot from her dh just to accept the situation and then she is asking for him to be all singing all dancing happy and interested all of the time. And pay for expensive scans. Her expectations are too high amd she might get a better handle on life if she was realistic in her outlook.

As pp have said, being uninterested in her pregnancy is not a marker of a bad father. My dp was not interested in any of my pregnancys, went to no scans, and didn't make it to one of the births (caught on a work thing). He wasn't that interested in the tiny baby stage either, although he did his bit. Now they can talk and run around he is the best father. 100% interested, hands on dad.

I preferred to look on it as my special time with my children. During pregnancy and bf is the only time in their lives when they will need me and love me alone. I wouldn't have swapped that for the world.

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 20:26

user892 - 'I'm sorry, I couldn't mentally put myself through hoping someone so emotionally neglectful will change.'...

Couldn't have put it better myself. This is the truth of the matter. I expected and hoped for so much more.

I have gone from a competent and fairly accomplished human being who wouldn't have put up with a bar of this... to a broken down, bordering on decrepit lonely person who is looking for a ray of light. Yet again as with most things in my life, I'm going to have to dig deep and find the reserves to do this on my own and not let it break me.

Hard to take reassurance from the fact that in a short few weeks I'll be responsible for a new life. As was once said in the film 'Rob Roy - 'the bairn will have you and you will have it'. It feels so scary a prospect.

Although I have no experience of such matters, I hope this is true. x

OP posts:
SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 20:27

Runningbutnotscared - For the record, I did NOT ask him to pay for the scan. I asked if he was interested in it... Big difference.

OP posts:
notsurehowtodothis · 28/01/2017 20:30

Maybe every second day, he'll come across as excited and say 'and the little Bean'.. or 'what does tapey (tape worm) desire to eat today?

Blimey, that's more excited than my DH was throughout my entire pregnancy with either of our DCs. He's just not like that. For him, it wasn't real until the baby was here, mainly because yes, bad things can happen in pregnancy and he didn't was largely trying to protect us both by having the mindset of 'When we get there, then great.' Sounds cold and odd to many, but he's just very practical. He is an amazing Father and adores his children. He wasn't that emotional about the baby stage either although he always pulled his weight. But now they're toddlers he feels he REALLY is involved. Not all men are going to be bouncing off the walls with excitement because no matter how hard you try, they can't experience pregnancy and also much of the early stuff that comes after birth either. It doesn't mean they aren't. I'd say just get on with it and stop trying to make his 'emotions' happen. If you force it, it will just make it worse. Leave him to it.

Good luck and I hope it all works out x

notsurehowtodothis · 28/01/2017 20:31

As pp have said, being uninterested in her pregnancy is not a marker of a bad father. My dp was not interested in any of my pregnancys, went to no scans, and didn't make it to one of the births (caught on a work thing). He wasn't that interested in the tiny baby stage either, although he did his bit. Now they can talk and run around he is the best father. 100% interested, hands on dad.

This. 100%

user892 · 28/01/2017 20:33

You sound so strong... I'm sure you can do it. Can you move home for family support around the birth? Your spine can be so vulnerable to further injury in the first few months...

Bluntness100 · 28/01/2017 20:33

He is treating you like absolute shit.

snapcrap · 28/01/2017 20:40

Another voice saying my dh was not excited about the pregnancy and nor was I - even though we both very much wanted a baby. I couldn't stand people touching my bump . Our hearts nearly burst when our PFB arrived Smile.

I think it might be chicken and egg with you two, the more disinterested he is, the more you talk about the baby, the more he withdraws. I also agree you are only 25 weeks along and there is no need to be getting anything ready or buying stuff and a 4D scan. Maybe just sit back a bit and try to relax about it all if you can.

I wish you all the best and hope this all works out for you and he falls in love with his baby Flowers

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 20:46

user892 - going to give it my best and sadly, no family around. x

Bluntness100 - I agree and appreciate not all men want to /can be involved and only get to grips with things post birth.

However, there are a lot of circumstances preceding my situation that warrant, at least, a better level of care and compassion from him than i have received. His words are at best disingenuous - based on the fact that in my eyes, he has an awful lot to make up for.

I am not bouncing off the walls like some complete loon, bashing him over the head with exclamations about my pregnancy experience. Nor am I bleeding him dry. Nor am I expecting miracles. Just, a bit of empathy and compassion? The assumption that I'm in some way expecting way too much from the man I have committed my life to (that keeps being repeated) is frankly getting tiresome. I need him to be engaged. He isn't. What I now do with that, knowing through feedback that he'll change after the birth or he won't, is a matter for consideration as to my next course of action.

If some women are willing to put up with that situation - then good for them. Im sure everyone has a story to tell and I hope and can only conclude that their relationships were so happy to start with that the disengagement didn't matter.

Bottom line, it matters to me. For my position in this relationship and for the security and peace of mind for the life WE are both bringing into the world. Whether he likes it or not, it took two to tango. If he doesn't want it - truly doesn't want it, he shouldn't have said what he's said to the contrary.

OP posts:
Runningbutnotscared · 28/01/2017 21:00

As myself and other pp's have pointed out, some men don't see pregnancy as particularly important. A baby's not a baby till it's actually here, and therefore it's a waste of time and energy engaging with the subject until the right time.

If your dh took up, hang gliding let's say, and you couldn't care less except to worry about the cost and the time and how it would affect your own life, how interested would you sound about it? Sure, your a nice person, you love and want to support your partner, but your level of engagement is going to be low. The odd 'how's it going?' and move on.

My dh needed to see that his children needed him before he really got 'engaged' with it. He did his bit of nappy changing and childcare, but when they could interact with him on a level he was comfortable dh really loved it.

I love my dh and was willing to give him time to come round. I trusted that he would get there. You seem to not want to give him time? He has to adjust on your timescale because you are lonely and it's not panning out how you had hopped.

He may never come round but don't you want to see if he does?

SanitysSake · 28/01/2017 21:19

Wow.. likening a pregnancy to a hobby... Interesting.

'some men don't see pregnancy as particularly important'

Maybe we (he and I) work on a different level, but we considered the event of a child being born between a couple quite monumental. In our particular situation, this becomes even more impactive, when we never ever in a million years believed it would happen to us.

Yes he's shocked/fearful/ad infinitum/ ad nauseam...

But so am I, too.

I feel like I've been sold a lie. He might not be happy.. but he talks a good game. He talked a good enough game to make me stay. Now I'm left here feeling diminished and disillusioned.

I'm hoping for the best and fearing the worst. Not unrealistic, given the circumstances.

OP posts:
NarkyMcDinkyChops · 28/01/2017 21:24

You can't make him be excited or interested when he isn't. It all sounds like an awful mess, an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy, you're unemployed and he's working long low paid hours, you have no friends or family near so you're very focused on him...I can't imagine being in his position.

But he's still there, still working, still trying. Could be worse.

Patriciathestripper1 · 28/01/2017 21:27

Sorry op but he just dosnt want this baby because he is obviously still too much of a baby himself.
It would be decision time if it was me, either get on board or get the guck out and go it on your own.
How will you feel when baby arrives and he still isn't interested and starts going out every night?
And don't think the child won't pick up on his negativity as it grows. Imagen growing up with a parent who dosnt want you?
I would start making plans to go it alone if I were you because all I can see from your post is yeRs of unhappiness, sorry.

Owl1011 · 28/01/2017 21:34

OP - I'm not by any means religious but these are wise words that will only work in your favour...
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.

I hope it works out for you and good luck Flowers