Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I can’t move past what my husband said

219 replies

Whattodowow · 14/01/2024 15:10

I have been married for nearly 11 years now.
We have 3 children together all under the ages of 9.

Now husband and me have been quite argumentative recently and maybe just sort of hit a plateau in our relationship. I imagine this happens in most marriages/long term relationships at some points.

Anyway we were just conversing as normal and he told me that his brother and his wife are expecting a baby in a few months and his newly married sister is expecting a baby too. I replied happily to that news as it’s something to be celebrated.

So anyway as we were conversing he said to me “shame we’re not pregnant” and I sensed he was telling me of their pregnancies in a comparison sort of way which I found weird. This isn’t the comment I can’t move on from though. That comes further down.

A few days earlier I went out with a few female friends and as I was sat in car before setting off to go out, I was looking for my eyeliner which dropped next to passenger seat therefore I pushed the seat back looking for it before I set off to drive. I didn’t end up pushing the seat back to its original position because I was in a rush and didn't think anything of this.

When I came back home (he was at home with the kids) he then quickly nipped out used our car and accused me of having met up with a guy that evening because the seat was pushed back very far and that guys usually sit like that. (I met up with my female friends that evening).
It was late in the evening and I was tired and couldn’t be bothered to entertain an argument with him.
Now we move on to the bit that I can’t move past. He said “whoever it is, he can have you as your tubes are no good anyway”. Tubes as in fallopian tubes. He decided to sleep downstairs that night. I was in shock but had to prioritise sleep as I had work the next morning.

I have had 3 children with this man. 1st birth was traumatic and ended up in an emergency c section where I was put to sleep. 2nd birth I had to be induced and have an episiotomy but managed a vaginal birth. 3rd birth was straightforward vaginal birth but baby was very big at 9lb 11oz and I struggled with severe pelvic girdle pain throughout that pregnancy. In between them pregnancies I had 4 miscarriages. I also had an ectopic pregnancy in my right tube which burst whilst I was at work one day and had to have it removed via an emergency operation , I was bleeding internally and could have died. Bad luck happened a few months after my initial ectopic pregnancy as I then had another ectopic pregnancy in my left tube but they luckily managed to save that tube but it is scarred and I had to have surgery again to remove that pregnancy.
The consultant told me I have a very low chance of ever getting pregnant naturally and that it could result in a 3rd ectopic pregnancy and if I ever wanted to have more children it would most likely have to be via IVF which I would have to fund myself.

The ectopic pregnancies happened after I had my 3rd child so it’s not like I didn’t want to have more kids. We tried and unfortunately I ended up having 2 back to back ectopics.

Since the comments from him the only conversations I have been having with him is regarding the kids and anything important.

Our youngest is 2 years old nearly 3 and i have found life quite tough since she was born as she has been a challenging child, however she seems to be a lot more happier recently. I won’t go into too much detail about her.

I have said to him a number of times that I don’t want anymore kids unfortunately due to everything I have been through fertility wise, the toll it’s had on my body and generally enjoying the stage the older two kids are in because they can do a lot for themselves.
He has never been able to accept that I said I don’t want anymore kids and I said that’s fine but unfortunately sometimes life events happen that’s out of our control and makes people reflect and for me these are one of them situations. I have told him he is very ungrateful for the things he already has in his life.

He has for a while now been saying little comments here and there of ohh “we could have had another baby by now” or “oh what’s the point of you having periods if you don’t want anymore kids”. Things like that which I find disgusting.

Again this is one of them situations where the kids love their dad to bits and it would break their heart if we separated. I on the other hand can’t really look at him the same after the “your tubes are no good anyway”

He has since apologised but it was half hearted apology and said that he “crossed a line”. He’s like iv done my bit by apologising.

AIBU to not move past what he said to me? And would this be the end of your relationship if this happened to you?

OP posts:
Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 14/01/2024 16:14

what a complete arse. Does he have some sort of psychological issues? It’s not normal to act like that towards the wife and mother of your children when she’s been through so much trying to bring his children into the world. Even if you’re not getting on most sane people would respect and understand your feelings.

if all he sees you as is an incubator then he needs to go.

betterangels · 14/01/2024 16:15

Noseybookworm · 14/01/2024 16:04

It sounds like he is having a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that you don't want any more children. Not that that excuses his behaviour or his very hurtful comments. Have you thought about trying couples counselling? It might help both of you communicate better and work through the problems rather than lashing out and saying hurtful things. Hopefully it might help him understand your point of view better and be grateful for the 3 wonderful children he does have!

Why would she go to counselling with a man, who tells her there's basically no point to her now? Seriously, what would be the point of that exercise?

thinslicedham · 14/01/2024 16:16

I'd have been sick of him long before this latest unforgivable comment. Three children is plenty! He should count himself lucky and now focus his attention on enjoying them and giving them the best life possible, not obsessing over having more.

You don't want your children growing up hearing his strange comments and absorbing his attitudes, and if the two of you can't be happy living together, that's not good, either. Unfortunately, with someone this horrible, I don't have much hope that he can change in a meaningful and lasting way, so I'd consider leaving him.

This is neither here nor there, but I'd find it massively unattractive if a man was this obsessed with having many children. This goes beyond a natural urge to procreate. It's an unhealthy obsession.

CandleWick4 · 14/01/2024 16:16

Possibly the first time I’ve said this on here but

ducks in a row and leave. ASAP

Daleksatemyshed · 14/01/2024 16:19

Does he really want another baby or does he just want to keep you tied to the house Op? I think he doesn't trust you and if you're not tied down by an endless stream of DC you'll trade him in for a better man- frankly that wouldn't be hard. Time to open your eyes and deciede what you want next Op, how can you stay with him now

Princessbananahamock · 14/01/2024 16:19

Well I’m going to be blunt.

  1. Are you Catherine or Aragon? No you’re not
  2. His words sound like your only purpose is to produce heirs(children)
  3. He is a selfish cunt.
  4. Medical difficulties in pregnancy and delivery, fucking prick to say anything.
  5. I seriously couldn’t bare to have any kind of intimacy with a misogynistic cunt.

Sorry but he is so unreasonable unthinking, and horrendous person. I would be looking at him with a different viewpoint from herein.

AcrossthePond55 · 14/01/2024 16:21

@Whattodowow

Let's see......

1-He thinks you are cheating/would cheat (car seat remark)

2-He doesn't care about your health or your life (another pregnancy would be dangerous for you)

3-He doesn't respect your body autonomy (won't accept your 'no more babies' decision)

4- He considers your 'worth' to be your reproductive capacity (tubes remark)

Can you explain why you're with him? Do you feel he truly wants more children for
'themselves' or does he see children as a way to tie you to 'kinder, Kirche, küche' as they used to say in Germany about a woman's 'role'.

And don't say because it would 'break our children's hearts'. A child's heart is not 'broken' by a divorce, their dad would still be major part of their lives. Yes, they'd be upset for a while and there would be adjustments to be made, but children are resilient and they'd adjust. It's not the same as when I was a child in the '60s and divorce was a scandal and a 'shame'. Nowadays there are probably more children in their year at school who have 'two homes' than there are residing with both parents in 'one home'.

You need to give your head a wobble. And you need to be sure you're on reliable contraception that he can't 'mess with'. Frankly, with your medical history I'd be getting my tubes tied.

In fact, I did get my tubes tied but not because I couldn't trust my husband. I was told, after 1 birth at 32 weeks and 1 complete bedrest at 5 months due to early contractions, chances were if I had more pregnancies that labour might come earlier and earlier with all the resulting problems with premature births as well as maternal mortality. Even though DH and I would have loved a 3rd, we BOTH put my health as well as the potential health of any baby ahead of our desire and we decided we were '2 and done'.

Saharafordessert · 14/01/2024 16:21

He sounds utterly dreadful. Please see him for who he really is.

itsmylife7 · 14/01/2024 16:21

I wouldn't be able-bodied to get past the fact he sees you as a baby making machine.

Sweden99 · 14/01/2024 16:25

This is not normal. Leave.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 14/01/2024 16:26

He views you with contempt @Whattodowow Please, you cannot stay with this man. His comments are some of the most appalling that I've heard on MN.

It is not ok to stay with him for the children's sakes, as they will pick up on his comments and on his mysogynistic view towards their mother. You need to raise your children in a happy and healthy environment, and you're not getting this at home with your husband.

I've left an abusive man before, and let me tell you, you'll never look back. It'll be the best thing you ever do for your children.

AhNowTed · 14/01/2024 16:26

Between the accusations and treating you like cattle, this REEKS of control.

ANiceBigCupOfTea · 14/01/2024 16:26

What a pathetic horrible man he is

ilovesushi · 14/01/2024 16:31

I feel so sad for you. He is horrible. Utterly disrespectful of you. Your pregnancies and childbirth experiences sound so difficult and traumatic. Please don't feel stuck in this marriage. I know that is easier said than done, but he sounds so so awful.

Hippomumma · 14/01/2024 16:32

I’m so sorry. I feel awful just reading this so I can’t imagine how you feel. You are absolutely not being unreasonable to not be able to see past this. I would see him in a completely different light and given what you’ve been through, it’s absolutely disgusting. I hope he regrets his words. No man should speak of anyone like that, let alone his wife. Hugs x

Startyabastard · 14/01/2024 16:32

He's a vile piece of shit!!! How dare he talk to you like this.
I definitely wouldn't be able to move past this, either.

wronginalltherightways · 14/01/2024 16:32

Nasty. He's literally told you that you, a woman, is only valuable to him and other men if you can produce children. Literally.

And then he accused you of cheating on him. And slept on the couch.

I suspect he's already making plans to leave and trying to figure out how to get you to chuck him out so he can blame you. Get solid legal advice before you make any moves, but I would be looking to get him out.

PurpleSky09 · 14/01/2024 16:36

He is disgusting OP, you’d be better off without him.

Canonlythinkofthisone · 14/01/2024 16:37

Snowydaysfaraway · 14/01/2024 15:32

Ime he knows full well when you aren't 'bogged down' with small dc you might see him for the cunt he is..

THIS!!
CONTROL is all this man wants. He's treating you disgustingly

Lifeomars · 14/01/2024 16:37

I am shocked after reading all that you have been through and that your husband, knowing all this, speaks to you in such a cruel, heartless and disrespectful way. I wish that men could go through pregnancy, childbirth and the recovery period, it would kill them! Joking aside, I couldn't move past that, he has shown you just how he sees you, a brood mare whose body is there solely to produce babies.

Nonomono · 14/01/2024 16:38

I couldn’t get past this comment but tbh it’s irrelevant anyway and my opinion would be the same even if he hadn’t said it.

He wants more children and you don’t.
This relationship cannot last and you’re both just delaying the inevitable.

He thinks you’re having an affair and his main concern is still babies.

This relationship needs to end, as the longer it carries on the worse it will get.

You should not be spoken to like that by the person who’s meant to support you the most and he needs to find someone else to have kids with.

oakleaffy · 14/01/2024 16:39

@Whattodowow What a rotter!
Absolutely nothing wrong with your fertility as you have had three children!

The man’s being utterly ridiculous.

No one needs more than three children-
what an awful man.

Venturini · 14/01/2024 16:39

What a repulsive human being. Get out of there.

clary · 14/01/2024 16:40

Jeez OP I don't often comment on threads like this as there are sometimes many sides to a story but blimey. what a very unpleasant man. What very very unpleasant things he has said. I am so sorry for the losses you have had to deal with - they must have been mentally as well as physically scarring. For him to make these comments shows how insensitive he is - in general and to you in particular. I would also be making plans to leave. He really doesn 't seem to care about you.

CatMadam · 14/01/2024 16:41

Folklore9074 · 14/01/2024 16:08

You guys need marriage counselling. There’s something going on here and if you want it to work you need to untangle what is at the root of it.

I’d say him being an enormous shite is what’s at the root of it. No amount of marriage counselling is going to change what appears to be a controlling, abusive man into a pleasant, respectful one.