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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:
Threenme · 29/09/2017 22:19

Today 21:06 Talith

Roomster101- expressing can take as long as breastfeeding, and with a dimwit spouse in the equation I'd be inclined to fling the formula tub at him and curl up and heal. New mothers need rest. She's getting fuck all

Completely agree I know for some bf is everything but I think this is a situation a mothers health should take priority. I hate your 'd'h op Flowers

SmashyCup · 29/09/2017 22:19

I'm so sorry he is treating you like this, he sounds like a complete waste of space! It's not on at all, your DS is equally his responsibility as yours. I can't believe he would just watch you struggle like that, especially after such a traumatic birth. If you don't put your foot down now then this is what it will always be like. Effectively you're a single parent!

gillybeanz · 29/09/2017 22:33

I don't understand why you gave your bed up for him when you must have been in so much pain.
Why are you giving him any thought at all after he let you give your bed up and is neither a good husband or father,

Sorry, but LTB. x Thanks

Talith · 29/09/2017 22:34

She's knackered. It's not permitting as such, just surviving.

redsquirrel2 · 29/09/2017 22:35

For me the most worrying parts of your post were him not caring when you were crying and him getting defensive and angry when you asked him for help. OP this is abusive behaviour. You need to sit down and talk to him and tell him it has to change or he needs to move out. Can your mum come and stay for a bit before she goes to America?

midnightmisssuki · 29/09/2017 22:36

yikes - i would question if he was even in the gym. Seems an abnormally long time. Could he be seeing someone else?

Sorry you are going through such an awful time. Flowers

notangelinajolie · 29/09/2017 22:46

I might have missed smething but why is the baby sleeping downstairs? Why isn't the baby in your bedroom?

WhyamIBoredathome · 29/09/2017 23:00

I'm too tired to type a long reply right now, and I to know it's not the done thing on mumsnet but .
Raising a baby is hard, reestablishing breastfeeding is hard, and you need his support. I hope he sees sense and helps you out more.

AdalindSchade · 29/09/2017 23:08

The op sleeps on the sofa because it used to be more comfortable when she wasn’t pregnant, and the habit has continued. Baby sleeps there too because obviously

cricketqueen · 29/09/2017 23:33

He sounds like a twat. I had a c section and then ended up with a problem with my liver leading to jaundice my dh stepped up cause who else was going to. There is no excuse for him being a shitty parent.
You need to tell him that he has to step up no hints etc just tell him what you want him to do. As for the whole breastfeeding thing, I breastfed and my dh still helped, even if you don't express there are plenty of thing he could do. I fed my dd in the night then passed her onto dh to be winded and settled while I went back to sleep.
I can't believe anyone is making excuses for this crap behaviour he's a grown man ffs.

Frolie · 29/09/2017 23:45

I can totally empathise. I had a very trmaumatic birth with my first baby, 3rd degree tear with loss of control of my sphincter which took two years to heal, PPH and retained placenta. I spent 10 days in hospital and my baby couldn't feed. My husband took 10 days paternity and used it to paint the house, build a wardrobe and finish the kitchen. He was no help whatsoever and even had a massive go at me the first night I was home from hospital because my 'our' baby was crying!!!! I'd spent 10 nights in hospital nearly dying with a screaming baby. Needless to say, 7 years later I think I've married a chauvinist pig. So, all I can say is, I know how you feel and I'm sorry you're going through this. You shouldn't have to X.

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 30/09/2017 00:08

If he is in the gym 3-4 hours a day before the baby then what kind of relationship was it? When did you ever see each other.

WellThisIsShit · 30/09/2017 00:10

Many many gentle hugs
Flowers

Mrsborty40 · 30/09/2017 00:27

He's vile. Leave him. I know it's not easy but you'll regret it if you don't. 💐

Italiangreyhound · 30/09/2017 00:33

mex "But one thing the hospital did is talk through the whole birth with my notes and made me aware of just how serious the tears were - this happened maybe the four week after labour and it really really helped me understand what I had been through - I found it really helpful."

I think you have been through a lot like the OP and are very wise. I wonder if he process of going through the notes could be done with your Husband OP?

Londoncheapo · 30/09/2017 00:41

Missing the birth is no excuse!

Plenty of women miss the birth of their own kids (knocked out with GA early on---or they are adoptive mothers). They don't respond by neglecting their kids, in my experience.

guinea36 · 30/09/2017 01:06

Hey op
I had a somewhat similar experience recently- perhaps it might help.
Firstly I totally get the couch thing but obviously please make sure it stays temporary! A couple of months ago I had a c-section and like you I chose to sleep on the couch for a few weeks afterwards with DC in the Moses basket. That was just because it was easier to do feeds etc at night and for some reason wasn't as painful as rolling out of bed.
I think initially I was also a bit worried about disturbing DH but once I was able to move again I went back into the bed where I was more comfortable - I realised that any disturbance to his sleep was pretty minor compared to that of my own with all the wakings.
Next, I would really strongly second getting someone official, i.e. health visitor, midwife, GP to impress on your DH fully the severity of your injuries and how he needs to step up.
Possibly like your partner - and this is not to minimise your situation - my DH is not always great at empathy. He is a kind and loving man but things need to be spelled out to him sometimes.

In my case I am very grateful to our midwife who did just that just before I had the operation. He explained very clearly to DH that I would be in no fit state to do housework etc for a long time and DH really needed to pull his weight.
I hope that my DH would have done his bit anyway and would not have needed this pep talk - but I do think that hearing it from the mouth of an expert really helped get the message through. He has since been extremely good at taking his share of tasks and carrying the weight for me as I recovered. Long may it continue!!
Thirdly - this may not work for you - but I've so far done all the night feeds from midnight to 6am when DH is working. However DH has done final feeds of the day and the first at very early morning- giving me a few hours at least of proper rest in the morning and in the late evening.
Finally - when you're starting to feel a bit better from the birth make sure he gives you payback for at least some of the time he spends in the gym at the weekend. Just present it as a fair accompli. 'I am going out to xxx or with xxx, See you in a few hours'. You'll feel masses better.
Really hope that helps a bit xxx

ReanimatedSGB · 30/09/2017 01:27

This man has been aggressive and unpleasant when asked for help. He has insisted in pushing OP out of bed when she was begging him, in tears, to allow her another hour's sleep. One hour. And he wouldn't let her sleep. He has already refused to cut down his 'gym time'. He does nothing other than make patronising remarks.

There is no hope of him improving.

MistressDeeCee · 30/09/2017 01:32

My God...he has totally and blatantly opted out of family life
Doesn't do childcare
Doesn't do housework
Goes to gym regularly so he's out of the house away from you and baby
Makes sure his sleep and relaxation time isn't disrupted

& that he disrupts your sleep as he can't be asked to do feeds etc is abhorrent.

Your post set your situation and thoughts out so clearly. What would happen if you showed it to him? Would it prompt a discussion, at least?

But fuck me he's selfish. He will certainly see and be aware that you are shattered. He can see you need his help with baby and housework. Doesn't sound as if there's any respite eg you and he out together, even strolling in park pushing baby in pram is something

Where's your family quality time?

However you can re-assert yourself then do that OP. Don't let someone do this to your life. You matter, you are equal to him and he needs a reminder of that.Flowers

Catchem · 30/09/2017 01:52

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pallisers · 30/09/2017 02:01

Christ, I've just read Catchem and I think my husband must be a woman. fuck. Not only that but I suspect my dad was too.

Catchem · 30/09/2017 02:11

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bonjourbear · 30/09/2017 02:11

i have been where your DP is

Were you also down the gym for three hours a night while your wife recovered from 4th degree tears?

This man is not 'frightened' or 'overwhelmed'. He's a selfish fuck who wants the status of fatherhood without making any of the sacrifices.

The op needs to know that she's not being oversensitive, and that she really does have cause for complaint. This dewy eyed people-are-people type posts don't help

Catchem · 30/09/2017 02:24

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PressPaws · 30/09/2017 02:25

it's as much a shock to him as you yet your built for it he isn't

Bullshit. My vagina doesn't come with a built in baby manual. Nobody knows what they're doing with a baby at first. You adapt and learn by participating, not running away. Maybe he is a bit scared and overwhelmed, but the OP is doubly so, as well as being badly injured. He knows this. He ignores it. There's no excuse.

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