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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Furious with husband. AIBU?

276 replies

TS45 · 24/08/2023 15:56

I’m so upset.
My husband and I have been TTC for 16 months with no success. After a very late period, I felt so hopeful, but it turned out to just be another negative test. My husband’s brother, who’s 2 years younger, is expecting a baby with his girlfriend, which they have been very open about in how easy they were to convince. I’m absolutely thrilled for them but I can’t help but feel heartbroken that it isn’t me, and it feels so unfair to hear all about an accidental pregnancy when I’m doing everything I can to get pregnant. So many close friends are also pregnant, and last night was a particularly heavy night of hearing, ‘we weren’t even trying, I’m so shocked’, from so many different people. Once home, I broke down. My husband asked what was wrong (he was out with me), and after I explained, he put his arm around me for about 2 minutes then got up and went on his Xbox. I was still crying and asked him if we could do something together, and he responded by saying he wants to play Xbox by himself. I reacted by getting up and telling him I’m going to bed then, and then he got annoyed and said I was ruining his evening by making him feel like he can’t play on his Xbox. I told him he can play on his Xbox, but that I thought he would have wanted to do something together. He said that I shouldn’t use my heartache to guilt him into getting my own way. He then put his Xbox back on and I went upstairs to bed. I sobbed because I just felt like he didn’t care about me and I felt sad because of the complete lack of comfort. He could hear me crying but didn’t come up to bed until 2am (he started his game at 9.30pm).
when he finally came to bed, he asked me why I was upset, so I had to re-explain how down I feel about not being able to get pregnant. I told him I feel so alone when most women in my life are currently pregnant, and I feel like my life is on standstill. He then asked why I’m so upset with him because ‘it’s not my (his) fault you can’t get pregnant’. I explained I’m upset with him because he didn’t comfort me, and chose to sit there and play Xbox knowing his wife was in tears. He said he did comfort me because he put his arm around me. That was for 2 minutes and he stopped doing it to play even though I was still crying. He said he wanted to play Xbox and it’s selfish of me to expect him to not do what he wants to do.
This morning, he got up early to take our puppy out for the toilet. He then got ready and went out with his friends for a few hours. During this time, I watched our puppy, took our older dog out for an hour long walk, then took our puppy out for a 20 minute walk (our older dog pulls so much it’s impossible to walk them together by yourself). I then did work in our garden, cleaned the downstairs of our house, and made us both lunch. He came home and had his lunch then proceeded to lie on the floor with the dogs whilst all the plates, pans, and bowls were in the sink. I asked if he could help me with the dishes which he did. He then followed up by telling me to put all the dishes away because he’s washed them and it’s not fair if he washes and dries. I then pointed out all of the things I’d done whilst he was out and he said, ‘well I got up early with the puppy and you didn’t’. I normally get up early with the puppy. He also said I should have done the dishes because I made the lunch and therefore used the dishes and he didn’t. I’m now sat upstairs really upset whilst he’s sat downstairs. I just feel like he’s been so selfish yesterday and today. But I’m still really sensitive from last night. He also hasn’t asked me once how I am today.

am I being unreasonable or has he been quite selfish?

OP posts:
MWB29 · 24/08/2023 17:00

If you have a child with him he will play on his xbox just like he does now. You will be here asking for advice on how to get him more involved with the baby and if he gets up once in a blue moon to help you will use this as evidence that he does help. I can see how much you want a baby but he will remain this selfish when you have one. He sounds pretty poor, insisting his hormones are fine even if he hasn’t been tested? You will have to nag him to get those tests for months. How old are you? I think you really need to try and separate your longing for a baby and how much you want to be with him. You may be able to meet someone else who is less selfish and have your child with them.

TS45 · 24/08/2023 17:00

He didn’t go on his Xbox because he was upset. He didn’t even notice the conversations because I had to explain it all to him. He’s made it clear for the past year that pregnancy announcements don’t phase him. I know they don’t and his family know they don’t. He’s very bad at hiding feelings and will cry when upset.

OP posts:
Lorelaigilless · 24/08/2023 17:02

Crunchymum · 24/08/2023 16:49

Missing the point slightly but why are you having all the fertility tests?

Don't they usually ask for a sperm test to begin with as it's much less invasive than the tests the females has to have?

Came here to say the same.

Quickest and easiest to start with a semen test

HerMammy · 24/08/2023 17:02

You both sound immature, yes it's upsetting other ppl announcing pregnancies but sobbing for hours is a bit ott, do you ever consider his feelings about ttc or is it what you want.

2Hot2Handle · 24/08/2023 17:02

Wow, some of the comments on here are savage. OP, you’re right to feel upset that your partner dismissed your request for comfort when you’re in pain, even if he’s in pain himself.

The comments about whether to have a baby with him aren’t helpful. You know better about whether or not he’s right for you as a father for your child.

If I were you, I’d talk to him about why he has behaved the way he has. Is he in pain too? He might be projecting his anger and frustration about not being able to fix this situation on you, by saying you’re being unreasonable, when really he’d behave differently, if he had the answer. If the answer is, he just doesn’t care, that’s a bigger issue.

Good luck with the tests you have coming up. I hope they lead to a solution for you.

DaftyLass · 24/08/2023 17:03

Having a bay is your priority, clearly, but just as clearly, it is not his.

TheAOEAztec · 24/08/2023 17:03

Brutally, I can see pattern.
Dog so badly trained it pulls so much, yet you get a puppy.
Husband so blase about everything and what appears to be lazy, yet you want to add a child.
Neither is great

Iateallthechocolate · 24/08/2023 17:04

How does he know it's not his fault you're not pregnant? Has his sperms been tested? They usually want to do that first as it's easy and non invasive. Don't just get tests for you, he also needs testing

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 24/08/2023 17:04

TS45 · 24/08/2023 17:00

He didn’t go on his Xbox because he was upset. He didn’t even notice the conversations because I had to explain it all to him. He’s made it clear for the past year that pregnancy announcements don’t phase him. I know they don’t and his family know they don’t. He’s very bad at hiding feelings and will cry when upset.

Maybe he doesn't know what to say to you to make you feel better.

Brefugee · 24/08/2023 17:05

Imagine how useless he is now with you doing all the things, and then add a baby into the mix for whom he does zero too.

Don't have a child with this man. If you do, you know what's coming. Save yourself.

TedMullins · 24/08/2023 17:05

Why do you want a baby with this sentient dog turd? He sounds completely lacking in any empathy or emotional awareness, not to mention a lazy fucker around the house

TheAOEAztec · 24/08/2023 17:06

The comments about whether to have a baby with him aren’t helpful

They are because if it's a pattern OP will be back in 2 years crying again because nothing has changed and her life is just all housework, dogs and baby while husband is still doing whatever. As we VERY often see here.
If it's not a pattern, still worth considering because if he shuts down like that under home stress, thoughts and prayers with the baby.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 24/08/2023 17:06

TS45 · 24/08/2023 16:14

He didn’t recognise that I was upset because of the conversations we heard. He had no idea why I was sobbing when we got home so I had to explain why the conversations hurt me. I asked how he felt about it and he said he’s fine, and it doesn’t upset him seeing pregnancy announcements. It genuinely doesn’t upset him.
I’ve got lots of tests coming up. He’s been asked to schedule a blood test to see his hormone levels but he hasn’t done it yet because, in his words, ‘my hormones are obviously fine’.

You have several issues here, although IVF is the one which is weighing on you most atm. Are you both quite young? Not saying that is a bad thing, but You would both benefit from marriage guidance and financial advisor if planning a family. He's living in a dream world where you are the little woman servant. Xbox my ar**!

  1. Shared Household responsibilities. He asked me to put all the dishes away because he’s washed them and it’s not fair if he washes and dries. He said I should have done the dishes because I made the lunch and therefore used the dishes and he didn’t.

He ate lunch on a plate presumably. He sounds like a 5 year old. A very lazy 5 year old.

he's done his part because he got up early for the puppy which is normally your "job" -

This is utterly, utterly childish and entitled, ridiculous. Is he like this with finances as well.?
2) Emotional support
If he's OK, everyone else should be. Crack on then.
He doesn't seem to acknowledge your feelings. How much support will he give when you are ill or the children are ill or just need some help?
I asked how he felt he said he’s fine, and it doesn’t upset him ...He also hasn’t asked me once how I am today...

Incapable of sorting out important matters.
He’s been asked to schedule a blood test.. but he hasn’t done it yet because .. ‘my hormones are obviously fine’.
Presumably IVF is expensive and time-consuming and not something you do half-heartedly, yet he seems to be. What a stupid ignorant comment to make! How involved is he in the whole project? It sounds like he will go along with it as long as it doesn't inconvenience him. Children will massively inconvenience him.

Without wanting to upset you further these fundamentals need to be thrashed out or you will have an uphill task with a family that you are bearing most of the load for.

horseyhorsey17 · 24/08/2023 17:06

2Hot2Handle · 24/08/2023 17:02

Wow, some of the comments on here are savage. OP, you’re right to feel upset that your partner dismissed your request for comfort when you’re in pain, even if he’s in pain himself.

The comments about whether to have a baby with him aren’t helpful. You know better about whether or not he’s right for you as a father for your child.

If I were you, I’d talk to him about why he has behaved the way he has. Is he in pain too? He might be projecting his anger and frustration about not being able to fix this situation on you, by saying you’re being unreasonable, when really he’d behave differently, if he had the answer. If the answer is, he just doesn’t care, that’s a bigger issue.

Good luck with the tests you have coming up. I hope they lead to a solution for you.

They're like this on every thread on MN at the moment - gets to about page 3 and an incel army appears to take the OP down. Unsurprisingly, this lot are defensive about one of their own, a gamer.

BeenThereDoneThat101 · 24/08/2023 17:06

OP, this is MN where posters positively love the idea of telling women to LTB off the back of one experience.

Unsuccessfully TTC is hard, but tbh so is having to face the day to day upset of someone who is so desperate to have a baby that they lose all sense of perspective.

I suspect this isn’t the first time you’ve spent hours sobbing over not being able to have a baby, and while your DH did comfort you in the beginning, I’m not sure what you want him to do really. Fact is that this is currently something you’re both going through,and both need to deal with in your own way.

I know all too many women who have spent time TTC almost taking the fact that they can’t conceive out on their husbands and expecting them to drop everything because they’re upset.

You’re not wrong for being upset. But equally he’s not wrong for reaching a point where he just doesn’t feel able to spend hours comforting you over something which neither of you currently has any control over.

He wasn’t doing anything wrong by playing on his xbox. And fwiw for the posters berating a grown man for playing on the xbox, it’s interesting to note that the average age of people who play xbox is 33. It’s by no means a child’s device.

And before anyone says that you can only know what it’s like if you’ve struggled to conceive, it took me 16 months to conceive my first, and we tried unsuccessfully for six years for a second. So I’ve been there. But you have to get past it because the more you dwell on it, the harder it is going to be, and the more pressure it wil put on your relationship.

DiddyHeck · 24/08/2023 17:09

I think you've got two problems in your OP that you've rolled into one.

He did comfort you and then he wanted to do something for himself and felt it was unfair that you were using being upset, to get him to 'do something together'.

I feel bad saying it but I kind of agree that it did look that way and if you say you were upstairs but he could hear you crying from downstairs, that makes it come across as a bit 'performative', which in turn can seem manipulative.

The second problem is the housework etc and if he's unwilling to split that fairly now, he's really not the right man to have a baby with.

Carlotta27 · 24/08/2023 17:10

Im so sorry you’re feeling like this. I’m also TTC and undergoing fertility investigations and I’m part of a few forums and networks with women in similar positions. How you’re feeling is NOT irrational at all, it’s normal to feel jealous and frustrated and heart broken when you see other people getting pregnant and you feel left behind and totally alone. Many women would feel the same.

I don’t think your partners understands the enormous emotional burden that you are carrying all alone right now. Leaving him isn’t necessarily the solution but I would encourage you to try and find ways to feel better supports (by your partner, friends, councilling, etc) as you’re not getting the support you need. Your feelings are natural and I get why you needed to post and vent x

Dramatico · 24/08/2023 17:10

horseyhorsey17 · 24/08/2023 17:06

They're like this on every thread on MN at the moment - gets to about page 3 and an incel army appears to take the OP down. Unsurprisingly, this lot are defensive about one of their own, a gamer.

Would your feelings about the situation be different if instead of the Xbox, he'd whipped out his box set of Dostoevsky, or his cello?

Because I don't see what difference it makes and people are getting way too hung up about the xbox.

sunflowers365 · 24/08/2023 17:11

It sounds like such a difficult time for you. I feel for you. I wanted a baby so badly and I used to get upset when others announced their pregnancies. Lots of people said don’t have children with this man, but I know things are usually more complex than this. I would suggest evaluating the relationship and whether he is always unsupportive and unkind, or whether this lack of support is a rarity. Can you have a talk with him about what you need and expect in this relationship and how he can support you better? Infertility issues are known to be incredibly stressful and upsetting. Sending kind wishes to you.

RogersOrganismicProcess · 24/08/2023 17:12

If you always do what you always do you are always going to get what you always get. Stop running around doing the majority of the house work, with some unspoken expectation and what he should be able to know from reading your mind or picking up on clues.

If there is x y z to do have a conversation with him. “ I see that the puppy needs walking and the ironing needs doing. We also haven’t decided anything about dinner yet. What would you like to do? Lovely, then while you are doing x, I will do y.”

sunflowers365 · 24/08/2023 17:13

Also i really think your partner needs to step up and do the blood test as fertility is not all down to the woman, as used to be thought.

TS45 · 24/08/2023 17:16

He knew I was crying upstairs because he shouted up ‘what now?’ and I didn’t reply. I didn’t put on a performance. telling someone struggling with infertility that their heartache is manipulation and a guilt tactic shows a total lack of understanding to how hard it is

OP posts:
AfraidToRun · 24/08/2023 17:16

How can you love him?

Do you love yourself?

MsRosley · 24/08/2023 17:17

Absolutely agree with the majority, he's not a keeper. He will behave so much worse when you do actually have a baby.

Stravaig · 24/08/2023 17:17

This isn't the right relationship to have children in, and neither of you sound mature enough to become parents.