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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

physical fight with husband while pregnant

108 replies

HA22 · 18/01/2022 10:47

Hi all, I am coming on here for advice.
I am in my early twenties and have been married for just over a year. I am 12 weeks pregnant. Since September my marriage has been very awful and caused me loads of misery and distress. My husband shows me little to no comfort, constantly shouting at me, tells me its not his job to comfort me or be nice to me, ignores me when I am crying or visibly upset. He also gets annoyed every time I mention I am either upset or in pain as oppose to showing care or concern.

We live with his parents and i agreed to live with his parents before we got married. I did not know I was going to feel this uncomfortable at home. I feel like we have no privacy, we are in our room 95% of the time we are at home except eating and using the bathroom. I can't dress how I would like, can't cook what I can comfortable and just generally feel like I am trapped. I have expressed to him on multiple! occasions that I am beyond unhappy, constantly crying and want to move out as quickly as possible. I hate waking up, I hate going home after work and I am always avoiding being at home (so going to see my family whenever I can).
His father is very childish, stubborn and immensely controlling. He is also 'upset' at me for seeing my friend who gave birth after he told me to not go. I went anyways and he still doesn't speak to me, closes the door to whichever room he is in if I walk past and on one occasion refused to open the front door for me at night when the key was left in. My husband has convinced me that I am very emotional and have always been 'depressed' even before we got married and every time I cry or I am in pain, it is purely because of me. He has no ambition and no sense of showing any responsibility (just wants to play on his console and play football).

I have tired to talk to him and convince him to move out in multiple ways. His excuse is that his parents are old and need his care (they are both in their 50's and fighting fit and do more for him than he does for them). I told him we can find somewhere within a 5 minute drive, he can see them every evening and even stay over on the weekends, he doesn't need to pay any bills for our place because his is already paying all the household bills for his parents house (they are on benefits). but none of this has swayed him. Before I got pregnant he promised me that we would move out and he will start treating me better. If anything he has treated me worse.

On saturday, we went for a drive while upset and an argument started because i asked to say something nice to me when I was upset and he said he can't be nice to me when im like this (visibly upset) and that I am difficult and hard to be nice to. We started shouting at each other and I hit him first (like a backhand to the face) he reacted by punching, scratching and pulling my hair. It was all over in 30 seconds when he left the car. I went straight to my nans house who told me to report this as I am pregnant and yesterday I went to the house and collected all my items and have moved into my nans temporarily until I find a place. I have a good job, savings, a car etc so I have no issue relying on him or not being independent etc

I guess the question is, why does he treat me like this?
Am I in the wrong because I agreed to live with them?
Should I stop acting like the victim because I hit him first?
What can I do moving forward now that I am pregnant and not living with my partner?
Is there any way I should forgive him? (e.g. if he started apologising, buying gifts, showing love)

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 18/01/2022 12:07

@ChargingBuck

Are you from an ethnic background by any chance?

FFS.

Of course she is, @Twillow
So are you. So am I. So are the other 8 billion + humans on this planet.

Badly phrased but a valid point as many will come on saying LTB, get out, why did you move in with his parents? etc. If we're looking at it from a western-centric pov our answers may not be as helpful as they could be, even though the bottom line is definitely leave.
HA22 · 18/01/2022 12:10

Thank you all for your responses. I am aware I am not perfect but i genuinely do think I deserve to be happy ad free and live comfortably. I am from a BAME background and my home growing up was pretty toxic and I saw this as an escape. Oh how wrong I was. I know that he will never change and me asking that last question was pretty stupid.
I am determined to separate from him forever and start getting a divorce once the dust has started settling etc. I do plan on keeping this child as much as I dislike the father and the treatment I've received from him, I am not worried for how he will treat this child (if that makes sense).

I did report this to 101 the day it happened but made sure to say I hit him first etc.

Thank you all for the links, I will be sure to check them out. It feels really good letting this off my chest and get an outside perspective as I've only really told my family. I appreciate all your responses. He wasn't happy either during the marriage so I think us going our separate ways will benefit both of us.

OP posts:
whiteworldgettingwhiter · 18/01/2022 12:11

Looks like your h had inherited his caring side from his dad 🙄.

Your relationship is toxic. His parents are very toxic.

Abuse often starts or ramps up during pregnancy, so your h is following the 'rules'. I'd stay at your nan's and think about divorcing.

You and the baby will be fine.

Catastrophejane · 18/01/2022 12:11

Please forgive yourself for hitting him.

A few pps have suggested you’re just as in the wrong for hitting him. Of course, it’s not what anyone should do in a normal relationship, but this is someone who is stonewalling you and being abusive.

You hit him out of sheer frustration. Abusers love to push you to the point where you lose it. It gives them the perfect excuse to blame it on you.

You need to get in touch with women’s aid and speak to someone ASAP. They will be able to help you make sense of all this.

For all MNetters want to help, the best thing is to go to someone trained in supporting victims of domestic abuse.Contact a helpline today. If only to talk to someone.

Bluetrews25 · 18/01/2022 12:12

So pleased you are out. Your OP was chilling.
Please stay out. Never, ever go back to him, even living away from his parents. He will still be nasty to you. He doesn't like you. You are his property. (In his eyes)
Do you really want to continue with this pregnancy which will tie you to all of them for ever?
Think very hard.

ArabellaScott · 18/01/2022 12:12

I deserve to be happy ad free and live comfortably

Yes. 100%.

There are people out there who can help, OP. Your midwife/doctor is another point of contact. Sadly abuse often starts or worsens during pregnancy.

Laiste · 18/01/2022 12:12

This is THE time to escape OP.

Don't go back.
Don't go back and see ...
Don't wait till the baby is born and then try to get away.

No time will be better than now to get away and if you go back you will soon wish with all your heart that you had stayed away.

You've done the hardest bit, you just don't know it.
Well done :) Flowers

So much good practical advice on this thread.

Theunamedcat · 18/01/2022 12:14

Honestly I would not be comfortable having a child around this dynamic its not necessarily the father but the grandparents too its unhealthy

What if you have a girl? How would she be treated and if you had a boy? He could end up like his father

Think carefully

Laiste · 18/01/2022 12:14

What are your family saying about it, by the way?

PassingByAndThoughtIdDropIn · 18/01/2022 12:15

It doesn't even matter who did what to who and who bears blame. This relationship is a disaster and there is literally nothing in it for you or any child brought into it. You are blessed with options, and a caring family. Stay with your nan for now and never go back.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 18/01/2022 12:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Fatgalslim · 18/01/2022 12:17

He sounds like an emotionally abusive prick but you shouldn't have hit him in the face either. You'd be much better apart

FelicityPike · 18/01/2022 12:18

I also wouldn’t want my child around such people.
I wouldn’t trust any of them as far as I could throw them.

MorningStarling · 18/01/2022 12:20

I agree with all the people advising you to go for a termination, you're only 12 weeks in so there is time to fix things. You need to cut all ties with him. Having his baby will tie you to him for the next 18 years or so. It will be much better for everyone involved if you terminate the baby and divorce him. You need to get free from him, but above all it's unfair to bring a baby into a situation like this.

Skeumorph · 18/01/2022 12:22

If you are going to have the baby, make sure you arrange for someone you trust to be your birth partner - NOT HIM - not in a million years -just don't.

When you have had the baby, ideally register him/her immediately, before he knows the baby is born, and give the baby your surname.

You are married, so he will be able to get himself added to the certificate later, but he won't be able to change the name - the most he could do is go to court to get his name added/double barelled, but he won't be able to get it changed so the baby has his family name.

This matters - it's likely that he will not be the best or possibly most invovled father, and it will be easier for you sharing a surname and better mentally for your child - especially if their father's family continues to be as difficult and abusive to them (this is really likely - they will almost certainly be emotionally abusive to your child). It's possibly too that he'll simply not be a part of the child's life in which case it's also better that your child has the family name of the family they will grow up in.

MrMrsJones · 18/01/2022 12:22

Your 12 weeks pregnant, honestly terminate and get the fuck away from him. What an abusive man.

MondayYogurt · 18/01/2022 12:23

^I guess the question is, why does he treat me like this?
Am I in the wrong because I agreed to live with them?
Should I stop acting like the victim because I hit him first?
What can I do moving forward now that I am pregnant and not living with my partner?
Is there any way I should forgive him? (e.g. if he started apologising, buying gifts, showing love)^

Google and read Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft.

There is nothing you can do to change him. He chooses to hurt you. It's a choice he makes.

Out of curiosity, did he buy you gifts and shower you with love at the start?

StellaGibson118 · 18/01/2022 12:23

You say that you dont think he will be horrible to your child. That may be true but you can't know this, did you think he'd do all this to you? Even if he is a good father in the end, by having the baby it means you will have him in your life forever instead of being able to move on from this. It leaves you open to a continuation of any abuse he fancies flinging your way in the future. Trust me, I see it every day with my friends who are separated. The emotional abuse runs very high post-separation with children involved and there is very little help out there.

Comedycook · 18/01/2022 12:23

You're still so young and he sounds so vile.

If this was me, I'd have a termination, divorce him and have a fresh start with no connection to him.

However, it's not me and I wish you all the best Flowers

Lwren · 18/01/2022 12:23

Stay the fucking fuck away from him. Under no circumstances put him on the birth certificate or your life will be hell. Get divorced ASAP and concentrate on your baby.
I'm telling you this as someone who hopes you can learn from her mistakes.
No name on birth certificate and honestly just DONT initiate contact unless it's for a divorce.
I'm telling you this from experience and a place of love my friend, your 20s will be hell if you continue this.
Don't let your child grow in an environment such as this. He's vile, his family are enabling fuckers towards his arsehole tendencies.
Please for your baby, don't return, enjoy your child, make new friends and continue to be strong and have a nice life. You'll end up meeting someone wonderful who won't treat you like a needy pest, but you have to be strong RIGHT NOW, in order to get the life you've deserve.
If you get punched whilst carrying his child nothing will stop you being punched around his child either. Domestic violence is rightly now child abuse and let this sink in, you could lose your child if you let them grow up in this environment. Please don't find my words harsh, I'm being honest and want you and baby to live nicely without trauma and fear. Much love ❤

Moooning · 18/01/2022 12:28

If I were you I would terminate the pregnancy and get a divorce asap. Otherwise you will be tied to this horrible man and his awful family for the rest of your life.

thisplaceisweird · 18/01/2022 12:31

Why wait for 'the dust to settle' - that has no benefit whatsoever. Act NOW.

ChaToilLeam · 18/01/2022 12:32

Never, ever go back. In your position I would terminate. I’m sorry you’re in this position, love, but your whole life is ahead of you, you can be free of this horrible man and his family.

arethereanyleftatall · 18/01/2022 12:32

Good for you op. Well done on getting out. Good luck Thanks

CatJumperTwat · 18/01/2022 12:35

I am determined to separate from him forever and start getting a divorce once the dust has started settling etc. I do plan on keeping this child as much as I dislike the father and the treatment I've received from him, I am not worried for how he will treat this child (if that makes sense).

That's great, but you also matter. Having this baby will tie you to this man and his family for the rest of your life. They will always have a measure of financial and emotional control over you. They can drag you to court as many times as they want. They can drip venom about you into your child's ear. That's going to damage both you and the hypothetical child, whether or not they actually beat him/her.

Please think REALLY carefully about ending the pregnancy.