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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:
Costacoffeeplease · 29/09/2017 18:53

I don't buy the 'baby blues' and missing the birth stuff - he's a selfish twat that's all

Did you send him a message? Has he replied?

Capricorn76 · 29/09/2017 18:56

You (with injuries) and the baby are sleeping on a couch whilst he's in the bed? Did I read that right? Fucking hell! I've heard it all now.

LakieLady · 29/09/2017 19:12

OP, I've never been so upset on someone else's behalf as I was when I read your post. He's been just awful.

Reclaim the bed, have a long soak and an early night and tell him not to disturb you for anything less than the house being on fire.

Then read him the riot act. Tell him he's got to shape up and shoulder some of the burden of caring for your baby.

Talith · 29/09/2017 20:09

YANBUOK. Very practical advice from me. Mirror what he does. Little and often. If he pops out, very soon after, you pop the moses basket at his feet and TELL him you're popping out. Even if you walk around the block for half an hour.

If he has a nap, when he wakes TELL him you're having a nap. Pass baby. Go away from the pair of them and shut the door.

If you can - tell (not ask, TELL) him that you're going to the gym now. Leave moses basket and go. Go to the gym and sit on the nice couches in reception for half an hour. Or ideally as long as he'd be there.

My X was like this. I had to SHOW not TELL. Some people aren't able to get it unless they have to deal with it. It's partly a confidence thing. The more you just pass the baby and go away the more they'll figure stuff out.

The TELLING is just because they aren't asking so you need to demonstrate to them how being told or having no choices feels. I know it's crass but some people are so fucking dense it's the only way.

X is now mega hands on and a fabulous motivated equal parent. Also he's an X. Make of that what you will.

Talith · 29/09/2017 20:14

With your injuries you deserve the bed. Clearly.

YoureAnArseholeDenise · 29/09/2017 20:16

Oh op. Of course he’s going to say the right things. He knows it shuts you up and keeps you thinking he’s a nice person. Talk is cheap and easy.

He isn’t a nice person. He’s a selfish arsehole.

Awittyandmostunusualusername · 29/09/2017 20:30

I think you're all being a bit harsh. OPs DH is the perfect man apart from his lack of effort with the baby. Babies want their mummies and generally men don't have much experience with babies. They don't want their lives to change.

My other half lacked confidence and he'd never experienced looking after a baby. He did what he could housewise & cooking but his priorities are different . Long hard day but hoovering needs doing - me I'd push myself as I'd feel better that it's done. My OH - wouldn't see it needed doing and certainly if he was tired he would chilll. (We had a cleaner from about 3 month to 9 months old. Now I do it at nap times)

Now I'll say hoovering needs doing as he's not a mind reader ( and clearly is blind ) . Plus baby is out of thar newborn only wants mummy stage. So he's given option look after little one whilst I do something or do it himself.

I suggest find that daddy thing to build confidence. Bath time or swimming lesson on Saturdays for bonding.

OP your DH will learn to be a great Daddy some men just take a while.

In terms id showering etc I'd get baby into the bouncy chair and take in bathroom.

LadyintheRadiator · 29/09/2017 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blackteasplease · 29/09/2017 20:36

I also think the aspergers suggestion is offensive.

Even if someone with ASD is less likely to be a mind reader 're what you need/ want, you have asked him for help and he has refused. Someone with ASD would do what was needed once you asked them!

AdalindSchade · 29/09/2017 20:37

@witty that post was almost physically painful to read.

Sistersofmercy101 · 29/09/2017 20:38

awitty... Are you high?! 😮 Totally inappropriate comment and an attitude belonging in the neverever. Angry

Crunchymum · 29/09/2017 20:39

Really Awitty?

Perfect men don't let their wives (who have suffered horrific birth injuries) sleep on the fucking sofa.

Babies not wanting anyone other than mum is a complete crock of shit as well. Babies want their mummies to feed them (if breastfed) but there are plenty dad's can do.

bellasuewow · 29/09/2017 20:41

Op please listen to the wise words of many posters on here. Your story about your dh behaviour is unbelievable. It is straight from the 1950's. Please wake up to this behavior and find a way to get out. It actually sounds abusive hence the overwhelming reaction from posters.

MrsPinkCock · 29/09/2017 20:42

Flowers this is really awful to read. I was really poorly after a third degree tear so a fourth must have been horrendous.

My ex managed to stay up with the baby until 5am just to let me sleep. She was EBF so that was as long as she could last without a feed (4 hours). He was tired but he got that I occasionally needed a rest too.

He spent every minute with her after he came home from work.

What your DH is doing is not normal at all. He's a fucking arsehole tbh.

bellasuewow · 29/09/2017 20:43

Awitty I am sorry but your dh sounds like an incapable little boy that you indulge

HelenaDove · 29/09/2017 20:44

AF I am merely a LTB Princess.

You will always be the Queen Smile Thanks

Anymajordude · 29/09/2017 20:47

WTF Witty!? I hadn't had any experience with babies either but when I had one I bloody well got on with it and so did dh. We both had a very steep learning curve but we got through together. No excuses. If you're a parent you learn to parent.

HelenaDove · 29/09/2017 20:47

Awitty thats another reason im childfree by choice Because of enablers.

bonjourbear · 29/09/2017 20:49

This man is about as far from perfect as you can be, without falling over. I think I hate him more than any other man I've ever read about on here, and that is saying something. His behaviour is inexcusable

Italiangreyhound · 29/09/2017 20:51

OP please get your not so dear husband to set up a standing order for help with a reputable cleaning/nursery nurse or similar organisation for help now while you recover. Unless your finances are joint, in which case you set one up.

Do not sleep on the sofa. Your husband needs to realise he is on the way to losing wife and baby already!

Pandoraphile · 29/09/2017 20:52

I've PM'ed you xxxx

TheRealBiscuitAddict · 29/09/2017 20:53

Several issues here. Firstly, to those posters saying that the OP's DH was obviously always like this and she clearly didn't see it, that is incredibly patronising. Yes, the DH is behaving like an arsehole, but one of the things which OP has said is that he wasn't like this before which is why this has thrown her so much. None of us know the DH so it's not up to anyone on here to tell the OP what he was like if she's adamant that he wasn't.

Secondly, while I certainly wouldn't be giving much headspace to MH issues or ASD diagnosis, if this was a woman everyone would be suggesting that she perhaps had MH issues if she behaved like this. Sometimes it's MH, more often than not it really isn't and is more about ignorance.

OP, you need to stop telling him things like you need a wash or asking to sleep in bed. Just say to him "ok, I'm going for a shower" and then go. Tell him you're going to bed and then go. It's your bed too, you don't need his permission to sleep there.

And I am going to be flamed to hell and back for this, but you really ought to stop bf. while you're breastfeeding he just has one more excuse to keep bringing the baby to you. Once the baby's on bottles only you can leave him without so much as a word of expectation of your DH and he has no reason to bring him back to you for a feed or wake you in the dead of night.

It may be that this is the death nell of your relationship, or it may be that a tornado has hit the centre of it in the form of this little person, and given time, and some harsh words things may well come right.

Certainly if he won't listen then I would be reviewing my options, but if he does listen then don't let anyone tell you you should be leaving anyway.

Incidentally, leaving a relationship with a three week old baby and no support would be no picnic either and people are far too quick to suggest that on here as well.

mogulfield · 29/09/2017 20:54

talith has given great advice, I did something similar myself when my DH wasn't quite 'getting it'. After a night alone with my DS I suddenly had much more help and empathy! Make him walk a day in your shoes.

Italiangreyhound · 29/09/2017 20:54

awitty my dh had barely held a baby before he became a father. The birth by x section was no delight, but he stepped into fatherhood, a sick wife and potentially sick baby. As I said up thread he needed a push to get to the GP for tonsilitus meds but after that he managed fine.

HelenaDove · 29/09/2017 20:56

His "aww babes you are doing such a good job" How fucking patronising. And YY to words are cheap.

And being called babe or babes would make my teeth itch.

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