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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think people should care about my pregnancy

34 replies

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:13

I don't know if I'm being an emotional mess so opinions wanted please.

This is my second pregnancy, not planned and to be honest if I ever was to be pregnant again I was adamant on it being a better experience to heal me from my first. However, maybe it's a second pregnancy thing, I just feel like no one gives a damn. No I don't expect princess treatment or constant doting over but I just want some acknowledgement.ive said to dp multiple times I don't even feel like I am pregnant with him. He never bothers to feel my belly when our baby kicks, or talk about the pregnancy. I feel like I bore him with pregnancy/baby talk and it's always me initiating it. He claims he is happy and wants this child, which I believe, but he can chose to opt out of the pregnancy until the baby comes whilst I don't really have the luxury of ignoring it. When I tell him all of this he apologises and says he recognises he isn't dedicating much time to it, then lists everything else that takes his attention away, toddler work ect.

With my first I had GD and potentially pre eclampsia which I'm now being tested for again. I'm a tiny person and this baby is measuring big again. I'm getting all sorts of pains and had horrendous sickness all throughout. I've asked dp to do simple things, like put thing things in a reachable space for me so I don't have to exert myself stretching but he keeps forgetting and this is upsetting me as I just think it's plain lack of consideration for me and again another kick in the teeth that he doesn't think about this pregnancy. I share a house with in laws despite coming into the third trimester I do all the house cleaning and look after DC. I just want these little things so I feel thought of, is it too much to expect?! Even my own siblings haven't even asked once how I am this entire pregnancy, one thought I was much earlier on than I am and the other one forgot entirely!!! No doubt when baby comes they will be all over it but no where to be seen during my pregnancy.

If I'm tired of feeling sick rather than empathy I feel like mil or do will lecture me about what I'm lacking in vitamins or food wise. I just want a break and need to rest. I feel like I'm trying to do the same amount as I did before my pregnancy because it's just what is naturally been expected of me, this also includes being a carer to my parent. I feel like if I try to tell my parent I feel sick, my back hurts, he just switches off. He promised me with this pregnancy he would take care of me this time, offer massages, check in. Heck I didn't even manage to get any maternity clothes until a couple of weeks ago despite being months away from giving birth because financially this pregnancy has not been prioritised and my money has had to go on compensating for dps lack of work (he is self employed). It wasn't until I broke down that I'm over half way with no bloody bras that fit me that he actually listened.

Anyways, I don't know if I'm rambling or getting my points across right. Maybe it's my standards that are the issue and need to be lowered. But I'm running on no steam and feel like I have no support. Sometimes I just want someone to talk to about the hardships of this pregnancy and feel like they genuinely care enough to listen. Doesn't help that DC is so full on and needs CONSTANT attention so I'm always feeling bad for not meeting their requirements. Today I've been completely burnt out after multiple birthday parties and outings throughout the week and needed today to rest. I explained this to DC and they said this is why they don't want a sibling, because it's making me incapable for them....

Before anyone suggests talking to my midwife I do have an extra support team for my anxiety and because of how bad my first pregnancy went, but again I feel like whenever I tell them "how I'm feeling" they really don't give a crap. It usually ends with them telling me to fill a happiness questionnaire and then they sign post me onto another person.

Aibu to expect more or is this just how a second pregnancy is?

OP posts:
BarbaraHoward · 16/11/2024 17:16

Wider family and friends aren't typically attentive during a second pregnancy, but your partner absolutely should be aware that you'll be tired and uncomfortable and trying to help with that.

owlexpress · 16/11/2024 17:16

Do you work? Why do you live with your in-laws?

Obviously I don't know the ins and outs of your situation, but I feel like if you had a job and your own house half your problems would resolve.

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:18

@owlexpress yes I do work. I've been signed off because of how sick I've been. Not even been able to keep water down and had low blood pressure because of it.

OP posts:
PinkFrogss · 16/11/2024 17:20

Why do you live with your in laws?

Are they trying to pressure you/DP to move out?

owlexpress · 16/11/2024 17:20

So why can't you buy clothes? Are you in a financially abusive relationship?

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:21

We live with in laws because of financial reasons. Dp nature of work naturally dries up over the colder months so he has little work coming in, meaning my money has mainly been put towards our needs and DC rather than being able to put towards myself and this pregnancy.

OP posts:
2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:25

I'd rather not get into finances too much here as I feel like that's derailing. My point is I don't feel like I get any genuine care about this second pregnancy and I just want to know if it's a me thing or a second pregnancy thing in general.

OP posts:
EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 16/11/2024 17:26

your DP should most definitely acknowledge and care about it. When you say you’re sharing with in laws do you mean you’re living in their house or vice versa?

owlexpress · 16/11/2024 17:26

So if he has little work coming in why isn't he doing the bulk of the house cleaning etc? I'd say your standards need to be higher, not lower tbh.

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 16/11/2024 17:27

Sorry just seen you answered! Did the agreement of living with them include housework in lieu or rent or something?

im just trying to work out why 3 people would be so shitty towards someone they should care about.

It’s not a second pregnancy thing, it’s a shit DP thing. Sorry OP. Do you have support outside the 3 of them?

Ponderingwindow · 16/11/2024 17:29

If I were the inlaws, I would be finding it hard to celebrate a new grandchild when already supporting a young family. As a parent, I would be having serious conversations with my son about changing jobs and improving his financial situation.

your partner sounds like the main problem here. He is really the only person who owes you attention and support. He also has a responsibility to support his family financially and that includes paying his share of maternity related expenses without complaint.

in the short term, if he doesn’t have work at any moment and the toddler is at nursery, he should be taking over the housework and cooking. It’s not time for leisure.

TomatoSandwiches · 16/11/2024 17:31

People should be taking off your plate not putting extra things on it at this point.

Just remember this feeling, he is a let down and you can't count on his word at all so no more babies with this one.

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:31

I'm doing a lot of the house work at the moment to make up for our lack of financial support during dp's dry season. But also because in-laws have a lot of health problems and are getting on so they aren't really cut out for maintaining an entire house. Which I understand, but at the moment, neither I am!

OP posts:
TomatoSandwiches · 16/11/2024 17:33

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:31

I'm doing a lot of the house work at the moment to make up for our lack of financial support during dp's dry season. But also because in-laws have a lot of health problems and are getting on so they aren't really cut out for maintaining an entire house. Which I understand, but at the moment, neither I am!

Is there some reason your husband isn't doing the main bulk of housework?
It isn't because he has a penis is it?

bohnerific69 · 16/11/2024 17:33

So if it's DP's dry season, is he home a lot?

Wellingtonspie · 16/11/2024 17:35

To be completely honest. Nobody cares about your pregnancy as much as you full stop. Second third and fourth babies unless suddenly a girl/boy that hasn’t been had are never treated with as much enthusiasm as first pregnancies.

also if my child and his wife where living in my home due to lack of money with one child I would certainly not be over the moon that they where having a second while not being able to fully support themselves and first child.

sel2223 · 16/11/2024 17:36

How far on are you OP?
You sound totally overwhelmed at the moment

applestewing · 16/11/2024 17:37

You have a dh problem

when his work ‘dries up’ he needs to get another job surely?

he sounds like a shit partner tbh so not sure what sort of comments you’re expecting?

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:38

@Ponderingwindow although he isn't actively working his admin does take up a lot of his time. He is constantly getting leads for new work that go no where.

OP posts:
2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:39

@sel2223 that's precisely how I feel! 3 months away from given birth.

OP posts:
2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:41

@Wellingtonspie I hear what you are saying, and that's why I seriously considered abortion to the point where I was driving to the clinic for a surgical and then crumbled last minute.

However after telling in laws, despite my reservations, they are very happy. They love babies and small children and it's actually put a very big positive spin on this year which has been full of negative health declines for them. They are looking forward to it.

OP posts:
Scrimt · 16/11/2024 17:43

On MN you'll have people falling over themselves to tell you that your pregnancy is irrelevant to everyone but you. You do sound overwhelmed and the bear minimum you should expect is more involvement from your partner. And why are you doing all the cooking and cleaning and looking after your toddler? Time for a cards on the table chat with partner.

Kaleidoscopic101 · 16/11/2024 17:44

DP needs to step up by he sound if it but...in my experience second pregnancy is a very different experience. My parents were not interested and didn't bond with DC2 until much later. There were times even I forgot about my own pregnancy running around after DC...and it took DH a much longer time to bond with DC 2...perhaps as old as 2-3yo. Honestly OP I hate to say this but if you're experiencing these types of problems now, just wait until you have the baby and added load. Something needs to give and if it was me it wouldn't be carrying the in-laws and DPs housework stuff...just start to prioritise your health and wellbeing, that's not unreasonable.

premierleague · 16/11/2024 17:45

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:21

We live with in laws because of financial reasons. Dp nature of work naturally dries up over the colder months so he has little work coming in, meaning my money has mainly been put towards our needs and DC rather than being able to put towards myself and this pregnancy.

in-laws are probably pissed off that you're having another baby if you can't afford to house your current child.

2ndtimesthecharm · 16/11/2024 17:51

@premierleague they aren't. They are happy.

OP posts: