Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH & sex

28 replies

anon9776 · 02/05/2025 09:21

It’s going to be a long one so thanks in advance for anyone who comes with advice.

I am 33, DH 34 and we have a DD who’s 2 and I’m 22 weeks pregnant.

DH was away abroad for 4 nights on a golf trip last week (doesn’t bother me at all, I am off abroad next month for my best friends hen weekend for 4 nights and we have a family trip booked for July).

DD been unwell with a cough and cold, I’ve had very little sleep. I’m suffering with early onset of SPD in this pregnancy, I have had sciatica since I was 17 and was in a car accident and I have 2 slipped discs, obviously as I grow it gets worse in pregnancy for me, this will be our last baby.

This pregnancy, I have had recurrent thrush and piles, I’m in pain with my back and hips a lot of the time but regardless, like 99% of mums we get on with it. I take DD out every day even if it’s for a walk in the woods or to the park. DH runs our business.

DH has always had a higher sex drive than me but we’ve made it work. Since pregnancy and the thrush, increased back pain etc it’s been the last thing on my mind but we have sex once or twice a week anyway (unless active thrush) which I cannot complain about, DH isn’t selfish in bed and we have a good sex life although he would like it more which I understand but I just can’t physically do it right now.

When he got home, he came down with DD’s cold. Yesterday he laid on the sofa all day. I was in a lot of pain with my back but went to Sainsbury’s and got the shopping done, dropped our friends DD’s birthday presents off, he watched me do everything with DD yesterday, he watched me do laundry, he watched me cook dinner for her, hoover and wipe down kitchen and toilet, bathe her, put her to bed, tidy the living room of toys away in her toy box.

Earlier on late morning, he’d made a joke about having sex and I was in the mood but after watching him watch me do everything in pain last night because he’s got a cough and cold, I changed my mind. As it happens, about 8pm I started to get a sore throat and blocked nose and by the time I went to bed at 9:30 I felt rough, I’ve obviously caught it from DD and/or DH.

He came to bed and initiated sex, I said I didn’t feel well (which he knew as I’d said to him whilst watching tv that I could feel a cold coming on).

He then told me that I am not fair, I shouldn’t have agreed to it earlier on in the day, he went on and on at me saying that this is what stops him from being able to sleep whenever I withdraw from wanting to have sex (rarely happens) and in the end I had enough and told him if he was that bothered to go and pleasure himself instead. He told me I was “being a dick”, got out of bed and slept in the living room.

I feel really hurt today, I’m 5 months pregnant, I do everything around the house from the cleaning to the laundry to changing all of our bedsheets once a week, making sure our daughter gets fresh air and a run around every day. He’s taken the day off today and I’m staying in bed and resting and he can be with DD today. He said okay and we haven’t spoke since.

Apart from this, he’s a great Dad and Husband (when he’s not unwell) and will absolutely hoover or mop or do whatever I need doing if I ask him. He works really hard to provide for us and often brings me home flowers, runs me baths etc.

AIBU to think I absolutely have a right to change my mind about wanting to have sex or am I being unfair to him?

OP posts:
YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 02/05/2025 09:25

YANBU at all. Tell him lying around all day watching you work is a complete bloody ick and it's his own fault!

Justme2023123 · 02/05/2025 09:26

So he was well enough for sex, but not well enough to shift his arse off the sofa to share the housework with you? No wonder you changed your mind, whether you were coming down with a cold or not.
And it is always ok to change your mind, always. Irrespective of the reason.

BCBird · 02/05/2025 09:27

Anyone can change their mind about wanting sex. I would not have done all the things u mentioned apart from.the essentials: caring for your child and making food. The shopping I would have done an online order. Even if he was genuinely ill, there are still some essentials that need to be done- not all down to u. He could have secured an online order

LibrariansGiveUsPower · 02/05/2025 09:31

So he’s getting it twice a week whilst you’re in serious pain, he needs to get over himself. Most women in that level of pain and recurrence of thrush wouldn’t be up for even that.

On offer of sex in the middle of the day is in no way binding. What a jerk to say that.

As for not lifting a finger all day. What a prince.

PaintYourAssLikeRembrandt · 02/05/2025 09:31

Apart from this, he’s a great Dad and Husband (when he’s not unwell) and will absolutely hoover or mop or do whatever I need doing if I ask him.

This is not a great husband.

Why do you need to ask him? Can't he see? Doesn't he ever take it upon himself to just do stuff, like you do.

Him being a parent, having a cold and being on the sofa all day watching his pregnant wife doing everything while in pain is disgusting behaviour.

His little tantrum about sex would be enough to make me never shag him again.

Flowers and bath running do not make a good husband.

TweetingHurricane · 02/05/2025 09:32

Men who sulk about sex are pathetic animals, just have a wank FFS! You are pregnant, in pain and ill. Twice/once a week is amazing in the circumstances

LibrariansGiveUsPower · 02/05/2025 09:33

Also with SPD please switch to home delivery for a while - or at least click & collect. Pushing a trolley (especially with toddler in tow) will really make that worse. Please look after yourself.

DonnaBanana · 02/05/2025 09:35

You can change your mind whenever you like! Even if you “promise” someone sex all day long, make all the overtures, and all that, you are 101% in your right to change your mind and just say actually I don’t want to anymore with no consequences or manipulation. Once you realise that you gain your power and autonomy over your body.

Whatahardlife · 02/05/2025 09:35

Of course you have the right to change your mind and say no.

He sounds like yet another self centered selfish man.

Tbh given your health issues, the fact you have a 2 year old and your pregnancy issues I'm amazed you say him going off for a 4 day jaunt with his male friends didn't bother you. He is supposed to be your life partner and care about you, and care about his child and his unborn child. But having a good time with his pals obviously was more important.

Tbh his behaviour when he came home. - leaving everything to you and expecting sex on demand - doesn't come as much surprise since he obviously doesn't care about you and your wellbeing and needs OP.

It doesn't sound like a marriage of equals.

millymoo1202 · 02/05/2025 09:48

What a prize prick, he’s not a great Dad or husband

SmoothRoads · 02/05/2025 09:50

Apart from this, he’s a great Dad and Husband (when he’s not unwell) and will absolutely hoover or mop or do whatever I need doing if I ask him.

He is a not a great dad. He is manipulative and lazy and you shouldn't have to ask him to clean up after himself. He is an adult living in the same house and he should do these things without prompting.

I am sorry, OP, but your husband is an asshole. Please, allow the scales to fall of your eyes and to see this man for who he really is, a user and a manipulator who does not give a damn about you or his own children that he decided to have with you.

With the exception of him, I feel sorry for your all. You deserve so much better.

catsand · 02/05/2025 09:54

Your DH sounds like a dick

Also, find an osteopath with experience with pregnant women, it will make a huge difference to your back and hips.

yeesh · 02/05/2025 09:56

what a prick

Takeoutyourhen · 02/05/2025 09:59

Major ick. He doesn’t have an ounce of respect for you does he?
Sulking and moods are a major turn off. It is manipulation too. I’ve had this experience. When you end up finding someone who respects you and treats you well, it really highlights the differences in previous relationships and guess what, you will be happier for recognising that this is not right.
Hope your symptoms improve!

TimeForTeaAndG · 02/05/2025 10:04

Good dads don't let their pregnant wife run around doing everything while in pain. Good husbands don't sulk and complain about sex. And good adults don't need asked to do things around the house, they do what needs done because they also live there!

When I was pregnant I did not want sex even once for the entire pregnancy and then several weeks after while I recovered from C-section. Do you know what DH said? Nothing. Sometimes a bit of a disappointed "ok" but then acted like an adult and moved on. It wasn't an issue. DH didn't shrivel up and die because of it.

Raise your bar.

Also, I'm sorry you are suffering and have such an unsupportive husband.

BarneyRonson · 02/05/2025 10:08

Blimey! You’re very nice about it. I’d be stone cold furious in your shoes. Changing your mind is allowed. Watching you do everything….. really? Man flu strikes again, funny how women never get it.

Gettingbysomehow · 02/05/2025 10:14

I'd have told him to fuck right off and once he's done that to fuck off again.

PashaMinaMio · 02/05/2025 10:16

I’m sorry you are suffering and I agree with all the previous posters’ points of view.

Your husband is not a good husband and MN is full of stories like yours. Try to picture your future with this lazy man and meanwhile top up your running away fund.

As suggested above, go see an osteopath for advice and hopefully help. I hope it’ll make a massive difference. Good luck with your confinement (and his sexual expectations) afterwards.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 02/05/2025 10:19

I'd ask him, what he wants you to do, if you feel like sex that day in the morning, but by the time it's evening you really don't feel like it for any reason like you're in pain, don't feel well, or just gone off the idea.

Is he really saying that just because you thought you'd feel like it later, that you should stick to it, even though you don't want to? That you should force yourself to do sexual acts that you don't want to do, just to fulfill a plan or so that he can sleep?

Did he not do the consent classes at school where its made clear consent can be withdrawn at any time including (shocker!) after sex has already started? Does he really not think that you should have the free will to change your mind?

PoisedTealPanda · 02/05/2025 10:19

This guy needs a reality check.

On what planet would you remotely be in the mood after he laid down watching you do everything all day, despite knowing you were struggling?

Entitlement doesn’t even cut it!

CraneBeak · 02/05/2025 10:30

Someone needs to watch the tea video. Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Allowing that people change their minds about sex is a basic part of not being a rapist.

ItGhoul · 02/05/2025 10:37

Anyone has the right to change their mind about sex at any point. Of course nobody who, in the morning, says 'Let's have sex tonight' can possibly expect that to be a guarantee.

I certainly think there are times when certain people use that right to manipulate or humiliate a partner, but that is clearly not what you were doing here; you've done absolutely nothing wrong and he's behaved like an absolute twat.

MakingPlans2025 · 02/05/2025 10:40

He’s not a great husband.

SUPerSaver721 · 02/05/2025 10:40

Men who sulk about sex just give me the ick. No wonder you didn't feel like sex.

SilverButton · 02/05/2025 10:42

He behaved like a dickhead.