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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be so disappointed in my husband

555 replies

LetItRain88 · 29/09/2017 11:33

So a little over 3 weeks ago I had a horrific birth experience resulting in 4th degree tears. Lost bladder control which is slowly coming back and almost lost bowel/sphincter control but fortunately all seems ok in that department now thankfully.

Still in a fair bit of pain and got quite bad baby blues, but this seems to be subsiding thank god.

Husband and I have been married for almost 6 years, together for 7. We both work full time (me past tense until maternity leave is over). We own our house and wanted to have a baby so we tried and after a number of years I got pregnant Smile I knew it would be hard work, I was under no illusion, but what I didn't expect is to feel like I'm in this all by myself.

I now feel like I have a flat mate who occasionally picks up the baby for a minute or two but other than that doesn't have any interest in him.

I am exhausted naturally from generally having a baby, but the trauma of the birth and the resulting injuries mean I needed a little extra help- but I'm getting literally nothing.

He had taken two weeks annual leave after the baby was born, I presumed to spend time at home helping with DS. But he literally has gone to the gym every single day since the day we came home from hospital for at least 3 or 4 hours a time. If he's not at the gym he is having a nap(!!!!!). And now he's back at work he is still fitting in a number of hours each day at the gym around a full time job. If he decides to have a rare rest day he will spend that time sleeping, not helping with the baby or around the house.

He does cook dinners on the days he isn't on late shift but that was usually what he did anyway before the baby.

Even before he went back to work I've been sleeping in the lounge with the baby while DH sleeps in the bed upstairs. I didn't mind at first because I kinda just presumed that we could take it in turns to do night shifts. But I literally had to ask him if I could please have just one night in bed while he looked after DS (he wasn't at work at this point). He did get a bit huffy but knew he couldn't protest so agreed. I was so excited and thanked him so much so he knew how important it was to me and got myself into bed. He managed it until 4:30am when he came and got me saying it's better to get me now as DS would be waking up for another feed soon so I could just do that and then go back to sleep on the sofa. I protested saying please just let me sleep I need to rest but he got narky so I gave in and got up.

Since DS was born I have asked to sleep in bed twice and both times he got me up at 4 oclock/5oclock ish even tho the second time I asked him to please let me sleep until at least 6am (I'd have loved a lay in but could tell there was literally no point in asking).

I have literally been in tears crying at him this morning because now both DS and I also now have full blown colds. DS can't sleep properly, wakes up every hour or so and I have a massive head ache and sore throat and haven't been able to even wash myself for two days.

He is on late shift today, had a rest day from the gym and instead of saying to me I could have an hour to sleep while he watched DS he had himself a nice long lay in and long shower before getting ready and going to work. His response to my crying was to say "aw babes you're doing a great job". Which is nice of him to say, and he does say it regularly, usually just before he leaves to go to the gym again. But I need physical help.

He says "sleep when baby sleeps", which is easier said than done. I'm trying to get my baby back on breast too (long story to do with the 4th degree tears making it almost impossible to BF at first) and having to bottle feed, wash and sterilise bottles, offer breast to DS and also express. It's like feeding triplets as I'm doing three time consuming things at every feed.

And the house is disgusting. Trying to keep on top of it too while trying to remember to even eat is a task on its own while I have baby blues and pain from stitches and bladder control loss on top of minimal sleep.

I know house work isn't important right now but there is a standard of cleanliness I am not willing to give up on.

I say to him often "I need a bath" or "I've not had a chance to wash since yesterday" or something along these lines but he just goes "oh right" and brushes it off.

I don't feel like I'm expecting too much. An hour in bed here and there, for him to change a nappy for once, offer to do a feed while I eat dinner instead of letting it go cold, not even to run my bath for me but to just say "ok you go get in the bath I'll watch the baby". Maybe do the washing up!?

I mentioned it to him a few days ago that I need more help with the baby and that while I appreciate the gym is important to him his priorities need to change at least for a few months while the baby is so little and I am in such a state while I heal. He got immediately very defensive and quite angry saying he's stressed and it's his only release and he's not willing to stop going or go any less than he already does.

I know there's no point in talking to him about it again, I guess I don't even really know why I'm posting this, I just need to vent I suppose. I am fully at the end of my tether. I don't want to nag him I just want him to know already what is needed- it's not rocket science and he's a clever guy and he does already know, but it's like he's making a point of not letting the baby affect his life in any way.

My mum helps out when she can at the moment but she is moving back to America next week and I have no one else that can help nearby.

Anyway my industrial double breast pump has just been delivered and DS has finally nodded off so I'm gonna go milk myself.

Sleep when the baby sleeps...what a pile of bull Envy

OP posts:
tippz · 29/09/2017 17:50

Sadly, although some people will not admit this, many men are like this after the birth of a baby. All the baby work is the responsibility of the mommy surely? I mean THEY have to work! MOMMY gets to stay at home doing fuckall with the baby. Hmm

Most women I know have (or HAVE had,) a husband or partner who was useless with the kids and SHE had to do most of the donkey work, AND go back to work after.

Some people will come on soon and say what I am talking shit, and their hubzy does positively everything in the house AND looks after the babies!!!

Happens all the time doesn't it? NOT!

As has been said, the man in the OP will more than likely not change. Men simply don't change in most cases. They are raised to think that housework and baby rearing etc is the woman's work. Apart from telling him how pissed off and upset you are, there is nothing you can do really. In this case I really don't feel this man will listen OR change, and there is little you can do.

Sorry @LetItRain88 I wish you well, but unless you leave and take baby for a week or so and say you won't return unless he helps more, I don't see your husband really listening to you, and even if he DOES listen, it's unlikely you will see anything changing.

abigailgabble · 29/09/2017 17:50

i can't even read list of this it's just terrible. seriously, LTB. what an absolute waste of space.

HelenaDove · 29/09/2017 17:50

"But some men just can't cope with little babies"

Im a woman who has always known i couldnt cope with parenthood. Its one of the reasons im childfree by choice.

Funny how men who cant cope keep reproducing though.

SteampunkPrincess · 29/09/2017 17:51

but he completely missed the experience of seeing his first born baby being brought into the world. I think it may have affected him more than he's letting on. oh tell him to jog on, he sounds like a complete arse, how the fuck did men manage before they were allowed in the delivery suite

show him this thread, let him get a reality check and either shape up or fuck off

HelenaDove · 29/09/2017 17:52

I was also going to post about how female friends and female relatives always seem to be expected to step up but AF beat me to it. Smile

CopperHandle · 29/09/2017 17:53

OP, where are you based? I used to be a maternity Nanny and would be more than happy to come and help you (for free, obviously) if you need it/were comfortable with it.

dataandspot · 29/09/2017 17:54

Whatwouldgenghisdo

"

"most) men have NO idea when it comes to small babies"

This is absolutely true - and nor do most women, at the point of giving birth to their first child

But women are expected to learn pronto, despite all the disadvantages of being exhausted, injured, bleeding and hormonal at the time when they're learning. If a man was in that state, he would expect to take to his bed while his partner picked up all the slack!

This was an excellent post!

PizzaPlease · 29/09/2017 17:56

I had my daughter in 2013, not as traumatic, I'm sorry for that, but by planned csection due to being breech. Her dad barely helped when we got home, spent all his time playing Xbox. Made mess in the house and left it for me to tidy. Everything you've mentioned. And before my daughter was one I told him that if it continued I would leave because I already felt like a single parent. I really tried, but ended the relationship a month after my daughter turned two because nothing improved and he had become mean and heavily pressuring for sex I didn't want. At this point i could barely stand him. He refused to move out and lived with us until just after my daughters third birthday. It was toxic and a low point for me. Finally he left and now it's been almost a year. He's still a deadbeat, doesn't take care of our daughter properly and I'm about to take court action after mediation. Sometimes it just can't work. Now that it's just the two of us we're much happier, much better off. But that's my experience. Maybe he has a touch of the baby blues too? I bet the trauma scared him too. But he is definitely going about it the wrong way. Try again to sit him down and talk, and then I guess you have some hard thinking to do. Sending you hugs!

AnyFucker · 29/09/2017 17:57

Hey, Helena I see on another thread you have taken my LTB crown Smile

DamsonGin · 29/09/2017 17:58

I'll happily come round and kick his sorry arse into the far end of next week.

sunnydalegottobedone · 29/09/2017 17:58

He needs a stern talking too. You can't get well or it will take a lot longer if you getting zero support. & he is giving you the bare bare bare minimum and it's not good enough.

If he point blank refuses or just isn't capable of helping - then you are in reality raising this baby alone. Have a look at getting some home help in, get a quote and tell him he has to pay for it. As you do need practical help to get well.

I had SPD and a bloody awful birth for one of my DCs - I made a very swift recovery because my DH is a proper man & looked after his wife and baby during those difficult first few months. I can't imagine having done that on my own, he needs to man up and grow a pair. I feel for you, as it is difficult to stand up for yourself when you are feeling so crappy. If you can't, be truthful with your HV and see if she will speak to him, or get a relative to ball him out over it. Eyes need to be opened or nothing is going to change.

Sorry if the above seems harsh, but you can not go on like this, it's not good for your health.

dressinggown8305 · 29/09/2017 17:59

This is awful OP.

As others have said, get out. It would be better to go at it alone than live with a man who is treating you like this.

He has 0 respect for you or DS.

phoenix1973 · 29/09/2017 17:59

Leave him. Or end up miserable like me with a child who im constantly telling 'daddy does love you, he just goes fishing/xbox/asleep cos hes in a stressful job" whilst trying to be everything and failing miserably. Its no life, really.
What compounds this is my childs shitty demeanour at present. 11 going on 14.

QueenofLouisiana · 29/09/2017 18:04

OP at the start of your post I thought perhaps he was struggling to deal with watching you go through so much pain and suffering. By the end I'd decided he's being a selfish bellend. You need to be in bed, your baby needs to be in a cot beside the bed. Your H can either sleep with you both or on the sofa.

You need to be able to wash and keep your healing body clean and feeling fresh. He does not need to be at the gym.

Threenme · 29/09/2017 18:09

Op I'm usually a get on with it type but your husband is vile and disgusting and all that's in between. Asking to get in your own bed??? Tell him he's seeing to the baby tonight. Tell him if he dares to wake you before 9am you are getting in the car and he will be providing the weekends childcare.
Why can't you both sleep in bed?? When I had little baby's we slept in bed they slept in the cot and when they woke I either went down stairs or just put lamp on low. It never occurred to anyone to sleep on a settee. Dh did last feed at night and I went to sleep tell him he's doing this too! I'm quite tolerant but he sounds like a prize prick. Hope you feel better soon!Flowers

Threenme · 29/09/2017 18:10

Babies

septembersunshine · 29/09/2017 18:10

Op, move to the bedroom with the moses basket. HE can sleep on the sofa. You have been thought a trauma and need to recover. It's sooo hard without the rest.

Other then that I would be packing his bags. He is being a dick. His life hasn't changed at all has it? not one bit. This is not a loving partnership. No, he is taking you to the flogger's yard everyday. Where is the love? where is your support? where is any kindness at all? he is lacking in any basic humanity for you. WTF is wrong with him?

CAn you sit down with him and tell him how it is. Really lay it out and see what he says/does. Off the back of that I would act and fast.

zeeboo · 29/09/2017 18:25

OP, I haven’t read the whole thread so I don’t know if anyone has suggested this but do you think maybe because the birth was so horrific that he hasn’t bonded with the baby? He seems so loving to you, dancing with you etc that it would make sense that the birth and watching you go through that tear would be traumatic for him too.
Can you ask him about his feelings around the birth, and his feelings for the baby. He may need some counselling?
I’m not making excuses, he really should be more helpful and a better, more involved Dad but there may be an explanation other than the “he’s a bastard” one.

Sistersofmercy101 · 29/09/2017 18:32

zeeboo read the damn thread - HE WASN'T EVEN THERE AT THE BIRTH. So how can he possibly be traumatised by an event he completely missed??
I think that you'd be more concerned with OPs trauma instead of making excuses for the person supposed to support her who's absolutely taking the p*ss.Angry

Motoko · 29/09/2017 18:34

He wasn't even at the birth!

Lloyd45 · 29/09/2017 18:37

Who takes 2 weeks paternity and then goes to the gym for 3- 4 hours every day. I agree there is something else going on. How can he care about you and the baby if he does this.

Threenme · 29/09/2017 18:41

Zeeboo he doesn't need therapy he needs a rocket up his arse!

LoislovesStewie · 29/09/2017 18:45

I don't think he is being loving at all. If he was being loving he would want to care for her and be caring. I don't see anything like that happening at all. there is no kindness; no thought for her; no questions along the lines of 'tell me how to help', 'I know I'm useless but I really want to try to be better for you' . Fine words are easy enough but real love means working your socks off for the other person, and amazingly enough putting the other person first. If he can't perform now then he never will. There are plenty of people who have a partner with a long term debilitating illness who sacrifice much to be there for their loved one , they often work every hour god sends both out of the home and in the home. This idiot cannot even do his bit just after his baby is born; unless he gets his act together now I can only see more misery ahead. And he won't bond with the baby unless he starts to spend time with the baby, being a dad.

TheWernethWife · 29/09/2017 18:46

I had children in the late 60s/early 70s, my husband was not at any of the births, it wasn't really that common then. He still went on to become a fully involved dad. Don't fall for that OP, how do forces wives manage when their husbands are away for months on end.

AdalindSchade · 29/09/2017 18:50

Did he reply?

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