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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Girlfriend has shown her hand!

344 replies

Ccooped1 · 18/11/2019 17:09

Hi, Im extremely sad and angry with myself over the position I have let myself get into. I am a single dad with custody of 3 young children (aged 4, 6, and 8 YO). I work full time and raise my children on my own and have done for the last 3.5 years. They are amazing and we work so well as a family unit - life couldn't be any better under the circumstances. I moved away from family for work several years ago so my nearest family member is 120 miles away... At present my children have not seen their mom for 19 months as she has moved away without any idea. I get zero support, of which I don't moan about as i'm fortunate to have a good job and be motivated to my children. They have everything children need, an extremely special bond with me, they are taught morals / values, have life experiences etc. Again I am lucky to be able to do this. I have got my head down over the initial 3 years on my own ensuring my children are in a good place emotionally after the disappearing act of mother.
I have just done the basics right, worked hard, renovated a house for us to grow old in, and been a dads taxi of course.

Anyway now the scene is set, I have a major issue. Over the last year I have been building a relationship with a girl who I thought was very caring and in a similar position to me would be a safe bet. We have been open about our situation, limited time we spent together and agreed on things like kids, marriage moving in together etc. It was clear that as she had 2 children and I have 3, that I did not want any more children as it just doesn't make sense obviously to me and I dont want to change nappies for ever! Anyway after being on the pill she is pregnant and basically told me to f off she is keeping it. I know we can all say you should have not listened to her and used a condom but it has been a year and i thought trust was there. My point of view is that I have been clear from day one and this is all against my consent. She already has 2 children off different dads and I am not judging by this but surely she wants solid foundations to void being in her current position again. She has told me that she is having it regardless of what I say. I know her kids dads are not the best so she wants a good dad but this is all wrong. She is not listening to me and everytime I try and talk calmly to her she goes off on one and i see a side I never once thought was there. I understand that there is nothing i can do so this message really is me venting off and hoping that someone can tell me they have had something similar or what on earth I am going to do. I would never ever walk away from a child so I will be there for it no matter what, with regards to the mother I cannot be false and this is betrayal and whilst I am not a nasty person I cannot move forward with a women like this. I feel such a fool!!

OP posts:
Cantdoitanymorehelp · 18/11/2019 17:12

When you stopped using condoms did you discuss with her what you would both want to happen if contraception fails?

Sounds like you are blaming her.

NeutralJanet · 18/11/2019 17:15

It takes two to make a baby, no contraception is 100% so you are right that you should have doubled up with a condom if you were going to take it so badly. Has she actually told you she wanted to get pregnant or are you just assuming, you sound very bitter and your comment about having kids to different dads is just nasty, she was good enough for you when you were together.

dontalltalkatonce · 18/11/2019 17:15

You never wanted any more kids. So you should have got a vasectomy. You didn't or use condoms. So you're having a 4th child. See your GP and ask for a vasectomy as you've got 4 kids to support. The time for blaming her is over. You never wanted any more kids, so get sterilised.

Pukeworthy · 18/11/2019 17:19

'This is betrayal' - it isnt unless you have evidence she was NOT taking the pill Hmm

EmmiJay · 18/11/2019 17:23

I bet she saw you coming a mile off really. Its sad but there are women like this out there. You should have maybe 'snip snipped' to guarentee (to an extent) that no more babies would come from you.

KittenLedWeaning · 18/11/2019 17:23

I might get flamed for this, but I think you've been trapped, OP. It's an awful situation to be in, and I think some of the responses here are harsh - this was a long term relationship and you'd expect to be able to trust your partner.

There isn't anything you can do except make the best of it and focus on being a good parent to the new arrival once he/she comes along. It doesn't sound as though there's a future for you and this woman, as, even if it was a genuine contraceptive failure, her 'fuck off' response, rather than having a sensible discussion, speaks volumes.

I do agree with pps that in future you should use a condom or get the snip, as you're certain you want no more children.

Wishing you luck.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 18/11/2019 17:26

Is she saying the pill failed or was she just not taking it?

At the end of the day it is her choice and contraception does fail and it's unfortunate but you'll need to step up here.

By all accounts you're a great dad to your 3 DC's. Be a great dad to this one too.

I'd also consider getting the snip.

FaFoutis · 18/11/2019 17:27

Was she on the pill or not?

Campervan69 · 18/11/2019 17:31

You need to have the snip. I'm sorry but once the sperm leaves your body you'll have no control over it so always make sure that you protect yourself in future.

loutypips · 18/11/2019 17:35

Get a vasectomy! That's the only way to ensure that any partner you have won't get pregnant.
Also, relying on the pill and not using condoms is a pretty stupid thing to do.

tinyvulture · 18/11/2019 17:36

My partner and I have kids from former marriages and don’t want any more. He’s had the snip, and I have the coil, so it would basically be a miracle if I got pregnant. However, I am clear in my mind that if I did - if his V hadn’t worked and my coil didn’t (that would be totally freaky, one in a million type odds, , I know) I WOULD have the baby. I have nothing at all against abortion, I think it is the right choice for any who want it, but I wouldn’t have one myself in those circumstances. Equally, I know my partner would wish me to have one. But he knows he would have to respect that it would be my body, my choice. I couldn’t and wouldn’t insist he stayed with me if I got pregnant. I’d hope that he would. But certainly I would be insisting he stepped up to his responsibilities to his child.

I’m sorry this has happened to you, OP. It’s shitty luck. But, that doesn’t give you the excuse to persecute your girlfriend.......

misspiggy19 · 18/11/2019 17:36

I bet she saw you coming a mile off really. Its sad but there are women like this out there.

^Completely agree though you won’t get any sympathy on here OP.

Joerev · 18/11/2019 17:37

Why do men do this? Didn’t want a child. Stopped using condoms. Assumed she took the pill

Now she’s pregnant. How dare she?!?

Take your own fertility into your control. No more kids. Then make sure you don’t. You can’t ever guarantee no child when there is sex. However there can be many ways. Vasectomy. The pill. Plus condoms.

It’s not up to the woman 100%!!!

misspiggy19 · 18/11/2019 17:37

Split up with her, the trust is gone. Let her know you’ll be there to support the baby.

Beautiful3 · 18/11/2019 17:39

You should never completely trust anyone. If you dont want a baby then use a condom, every single time. Nothing you can do about the situation, shes obviously going to keep it. Make sure you visit the baby and be a part of his/her life.

LemonBreeland · 18/11/2019 17:39

I agree you should have been more careful, bit what's done is done. I think you need to tell her clearly that she has broken your trust and the relationship is over, whether or not she keeps the baby.

I don't see how your relationship can survive this. She has betrayed you.

Bluerussian · 18/11/2019 17:39

Ccooped, the pill is usually reliable but sometimes things happen that make it not so: digestive problems for a start. I have known three people who became pregnant whilst taking the pill regularly. Please don't blame her too harshly, I realise it is disappointing for you but I'm sure it is for her too, she's just trying to make the best of it.

If I was in her position I would have a termination but I do know some women really cannot bear the thought of it and (in theory) no one should pressure someone to abort. It does happen - sometimes parents pressurise daughters in that way 'for their own good'.

On the other hand, if you talk to her kindly, she may decide she doesn't want another child, especially as she already has two by different fathers.

I agree with others that it doesn't sound as though you have a future with this woman but you will have to step up for the child at least. I do feel sorry for you. I've given her the benefit of the doubt because I honestly can't imagine she would have deliberately become pregnant.

In future, use condoms or, as suggested, have the snip.

All the best and please do let us know how things go.
Wine

Beautiful3 · 18/11/2019 17:40

Second the vascetomy too. Take control.

YippeeKayakOtherBuckets · 18/11/2019 17:42

I’m unclear about whether she was taking the pill or not? If she was then it’s not a betrayal, is it? Why haven’t you had a vasectomy?

XJerseyGirlX · 18/11/2019 17:45

Accidents happen , perhaps she didn't want another baby but can't bring herself to have an abortion. She needs your support not blame. I would have had a vasectomy if I was sure I didn't want any more children. Perhaps book yourself in for one now op before it happens with anyone else. I'm not saying she did it on purpose or by accident , but surely you know the pill isn't 100 % effective all of the time ?

dontalltalkatonce · 18/11/2019 17:46

Why do men do this? Didn’t want a child. Stopped using condoms. Assumed she took the pill

Because they assume contraception is women's work, including 'just' have an abortion if the contraception fails.

Jellybeansincognito · 18/11/2019 17:46

OP, you get my sympathy completely.

You thought you both were covered by contraception so didn’t take it upon yourself to take responsibility as you thought your partner had it taken care of.

You’re allowed to feel hurt for that.

Please take care of your own fertility in future though.

JasonPollack · 18/11/2019 17:47

Do you know that she wasn't taking the pill? Or are you angry with her because she won't be forced into an abortion? You are tied to this woman now so you need to accept your situation as much aals possible unfortunately.

Second the calls for a vasectomy.

DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 18/11/2019 17:47

It doesn't take much for the pill to fail. Is there anything to suggest that she definitely wasn't taking it at all?

Savingshoes · 18/11/2019 17:50

You seem to be a fantastic parent to your children already. I'm sure budgeting is tight and you feel like you have been taken for a ride but at the end of the day, you cannot change what is.
You are going to be a father again.
Time to focus on the future rather than who should have been the most responsible of contraception.

Congratulations!!

Also, pill can fail when you go on antibiotics, forget to take one, have D&V etc.

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