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AIBU?

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Please help - expectant Father with no idea what to do

95 replies

ajm77 · 31/01/2017 09:37

Hi there

I am hoping someone on here can help me as I am going through a difficult time and I need the advice of either pregnant or post pregnancy Mums.

My girlfriend is 3 months pregnant but her behaviour is driving me to the edge and I just don't know what to do.

We have been on and off for a number of years and in January 2015 I ended the relationship fully as a result of her behaviour. This was primarily around jealousy whenever I did anything without her. A particular problem was either going out with friends or catching up with female friends. The abuse I received was vile and even though there was absolutely nothing going on with these friends she would make my life a misery if I saw them. I ended the relationship after she cancelled me meeting her family for the first time because the night before I had gone to visit my oldest friend and his partner to see my godchildren and not been available to text until I left. I loved her very much but felt this was not what a stable, healthy relationship should look like.

Some 7 months later she got back in touch and I agreed to see if we could work things out. We talked and I explained my position was unchanged and I would not tolerate the false accusations, abuse and jealousy going forwards. I said I would not give up my friendships, male or female, and we agreed that she would meet these females. She insisted on it and I have nothing to hide so agreed.

Things went well and whilst there were the occasional flare ups around menstruation, I could handle this as it was 2-3 days of difficulty but otherwise she was very caring and loving.

We conceived last year and the first 3 months have been extremely difficult. It is like her menstruation behaviour is permanent and I have comforted myself with the fact hormones do go wild at this stage and been as supportive as I possibly can be.

However recently the frequency of her kick offs have been getting worse. She encouraged me to go out with a friend (male ) for a catch up which I did. She asked what time I would be back and I said I don't know, maybe 9.30 pm. I called and texted her 5 times to tell her I was overrunning and she ignored me. When I returned at 10.20 p.m. she refused to speak to me and then ripped the duvet off me. I pulled it back and she accused me of harming our child. She then refused to talk to me and stared at the wall for 12 hours before insulting me about my ex and leaving me for the day. She did not apologise. If she was not pregnant I probably would have ended the relationship.

Last Sunday she asked me if I would go out to dinner with a friend of hers who has not been very pleasant to her and who I don't think much of. I agreed and asked her in return if she would go out to dinner with my old housemate (female) and her boyfriend. She refused and has regularly kicked off about this person and demonised her for absolutely no reason.

Then the abuse started. She said I had chosen this woman over her and I said that was nonsense. However what she then does is sticks to her mind created false accusations and continually says them over and over even when I have given her information to the contrary. I consider this a form of mental abuse.

She then drove us home and sped ridiculously fast around the residential roads. I explained she was putting our child's life in danger and she said it didn't matter if she lived. She then went into vile comments about my old house mate inferring lewd acts and saying she would never be able to meet the child as she is a witch who will kill it.

I am at my wits end. I moved into her flat to make a go of it but she will not talk to me and keeps continually false accusing me. I feel that I have been duped as she has changed the agreement that we made when getting back together now she is pregnant. I also don't want to leave my child with someone who is this unstable. However I can't see any other way out than leaving. If I do I know she will make life difficult to see my child and I risk losing out on a bonding experience with my baby.

I have told her the behaviour is unacceptable to me and I feel she is ruining what could be such a special time. She refuses to put it right or apologise, she just continues false accusing and making it about the female involved when it is about the use.

My hunch is that if this was a female writing this the advice would be overwhelmingly to leave the relationship, however if you are a man it seems to be different as there is a stigma to leaving a pregnant partner, no matter how bad the abuse.

I am hoping there is someone out there who can help me and give me some advice. Any ideas please?

OP posts:
SickNotes · 31/01/2017 10:35

I am surprised people think she sounds mentally ill. She sounds like a jealous, childish person (how old is she?) but what in this is suggestive of mental illness?

Paranoia, delusions, extremely risky behaviour?

Penfold007 · 31/01/2017 10:36

Your on/off GF is an abusive, controlling and aggressive person. This is domestic abuse. She has already on many occasions shown you who she is, believe her. My advise is the same as it would be if you were a woman, get out of this relationship now. Your future support for your child can start when they are born. new.mankind.org.uk/ mensadviceline.org.uk/ www.hiddenhurt.co.uk/male_victims_of_domestic_violence.html these links are to three organisations offering support to male victims of DV.

ElspethFlashman · 31/01/2017 10:38

Do try to contact her midwife. Your partner may deny it till she's blue in the face, but midwives often have Spidey senses. They see a lot of antenatal mental health issues.

Of course some midwives are a bit crap. But she might have a good one. Asking for an email address so you can put your concerns in writing to them would also be a good idea. If it is writing they are more likely to act on it, as you can prove they were informed should her behaviour deteriorate going forward and they have a duty of care.

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 10:39

Paranoia, delusions, extremely risky behaviour

Erm... She is mildly paranoid about other women (possessive), not wearing a tin foil hat and imagining little green men are trying to take her off-world. What delusions? And she drove too fast in the car, once.

Am I missing something?

MN scares me sometimes.

CommonFramework · 31/01/2017 10:40

My hunch is that if this was a female writing this the advice would be overwhelmingly to leave the relationship, however if you are a man it seems to be different as there is a stigma to leaving a pregnant partner, no matter how bad the abuse.

My advice is to leave her. Abusive is abusive, no matter whether you're male or female. I'm sorry, OP. Your gf needs professional help. We can't tell whether her behaviour is affected by pregnancy or whether this is just her and she managed to keep a lid on it when you got back together. Either way, it's totally unacceptable and it's no way for you to live.

Can you speak to any of her friends about her behaviour? Has she always been like this? Can you talk to her parents about it?

Do you think she will be able to look after the baby? It might be an idea to get parental responsibility, see a solicitor, see what your options are. The baby will need you: you being a parent is separate to you being in a relationship with your gf. You don't have to be.

Good luck.

TitaniasCloset · 31/01/2017 10:40

Hmm, it doesn't sound as if you were genuinely in love with her in the first place. Or even like her. I'm not sure why you chose to conceive, but of course that doesn't help you now.

A lot of people will have trouble with their partner staying close friends with people of the opposite sex and sometimes friendships have to change for the sake of your relationship.

I think she needs to talk to someone about her feelings, it sounds like she is very distressed and needs some support.

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 10:42

To be fair, I did miss the comment about her saying the housemate would kill the baby, but that is the only part that makes her sound unwell rather than just like a dick. And I would need context for that comment.

BertieBotts · 31/01/2017 10:42

It doesn't matter if she denies it. You say something out of concern for her.

I wouldn't stick it out for six months. As said there are ways to ensure you will be able to have a relationship with your child. I think it would indeed be worth trying as far as you can to stay involved and to make your concerns known to the right services but that's probably the most you can do in terms of support. I would probably keep yourself out of it other than that.

SickNotes · 31/01/2017 10:43

Would you honestly describe saying that your partner's ex housemate will never be allowed to meet their baby as 'she is a witch and will kill it' as 'mildly possessive'? Hmm I do wonder sometimes about how normal it appears to be on Mn to police your DH/male DP's friendships with women.

Obviously no one can diagnose her over the internet, but in one sense, it doesn't matter why she's doing what she's doing, the OP isn't obliged to live with it.

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 10:47

SickNotes: Of course he isn't obliged to live with it, but perfectly sane people say all sorts of irrational stuff when they are in a temper. It doesn't mean she has deep-seated delusions and honestly believes this other lady wears a pointy hat and flies a broomstick. 'Witch' is a fairly generic insult. I have said the comment about her trying to harm the baby is a bit weird, but it could easily have been said rhetorically.

If she wasn't pregnant I doubt people would be so eager to diagnose her with MH issues.

TheProblemOfSusan · 31/01/2017 10:53

Fwiw it is possible to be both mentally unwell and a manipulative, abusive partner. They obviously don't go hand in hand - the vast majority of mentally unwell people are not abusive - but it's possible in this case.

I would seriously make sure her midwife and gp know about how she's been behaving. It might be manipulation and meanness, or it might be illness, they need to know.

sarahnova69 · 31/01/2017 10:56

She might be simply abusive and controlling, she might be very ill. We really can't tell from here - however I do think there's a significant chance that she is the latter, one that can't be fully ignored, although it doesn't actually change the practical upshot that much (since OP can do very little if she refuses assessment or treatment).

I think you have to leave her, OP - although as PPs suggest I would speak to her midwife and/or GP to say that you are worried she is mentally unwell and that this may put her pregnancy at risk. Whether she makes up stories or not, whether she is unwell or just abusive, you will then have done pretty much all you can do. This isn't normal, it isn't hormones, and you can't live your life in the hopes she will snap out of it.

Eliza22 · 31/01/2017 10:56

I don't think she's mentally ill. I think she's possessive, controlling and abusive. OP, your life with her will not be good but, BIG but....you now have a baby to think about and out first.

If she weren't pregnant I'd say "run for the hills" but, at best I think you can support and be involved in your child's life and make the most of what clearly, is a mistake. What about her friends and family? How do they think things will pan out? Are they supportive?

It might be worth seeing a solicitor. 1) For advice as a soon to be absent father (if you leave) and 2) To make an official record of her abuse. Later, when your child is born, depending on her ability to safely parent a child, you may need to step up and go for custody. Sorry to be so pessimistic but, I have a feeling your child will be used as a bargaining tool against you.

I have seen this several times.

2014newme · 31/01/2017 10:59

It's all very dramatic, all this "putting child's life at risk" which you both accuse eachother of.
This relationship is not working out. Call it a day and concentrate on being a good parent to the baby.

lilyboleyn · 31/01/2017 11:02

OP, you sound like you're looking for reassurance for a decision you've already made. Before the pregnancy, the relationship was hard. Once the baby is born, things will get even harder, and it sounds like the mother will quite happily use the baby as a weapon against you.
Whatever happens, you must make sure your name is on the birth certificate to protect your legal rights. Seek legal advice now in case things go wrong. It's better to be prepared.
Hormones can go wild during pregnancy. I was an emotional wreck. This may well continue after the birth for a period as well, particularly if she's breastfeeding (hormones). She may need additional support from the mental health midwife team.
Only you can decide what is the best decision, but I really think you should take steps to protect yourself (and the baby) to guarantee your paternal rights. Unmarried fathers who are not on the birth certificate have no rights. Please bear this in mind.

specialsubject · 31/01/2017 11:03

Driving like a maniac is ok if it is only once? So hitting a partner is also OK if it is only once? Until it isn't...

Come off it.

Op, get out for your own safety and then get advice from there. I wish you the best.

Servicesupportforall · 31/01/2017 11:03

trufle

a Witch could kill the baby*Hmm

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 11:07

specialsubject: Did I say it was okay?

Fruu · 31/01/2017 11:13

I know someone who has psychotic episodes that acts like this and primarily has paranoid delusions. She's generally okay when she's on her meds but did drive her husband to depression and a breakdown before she got sectioned. If she's coming out with statements that are bizarre and don't seem to be grounded in reality, it might be MH issues. Regardless it needs reporting to the midwife or her GP or something in case she's a danger to herself or others.

Introvertedbuthappy · 31/01/2017 11:14

Personally I think that driving recklessly fast and saying that it wouldn't matter if she died and saying that old flatmate is a witch who would kill the baby sounds a bit more than 'mildly possessive' and I would apply that to male or female, pregnant or not.

I've said some stupid things in anger, like "fine, I'll never tell you how I feel again!" (cringe), but never said that it wouldn't matter if I was dead whilst doing something dangerous, or accused someone of being a witch, or anyone of wanting to kill my baby. But maybe that's just me...

Butteredpars1ps · 31/01/2017 11:16

I agree, I'm afraid that you are unable to remain in a relationship with this woman.

Given, what you have said about her behaviour, I would however be extremely concerned for your child, were she to be a single parent with no support.

I think you should alert her midwife and GP. You might also want to have a conversation with social care. If it came to it OP could / would you apply for custody?

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 11:18

I've said some stupid things in anger, like "fine, I'll never tell you how I feel again!"

Feisty!

No, seriously, people do some ridiculous things and are perfectly sane. Speeding is irresponsible. It doesn't make you crazy.

Introvertedbuthappy · 31/01/2017 11:22

So you think that saying you wouldn't care if you were dead whilst questioned about your speeding or accusing someone of being a witch with a desire to kill your baby is normal? Hmm
Okay then.

Introvertedbuthappy · 31/01/2017 11:23

Would love to see your threshold for considering if MH issues could be a possibility. No one is screaming "section her!", just pointing out that these things are outside the realm of what most would consider normal and perhaps explore this as a possibility.

sarahnova69 · 31/01/2017 11:24

Speeding is irresponsible. It doesn't make you crazy.

Going ten miles over the speed limit is irresponsible. Screeching round bends at a dangerous pace deliberately in order to terrorise your partner and saying it wouldn't matter if you died is abusive, AND possibly symptomatic of mental illness. Any symptom of mental illness by itself can occur in a mentally healthy person, but when they cluster together and/or are extreme there is concern. Why not at least flag the possibility to the midwife?

Also, people who are mentally ill are not "crazy" and insane.