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Pregnancy

Unplanned third pregnancy - petrified of telling OH. Advice please!

358 replies

TryingToThinkPositively · 31/07/2018 05:49

As the title states.. I took a pregnancy test last night and again this morning and have found myself with two positive tests now stashed away in my wardrobe.

OH and I currently have a soon-to-be 20 month old and a 7 month old who we are both lovingly obsessed with and would be entirely lost without.

I had an inkling a few days ago that I might’ve been pregnant, so I tested the waters with OH by reading him out a few threads from here about husbands who emotionally blackmail their wives in to having abortions when the woman doesn’t want one. I found myself in that situation 8 years ago with a previous partner, and suffered terribly with grief, guilt and shame for years afterwards - the guilt didn’t actually start to subside until I fell pregnant again with our first DS. Anyway, after talking through the threads with OH and him being aware of my history, he made it clear that he could see how traumatising and downright horrible those sort of situations must be for the woman, but also followed it up by saying ‘that being said, I think a third baby would kill me right now’.

I am so, so scared to tell him. Our second DS wasn’t planned either and I sobbed when I announced that pregnancy - all for it to turn out fine and left me feeling silly for getting myself so worked up. But this time is different. OH was and is adamant that two babies are enough, and 3 under 3 will be insane. Our eldest still wakes up countless times a night and our youngest starts his days at 4:30am so we’re both zombies 99.9% of the time.

I know we’re foolish for not using protection. After we discovered we were pregnant for the second time, OH threw around the old ‘that’s it, I’m getting the snip’ malarkey. I ended up convincing him not to get one as I made it clear I wasn’t done having children (I’m only 25). We reasoned that I would go on the pill and if in 5 years time he still hadn’t warmed to the idea of another baby, he was free to go and get the vasectomy. I didn’t go on the pill, and slowly but surely, we eventually stopped using condoms. For the most part we’ve been using the ‘pull out’ method (not effective, I know!), but this third pregnancy is the result of just ONE incident where it was left in.

I’m torn between telling OH as soon as we’ve got both DS’s down for their nap today, or waiting a while longer to process it more myself. OH is off work until next week so I think telling him this week is probably better, I just have no idea how to go about it and I’m petrified of him asking me to get an abortion.

Anyone been in a similar situation???

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LookAtIt · 01/08/2018 15:41

I feel sorry for all of you really. It's sad that something that's meant to be a happy and exciting time is full of regrets and worries. I guess that's the risk you take with unprotected sex. Hopefully it won't effect your relationship or how you partner bonds with the new baby.
It seems like a lot to take on at such a young age.
I'd also think you should think about your funicular security. I don't understand why you wouldn't get married (simply from the security point of view - not moral or religious!) Have you got a career to back you up in case something goes wrong?
I had my own kids very close in age and the expense is massive not just when it comes to childcare but also when they are older.

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Moonflower12 · 01/08/2018 15:45

Congratulations! I had 3 under 3. With only 15 months between the youngest. My coil failed and I was EBF! The 3rd was meant to be. It was hard for the first year but someone said to me 'when DS is a year you'll wonder what you were worrying about.' I remember watching the 3 of them sat in the bath one night and suddenly remembering those words. They were right.

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TryingToThinkPositively · 01/08/2018 15:58

@LookAtIt I definitely don't regret any of my children - perhaps the timing of this one isn't amazing, but it's done now and I am actually looking forward to becoming a family of 5! If I've come across any different from that, it's purely through worry to do with OH!

I don't want to get married just for 'security' though. We are planning on getting married eventually, it's not like neither one of us wants to, because we both do. But neither of us want a quick registry office type thing. We don't want anything lavish either, we're not OTT kind of people. But ultimately I'd like a nice dress, and OH has seen a suit and the wedding car he'd like. We want to make a nice day of it which obviously requires saving! I have no qualms with waiting a few more years to get married!

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TryingToThinkPositively · 01/08/2018 16:01

@Moonflower12 I also feel like babies come along because they were meant to be here, happy accidents or careful planning! It's good to hear that 3 under 3 can be done without going totally insane Grin

How did you find it during the day on your own with the three of them? My eldest will be nearly 2 and a half by the time the third arrives, and our youngest will be around 16 months-ish.

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TryingToThinkPositively · 01/08/2018 16:05

@LookAtIt that was supposed to be 'it's not like either one of us doesn't want to' 🤦🏻‍♀️

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lapenguin · 01/08/2018 16:11

Atleast you'll have all the sleepless nights out the way in one go, instead of getting them to school age then deciding on another!
Congratulations!
Soon after this one is born you're other one will be entitled to 15 free hours (if you are in England?)
Are you entitled to any help? I know they cap everything at 2 now but you might be entitled to some help? Tax credits/universal credit etc

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BertrandRussell · 01/08/2018 16:14

I also feel like babies come along because they were meant to be here"

They don't, you know. They come along because you have unprotected sex.

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TryingToThinkPositively · 01/08/2018 17:28

OH doesn't want the baby. At all. He's expressed that more than clearly this afternoon.

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BertrandRussell · 01/08/2018 17:30

Sorry, OP- he doesn't really have a say. He chose to have unprotected sex with you. What did he think was going to happen?

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LastNightsMakeUp · 01/08/2018 17:39

@TryingToThinkPositively oh dear what did he say?

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lapenguin · 01/08/2018 17:49

Sorry to hear that
Does he have any solution seeing as he knows your feelings about an abortion?

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LML83 · 01/08/2018 18:07

Sorry to hear that OP. I think that is expected as moving is a massive upheaval/expense and he doesn't want 3 children.

It's not your fault he was involved in not using contraception.

It is your choice though, don't have the abortion and hopefully you can get through this together. He doesn't want to loose you and share custody either. He will come around. Flowers

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TryingToThinkPositively · 01/08/2018 18:20

He's said that a third child will result in us moving to a shitty area away from the amazing schools we're currently in the catchment for. He said that we're barely scraping by as it is and won't be able to afford a home like we have at the moment. Apparently the stress will be too much and having a third will stop future opportunities for our other two because we'll have no money.

We had a blazing argument about it. I then went for a walk, came home and told him I'll have the abortion. I don't want to, but I do know money will be so, so tight with a third.
I poured myself a glass of wine because I was in hysterics and thought 'well, alcohol doesn't matter now!', he saw me with it, and shouted at me because it's 'his' bottle to drink before a wedding we're going to next week. Talk about THE BIG FUCKING PICTURE HERE.

I've since calmed down, and asked him why he continues to have unprotected sex with me if he's so against having more children. He knows I'm okay with having more, which is why I won't use birth control - I think the responsibility should be on the man anyway, especially a man that's SO adamant he wants no more.
He got annoyed at me and wouldn't answer. Said I was pissing him off by asking too many questions 🤬🤬🤬
He eventually blurted out 'I told you about me wanting a vasectomy last year but you told me not to!!!!' In response to that I simply said "yes, I didn't want you getting a vasectomy, but I didn't mean for you to do the deed inside as and when you please". He then stormed out of the room and it's now time for me to start the bedtime routine with the kids.

Appointment is booked with the doctor for Friday.

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LookAtIt · 01/08/2018 18:28

I definitely don't regret any of my children - perhaps the timing of this one isn't amazing, but it's done now and I am actually looking forward to becoming a family of 5!

I wasn't suggesting that you regretted any of your kids 😕 I was just thinking that it's sad for you to have a kid with someone who doesn't want one. It's meant to be such a happy time and now it isn't. I know your partner should have been more responsible and it's his own fault he is in this situation but I still feel sorry for him. I feel sorry for you because although you are clearly delighted to be pregnant it must be devastating that your partner wishes you weren't. It's just a sad situation.

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LookAtIt · 01/08/2018 18:30

Sorry I cross posted with you OP.

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PotteringAlong · 01/08/2018 18:32

I suspect your relationship is over one way or the other now anyway.

The question, to be answered before Friday, is do you want it to be over with 2 children or 3?

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LastNightsMakeUp · 01/08/2018 18:35

So sorry to read that @TryingToThinkPositively I'm holding out hope that he may warm up to the idea on your behalf.

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LML83 · 01/08/2018 18:40

It's shit. It's a hard horrible situation. You both took a risk.

Is what he says true? Will the schools/home for your children being a lot worse? Does this change your thinking?

If it does and you decide to have an abortion do it. But don't if you don't want to.

I think the rest of the argument about wine and contraception can be worked on, if you want.

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TryingToThinkPositively · 01/08/2018 18:41

He won't change his mind, once his mind is set on something that's it.
While I understand his 'logical reasoning' for not wanting this baby, it's absolutely infuriating me that he's put me in this situation again knowing full well he wants no more children.
I told him if the roles were reversed, and I'd expressed over and over that I was done having kids, I would be doing everything within my power to prevent a pregnancy from happening.
So how the fuck can he feel so strongly about something, but still take such huge risks. I'm livid. I was calm. But the more I think about this situation as a whole, the angrier I'm getting. This month wasn't the only time he's 'left it in' either. I'm pretty sure there's been at least 3 occasions since DS2 was born 7 months ago.
Urgh. Fucking men.

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Bibijayne · 01/08/2018 18:53

I think this relationship is over OP. Whatever you do/ do not do, I do not think you have a viable future with your OH is he behaves so recklessly and then is cruel about it afterwards.

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Clairetree1 · 01/08/2018 19:02

don't have an abortion unless it is what YOU want. xxx

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JessBradleyTheBusStopWanker · 01/08/2018 19:04

OP, if you want this baby then have it. if you have an abortion (that you do not want) you will only resent him and your relationship will sour very quickly and be over in no time. based on what you have already said, you will not get over this. So choose between your baby or your relationship. You can ask him to leave and go on benefits.

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Orchidflower1 · 01/08/2018 19:07

So sorry for your situation op. It does sound like it would be hard to come back from this. What would you regret more- aborting and then it not working or keeping the baby then it not working. Hopefully neither and things will settle once your oh has calmed down but just a thought.

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TryingToThinkPositively · 01/08/2018 19:10

I truly don't know how I would cope with three on my own, financially, mentally or physically.
I think having three so close in age is a struggle for even the strongest of couples, but doing it solo sounds terrifying.

OH and I have had a rough year. I won't go in to the ins and outs of it all, but we've come close to breaking up more than once. I do think having an abortion I'm not 100% set on will have huge ramifications.

Am I being unreasonable to expect a sorry from OH? Or even a simple 'thank you' for doing what he wants, despite my own personal thoughts and feelings? Because he's done neither of those, and I feel like I'm at least owed that Sad

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sagasleathertrousers · 01/08/2018 19:11

What a difficult situation. He's being an idiot to be angry about it, you are completely right about it being completely reasonable that if he felt so strongly he should have worn a bloody condom.

Is he right about the financial situation? Will you really really struggle? I think this needs consideration.

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