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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to expect more? Boyfriend prioritising his social life after I am pregnant

246 replies

Meccacos · 05/06/2019 09:39

I understand that I will get flamed for this, please be kind - I feel bad enough already.

8 months ago I met my boyfriend. He was separated (had been for a year) and had plans to divorce.

We almost broke up a few times due to his mood swings (fine one moment and then crying uncontrollably the next). I put this down to the stress of the divorce and we reconciled.

Fast forward to current date, I have fallen pregnant. This is despite me being on the contraceptive pill.

I am in a very very vulnerable position right now. I had moved in with a family member to pay off medical debt incurred after several surgeries in the private system (many of which were emergency, one of which was elective - but necessary for my health).

After finding out I was pregnant I have stopped taking medication prescribed by neurologist that has the potential to harm the fetus.

After much crying (mostly on his part), he decided that he would support me through this and we would raise the baby together. He said this by saying "don't get your hopes up but I think I want to keep the baby."

However, nothing has changed.

It's been a month and I am sick with severe morning sickness which can go all day and night and pain as a consequence of stopping my medication. Through all of this I have been working and living with my relative. I find it humiliating having pregnancy symptoms in someone else's house and feel utterly alone. I can't tell my relative as they are very religious with strong views on sex before marriage and abortion.

I can't continue living with my family member any more as it is becoming emotionally abusive (issues from years ago have cropped up and I am being treated quite badly). It is coming to the point I need to make a massive change.

I can't afford this pregnancy on my own. I am only receiving a part-time salary despite working full-time hours. I need to find a better paying job and move out; but I can't do that while I am pregnant.

In the last 24 hours I am seriously considering ending the relationship and the pregnancy over things that seem stupid when I type them out and I am hoping for some wise words from mumsnetters so I don't make the wrong decision.

This is what has enraged me.....

My boyfriend works away and returns on weekends. Last weekend he also worked, so I haven't seen him in over a week and a half.

He has now told me the nights I am permitted to sleep over at his house this weekend. I asked about why I wasn't sleeping over Friday night and he responded "as discussed" he told me he "might" see his friend.... which means he is going out drinking all night and I am not invited.

We have a medical appointment on Friday morning and a counselling session on Saturday. We still haven't discussed exactly what is happening, how on earth we will even try and make this work.

It's not just Friday night that has bothered me, he has randomly mentioned that his friend wants to go away on holiday with him - which means he is wanting to as well - he is just introducing the idea to me slowly.

We have not had one weekend away in 8 months. There has always been something in the way - family commitments or his divorce/financial settlement issues or he has been working or I have been recovering from surgery. But there were times we could have but it was never convenient for him.

Immediately prior to the counselling session on Saturday he made plans to be with his sister. We haven't discussed anything, we haven't planned anything and I feel completely disregarded and vulnerable. It has been two weeks between counselling sessions and time to put a plan in place - but nothing. I feel his words are empty.

One minute he tells me he wants the baby, the next minute he cries and says he can't go through with it. So I told him that he can pay for the termination. Suddenly, he's changed his mind. We are back on again. But I am utterly exhausted and angry.

I feel that for the past month I have been supporting him through this and feel emotionally exhausted and drained. I haven't had any support from him. He is on 2 to 3 times my salary I have been paying for all the medical appointments to date and he hasn't offered any money. I brought up the next specialist appointment and that I was concerned with costs and he said it was 'inferred' when he said he would support me that he would help with costs.

I am starting to hate him. I mean really really hate him and don't even want to talk to him right now. I honestly can't see a future with him.

I understand he wants to see his friends, and this is not what this is about. The last weekend he was back he also had a big night with "the boys" and I wasn't invited to sleep over. I thought he wanted space and I understood it.

It is his birthday in about three weeks and he has already told me what he wants. I am livid. He can plan time with his friends, discuss holidays overseas, presents for himself - but he won't tell me in what ways he is prepared to step up. Him scheduling me in like a whore this weekend has really cut me. It isn't about spending time with me, it's about when he wants sex.

My birthday present earlier in the year was a voucher for something I specifically told (in writing) that I didn't want - which was purchased online a day or two before my birthday. He can communicate what present he wants, he can organise his social calendar and I am waiting for whatever crumbs he can give me in respect to his time.

I feel so angry and disregarded. I don't know exactly that to expect, but somehow I want more and I am starting to hate him.

Has anyone been in this situation before? What should I do? How do I handle my feelings?

OP posts:
crispysausagerolls · 11/06/2019 11:50

I mean fuck off in a relationship sense.

Set out a very practical plan with him re the baby. Do not contact him otherwise. Do not engage with him romantically or sexually.

He is the father of your baby and will he held accountable for that but he should in no way be your partner or otherwise.

crispysausagerolls · 11/06/2019 11:51

I can’t get a new job now. I won’t have maternity leave if I go now.

This is silly. You have several months to save some money. Go and work in a cafe or equivalent for a few months if you don’t think an office will hire you.

Meccacos · 11/06/2019 11:51

AnchorDownDeepBreath

I do this without him by accepting his help with the medical expenses.

It makes no sense to leave now.

OP posts:
Meccacos · 11/06/2019 11:53

crispysausagerolls - I have a management job, with an office. I don’t need to work in a cafe. My city is expensive. I meant I can’t get a job paying over $100k while I’m pregnant walking around pregnant - no one will hire me.

OP posts:
Meccacos · 11/06/2019 11:55

Moralitym1n1

Yes, that’s probably why she divorced him.

He left but she wouldn’t reconcile.

He is going to take antidepressants now. He should have been on them before.

He is taking action.

OP posts:
Meccacos · 11/06/2019 11:58

Moralitym1n1

I think you’re 100% right.

She was at the end of her tether.

I also look back and wonder why he did all the “I want to have a baby with you” talk. He brought that up - not me.

OP posts:
Meccacos · 11/06/2019 11:59

@Jokie

I know, he does have the means & I guess I really won’t know until I move in with him next month.

OP posts:
crispysausagerolls · 11/06/2019 12:00

It sounds like you are in a better financial position than you were initially making out and you will be ok.

crispysausagerolls · 11/06/2019 12:01

I move in with him next month

I give up! Good luck OP

Meccacos · 11/06/2019 12:02

@crispysausagerolls

This wasn’t to make him settle down. He was already talking about a future together. We were on track.

OP posts:
Moneybegreen · 11/06/2019 12:05

Sad This is such a sad mess.

PotolBabu · 11/06/2019 12:08

You are moving in with this loser? Who just told you he isn’t over his ex wife? And who treated you like shit before?!

PotolBabu · 11/06/2019 12:09

How were you on ‘track’? This is an 8 month relationship where you broke up multiple times and where by the admission of your OWN OP he basically ignored you at will.
If that’s being on ‘track’ for a stable future then you are setting the bar abysmally low for yourself. And this baby.

Meccacos · 11/06/2019 12:12

@Potolbabu

He isn’t over her. But they are divorced.

OP posts:
BlueJag · 11/06/2019 12:12

I'm so sorry to hear you are going thru such a hard time. I fear that it's only the beginning of your misery.
You don't have financial or emotional stability. Also your health isn't good.
You can't live with your relatives long term specially with a baby.
Your partner sounds a mess and maybe he should be after a split.
If I were your mother I'll tell you to end the relationship and the pregnancy you can't afford either mentally and physically.
Take care and it is within your power to improve your life for the better but only if you focus on what's best for you long term.

Meccacos · 11/06/2019 12:14

@Potolbabu the counsellor told me something similar - that I needed to walk away from him.

I don’t want to abort my baby.

I want to do everything to keep him/her and have a healthy pregnancy.

I can’t have a healthy pregnancy if I’m stressed about paying rent or more medical bills.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 11/06/2019 12:17

Many women have a healthy pregnancy whilst experiencing stress. Confused
This man doesn’t seem to see you as a partner. Just a girlfriend.
You need to take him out of the picture for now. Can you manage alone? If you can and you want to then fine. If not then you need to decide what to do.
Have you spoken to a doctor about having stopped the medication you were on?

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 11/06/2019 12:18

@Meccacos Okay, so start being really clear that this is what's happening. Stop blurring the lines. He's paying medical expenses now and maintenance when the baby arrives, that's all. He's not a partner; it remains to be seen if he'll step up as a dad but I wouldn't count on it, then at least it'll be a nice surprise if he does.

Where will you live? Is there any schemes in Aus that will help settle you now before baby arrives?

Meccacos · 11/06/2019 12:18

@BlueJag

Long term my health and finances will improve.

Long term he will get over (or through) the aftermath of the divorce.

The baby won’t get a chance to live if I don’t give him/her the chance now.

It’s a terrible situation, but I’m not aborting him/her because it’s not convenient to me and because the father is being immature.

My mother died 9 years ago. I don’t have her to tell me this. I’m not strong enough to have an abortion. It would absolutely devastate me.

OP posts:
Meccacos · 11/06/2019 12:20

There’s no schemes. I earn too much. I’m capable of paying rent. I’m just trying to clear my debt first.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 11/06/2019 12:20

Stop relying on him long term. He’s not stepping up to the mark and supporting you. This is a relationship in the very early stages.
Can you do this without him? That’s the only logical question.

Meccacos · 11/06/2019 12:22

@Wolfiefan I saw a specialist last week about the drugs that I was on. She said I stopped in time and the baby will likely be fine. She didn’t even charge me for the consultation appointment. I walked out of the appointment and burst into tears. I thought she was going to tell me something horrible.

OP posts:
Meccacos · 11/06/2019 12:23

Wolfiefan

Yes, I can do it without him. It won’t be easy though.

OP posts:
Isatis · 11/06/2019 12:23

Well, it's clear that there is not future whatsoever with this man. It sounds to me as if the reality is that a pregnancy carries significant health risks for you given your medical history, particularly if he doesn't keep to the agreement to pay the medical bills. What would you do in that event?

Wolfiefan · 11/06/2019 12:24

Fine. Have some distance from him and do it alone then.

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