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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Was this such a terrible thing to do? AIBU?

120 replies

Kymmi · 09/05/2023 12:01

This concerns my friend since childhood. We got together a few years ago but I ended the relationship late last year for a few reasons but also because my feelings were platonic rather than romantic. I initially pushed for us to have a break from each other, mainly for his benefit as he obviously still had feelings for me but he forcefully insisted we remain friends - according to him now because I’d said I wasn’t interested in dating which was and is true but he never mentioned this at the time.

A few weeks ago, after I’d done him a favour, he started interrogating me about my love life. I was honest and admitted that I’d hooked up with an ex which resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. As fate would have it, the abortion was booked on the day of a mutual friend’s funeral.

We had already planned to travel together so I messaged and explained I’d need to leave after the service as I had a hospital appointment and would therefore travel to the funeral by myself. He insisted that he could still take us and that he’d take me to my hospital appointment as well and that he hoped we’d spend the day together after (which we did even though I really wanted to be on my own to process). He asked what the appointment was for so I lied about the reason and explained he couldn’t come with me (which was true) but took him up on his offer of a lift, partly because I knew from experience that he wouldn’t drop it.

He’s furious with me for not telling him the reason for my appointment and said if he’d known I was pregnant, he wouldn’t have taken me or done a couple of other favours for me at the time. I’m really hurt that our friendship appears to be conditional on me not sleeping with or dating other people and I’m equally angry that he expected me to consider his feelings first at a very traumatic and upsetting time for me.

For context, shortly before we got together, I had another termination (same ex) and my friend was fully aware and insisted on taking me to my appointments so I assumed he’d be ok about it as he was before. However, he sneered at me that he’d now taken me to two abortions which really stung as I could hear the judgement in his voice, even after I’d told him I’d found the whole thing traumatic and was still processing it all. For further context, he’d been on a date and not told me about it but apparently that’s not the same as I don’t have feelings for him?! It’s true I’m fine with him dating but the double standards bother me.

Was IBU to have let him give me a lift to the hospital? I feel like he’s massively overreacting- it’s not like I was secretly having a baby and he was taking me to my maternity appointments, it was just a lift for a medical procedure but he’s acting like he’d done me a huge favour that I brought about by deception.

OP posts:
Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 09/05/2023 13:35

He is weird. And no friend.

Time to ghost the fuck out of him. Drop him like a turn on fire.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 09/05/2023 13:35

Or even a turd.

CalistoNoSolo · 09/05/2023 13:36

AllOfThemWitches · 09/05/2023 13:16

You are not pro-choice.

How tiresome. Yes I am pro-choice, but using abortion as contraception doesn't sit right with me. I would never limit any woman's right to have multiple abortions, even every month if that is what she wants, but I would think she's an irresponsible idiot for not using proper contraception.

AllOfThemWitches · 09/05/2023 13:37

whynotwhatknot · 09/05/2023 13:34

Ffs what is this the american anti abortion thread

its got fuck all to do with him hgow many abortions youve had and why-its notbodies business and noone should judge you

Indeed. 'I'm pro-choice but,' just bugger off, we don't need to hear why you're OK with one abortion but not two. What kind of messed up thought process 😆

Kymmi · 09/05/2023 13:39

Riapia · 09/05/2023 13:32

Did you not feel the slightest discomfort when he held the gun to your head whilst forcefully insisting you remain friends.
No alarm bells at all?

Yes, I felt very uncomfortable seeing him so distressed at the idea we should take a break. I have real people pleasing issues and it feels intolerable to cause someone I care about such pain. It’s probably why I’m struggling with this so much because he’s so angry with me but I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone, just doing my best in a shit situation.

OP posts:
AllOfThemWitches · 09/05/2023 13:40

CalistoNoSolo · 09/05/2023 13:36

How tiresome. Yes I am pro-choice, but using abortion as contraception doesn't sit right with me. I would never limit any woman's right to have multiple abortions, even every month if that is what she wants, but I would think she's an irresponsible idiot for not using proper contraception.

How tiresome indeed. Two abortions in 5 years is 'using abortion as contraception?' I mean, surely it would be closer to one a month if you really were using it as contraception.

Comtesse · 09/05/2023 13:43

None of this is any of his business.

Irritateandunreasonable · 09/05/2023 13:45

Kymmi · 09/05/2023 13:29

Just to clear up a couple of points - I’ve had two unwanted pregnancies in 5 years, both caused by contraception failure.

I didn’t know my friend had feelings for me until around the time of the first abortion. Even so, he never actually told me, he just hinted heavier and heavier until I got the picture. In hindsight, I feel like he manipulated me into a relationship but I know the decision ultimately lay with me so I take responsibility for my part in it.

The hookup was a one off and nobody was supposed to know about it, it’s only after he got upset with me and started asking all the questions that I was honest with him after he said he had a ‘gut feeling’ that something had happened. I thought we were good friends, he secretly had a condition that we’d only be friends if I didn’t sleep with other people but failed to tell me that part.

You don’t need to explain your reasons for an abortion to anyone.

Irritateandunreasonable · 09/05/2023 13:48

AllOfThemWitches · 09/05/2023 13:40

How tiresome indeed. Two abortions in 5 years is 'using abortion as contraception?' I mean, surely it would be closer to one a month if you really were using it as contraception.

@CalistoNoSolo You’re not pro choice. Pro choice includes not dictating when, where and how often abortions are appropriate.

Her body her choice she doesn’t need to follow your moral compass.

Tiddlypomtiddlypom · 09/05/2023 13:52

So you’re ‘pro choice’ @CalistoNoSolo so long as women never find themselves in a situation whereby they actually need to access having an abortion?

It’s like the new “I’m not racist, but…” Fuck sake.

whynotwhatknot · 09/05/2023 13:53

Irritateandunreasonable · 09/05/2023 13:48

@CalistoNoSolo You’re not pro choice. Pro choice includes not dictating when, where and how often abortions are appropriate.

Her body her choice she doesn’t need to follow your moral compass.

hear hear

whynotwhatknot · 09/05/2023 13:54

AllOfThemWitches · 09/05/2023 13:37

Indeed. 'I'm pro-choice but,' just bugger off, we don't need to hear why you're OK with one abortion but not two. What kind of messed up thought process 😆

exactly

Velvian · 09/05/2023 13:58

He is not your friend OP. You need to cut contact. Time to start worrying about what you think of other people, not what they think of you.

WishIwasElsa · 09/05/2023 14:04

I can't believe all the pro choice people and there snide comments about OP's situation. I think maybe the friendship is done now. I wouldn't want to continue it given his comments.

Stompythedinosaur · 09/05/2023 22:02

Op, none of this is your fault.

It is absolutely understand able why you found it hard to say no to staying friends. I imagine he knew exactly what he was doing at this point.

I don't think he is carrying a flame for you, I think he believes he is entitled to control you.

You can have an abortion whenever you need to and not feel guilty. It is no one else's business. You can exercise your right of body autonomy as often as you like, and it doesn't get used up.

Iusedtobedontcall · 09/05/2023 22:15

This thread upsets me as I’ve had two terminations. One in my 20s and one for medical reasons after a positive screening for T21. Good to know there are so many judgy people out there.

AtrociousCircumstance · 09/05/2023 22:21

Just coming back to the thread to offer support OP. Hope you feel fully entitled to block him.

alwaysandforevernow · 09/05/2023 22:22

You didn't do anything wrong and your terminations are your business.

You don't explain how he came to know the real reason for the hospital appointment, what happened there?

I think that there is a lot going on in your OP, but what stands out to me is your obligation to have this man in your life, despite how he treats you.

It's ok for you to let go of him, to say no to him. To not continue being friends for his sake. To insist that you are travelling alone to the funeral etc etc etc.

You don't need his - our our - permission to do any of these things.

Spcd · 09/05/2023 22:28

I'm really sorry you've had this experience with someone you thought was your friend - and with some of the judgey arseholes on here.

You've done nothing wrong, he had no right to any information about your medical appointment. He quite clearly has not really been a real friend - he's just been waiting for you to agree to have sex with him. He's not a nice person, he took a shit time you were going through and made it worse - and about him. You need to cut him off, not because it's better for him (screw him) but you need to reserve your time for nicer people who will be real friends to you.

blackbeardsballsack · 09/05/2023 23:34

OP didn't ask what everyone on the forum's views were about how many abortions she has had.

I know you find it hard to assert yourself OP, but this man is trampling all over your boundaries and turning his problems into your problems. He cannot be a friend to you without also acting like your keeper and line manager, whilst also pressuring you to sleep with him, whilst also degrading you for sleeping with anyone else. Fuck him.

itsrainin · 09/05/2023 23:40

I’m not judging you for the number of abortions you’ve had, but honestly I think it’s information you should keep to yourself and not tell such a strange man who doesn’t take no from an answer from you. You might consider him a friend but so much of your post is weird and there doesn’t seem to be a boundary.

Habreathmint · 10/05/2023 00:07

You both sound bloody awful. I'm not judging for having 2 abortions although you do sound incredibly irresponsible. I also think you enjoy having this guy chasing you. Your attitude to the abortion is odd. You described it as a medical process but then say it was horrible and needed to process. You both sound toxic.

mrlistersgelfbride · 10/05/2023 00:19

I'm not judging you OP as I'm very much pro choice and I've had 2 abortions too(15 years apart , different men)... but come on OP. You need to sort contraception out. You don't want to be doing it again if you can help it.
The friend obviously has issues but I think you shouldn't hang out together any longer. It's not doing either of you any good.
Back away from this friendship and take stock of your own life. I hope you are ok x

ReluctantFishLady · 10/05/2023 00:33

I think this friendship has fun it's course. Neither of you is what the other one wants.

Smineusername · 10/05/2023 00:38

You need to get real. It was beyond nutty to involve him in either abortion and it is not and never was a friendship. It's a narcissistic sadomasochist cluster fuck. You need to examine your choices.