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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
hoddtastic · 31/01/2017 12:29

I would leave her. She sounds awful. The situation sounds awful. I would want to minimise the impact of the dysfunctional mess upon the kid by not bringing it home to a war zone.

BertieBotts · 31/01/2017 12:35

Scaremongering advice about "needing" to stay with her to be in the baby's life is unhelpful too. It's not that difficult for a father to get access to his child provided he remains calm and reasonable and goes through the proper channels.

Legal advice would indeed be a sensible idea.

ajm77 · 31/01/2017 12:36

Thank you all for your messages. There are too many to reply to individually but I will attempt the GP/Midwife route and offer support. When this is suggested I know the reaction will be nuclear and I will have to leave regardless as she will never admit the underlying reason is her jealousy/insecurity. Whatever happens I will be ok and I will make sure my child is.Thank you all for your time and comments

OP posts:
Whippingpiccadilly · 31/01/2017 12:37

Good luck ajm Flowers

BillSykesDog · 31/01/2017 12:40

Trifle, staring at a wall for 12 hours?

I agree with you badabing in this situation I would stay until I could be sure the child was safe. That would be my priority. But you MUST speak to her GP or mental health worker.

Do you mind me asking, have you posted this on here because you know it's somewhere she posts and she'll see it?

All this rings a bell...

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 12:57

I would be careful about reporting her to get GP or midwife unless you believe her to be in acute need of intervention. Even if she has low level MH needs, a GP or midwife will screen her and she could very easily just tell them she is fine (lots of people cope day-to-day with depression and paranoia). It could easily end up with her using this reporting against you as evidence of you being controlling which, frankly, I would have some sympathy with unless she really does need immediate help.

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 12:58

BillSykesDog: It was 2 hours - otherwise known as having a sulk.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 31/01/2017 13:33

Trifleorbust - actually the OP did say 12 hours.

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 13:36

I know but he then said that was a typo.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 31/01/2017 13:42

Ah my mistake. Apologies!

BillSykesDog · 31/01/2017 13:55

Ah....only took 3 hours for someone to say he's controlling and this is all his fault..

Checkthisout · 31/01/2017 13:56

Best bet is to leave but offer full support. If she doesn't accept it and cuts contact then that's her choice but at least you are willing to be there for her and the baby throughout the pregnancy.

If she cuts contact and doesn't let you go to scans, apps or anything like that then unfortunately it's her sole decision....you'll just have to wait until the baby is born and take her to court which won't cost much at all, as long as you represent yourself.

I know it seems shit to not be there for all your firsts and all that however I'm sure you won't feel bad about it for long (my ex hasn't bothered for any off it &I doesn't feel guilty one bit!)

You can't stay in a relationship just for the child's sake, unwell or not.....she needs to seek help herself.

She may sound like a risk and abusive to you however I can't imagine she'd harm the baby, regardless of how she's being.

Footle · 31/01/2017 14:13

Does she come from a culture where people , including children , are often perceived as being witches ? It seems an odd thing to say if not.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 31/01/2017 14:28

Just out of curiosity, is there a reason why you're the only one working?

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 15:49

Footle: It's generic. It just means horrible woman.

ItsSoUnfairSoItIs · 31/01/2017 15:49

If she's 3 months wouldn't it be easier to have an abortion. It's the card I don't think anyone's mentioned. With MH issues and even in 2nd Tri it's a card she could still play.

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 15:51

ItsSoUnfairSoItIs: abortion isn't a 'card' - if she wants an abortion she can get one but what is the point in you suggesting it?

Trifleorbust · 31/01/2017 15:52

BillSykesDog: Hmm. Well, I don't think people should intervene in the healthcare of others unless it is urgent. The OP can say whether it is urgent, but he shouldn't be doing it unless it is.

Checkthisout · 31/01/2017 16:11

I'm going to assume by OP's post that this baby was planned.

It may be "easier" for op if his gf has an abortion so he can "sack" her off.

However, she makes the decision & clearly she wants this baby.

Let's be honest, whether she had the baby or not, op doesn't have to be apart of the baby's life.

badabing36 · 31/01/2017 20:00

I can't imagine she'd harm the baby, regardless of how she's being

I'm sorry I don't mean to be alarmist, but it happens, very rarely granted, but I wouldn't want to take that risk if I were the op.

The advice is the same for female victims of domestic abuse. Take your time, keep them sweet and make sure you and your kids are safe when you do eventually leave.

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