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Pregnancy

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

Pregnancy paranoia/relationship worries

2 replies

BinnyWeasley · 03/02/2025 14:34

Sorry, this is going to be a ramble.

H used to work in an office - left around 4 years ago, we have been together 8 years. There were various little disagreements around relationships with some of his female colleagues which in hindsight were pretty much 100% me being paranoid/low self-esteem. About a year before he left, a new girl started working with him, they got on v well and would often joke around in the office etc, and we would see her outside of work. By this time I was over my blip and she seemed nice. She's one of those funny/smart/gorgeous types and admittedly I was a bit jealous of her getting to be that person while I was 'just me'. The other thing is that Hs dating history had all been girls of this type, and I am very much not 'that type'. Anyway, he ended up matchmaking her with one of his close friends and they are now happily married. As time went by, I think I realised that she wasn't my kind of person, she was my exact opposite and I resented her confidence/beauty and I told H that I struggled spending time with her. He was always very defensive and there wasn't really much in the way of understanding of my feelings.

I've sort of always wondered if the situation was different back when they started working together, would he have pursued her if we werent dating? Did he/does he find her attractive (honestly wouldn't blame him)? I think in my heart of hearts, I think I probably know the answer and I wonder if marrying me was just 'settling'

Anyway, we hadn't seen them for over a year and popped over for lunch, had a lovely time catching up and all was well. On the way home, he spent the whole journey in a daydream of sorts, I mean it was honestly like he wasn't there. A few times I'd say something/point out a landmark and he either didn't respond for being too deeply in thought or would ask me to repeat - we were both sat in the front seats so there was no way he couldn't have heard me. When I looked over he was either having a little conversation with himself or staring blankly out of the window. It was odd and it wasn't a short journey either. He said it was just his mind running wild and thinking about all sorts of things but the timing is what has me worried.

My brain is now holding me hostage to thoughts that he was thinking about her - about what was, what could've been. Her and her H have a 1 year old now and I am 35 weeks pregnant, she is positively glowing and is obviously a fab mum and I just feel fat, unattractive and pretty useless.

We've never spoken about this and to be honest I can't envision him being able to tell me anything that is going to stop me from feeling this way.

I'm also struggling with the fact that H's entire family are rather upper class and all privately educated whereas I/my family are not - babies cousins will all be going to prep/private school and he will be state schooled. I am terrified that he won't feel good enough and that it's all my fault for not coming from a well-off background or not making enough money. H had always been surrounded by women (either school/uni/work) who came from well-off backgrounds and he got on with incredibly well and instead he's ended up with me

Babies not even been born yet and I feel like I've let him down already.

Is this just pregnancy paranoia? I've spent most of the day crying at my work laptop and avoiding phone calls. Whenever baby moves I feel like he must know how I'm feeling and it perpetuates the immense sadness that I am doing a crap job at all of this and it's affecting him even on the womb.

OP posts:
ALM2207 · 03/02/2025 15:39

Hiya, I didn't want to read and run so just sending you a huge hug, and lots of strength and support. Pregnancy is such a weird time, it's amazing in so many ways, but also can be so incredibly isolating at times. Our bodies and minds go through monumental changes throughout, which I don't think are given enough credit... These pesky hormones are responsible for so much, including emotional wobbles - I've definitely had relationship paranoia in pregnancy that wouldn't otherwise be there.

I don't think I'm particularly helpful I'm afraid, and I don't want to assume your husbands feelings are one way or another as it's hard not knowing any of you in the situation, but can you talk to him about some of your feelings? You don't have to mention the other girl/woman, or you can if you feel it would help the conversation... Or just have a more general chat about feeling insecure or down/low in pregnancy and apprehensive about what's to come. You might be surprised as his reaction and reassurance of his love for you and your exciting new arrival - sometimes men just don't realise things, they just bumble along in their own little worlds...

Do you have girlfriends, your Mum/a sister you can talk to? Sometimes just talking things over with another close female is really helpful, if only to get everything off your chest and out of your own head a bit.

As I say sorry I haven't particularly been helpful but wishing you lots of luck and love, and happiness with your new arrival x

Harriet1989 · 04/02/2025 05:29

Hey OP, as someone who was privately educated and comes from a well-off family I'd say this is something I don't often tell people, and usually prefer people not to know. It's always seemed to me to be a negative rather than a positive. These aren't things I chose.. and many people are in a similar situation financially as me without these significant head starts from my parents.

I say this because your post suggests an 'assumption' that these are strong positives going for your DH and his friends - when they may not see it that way at all. You're no less a person at all - these aren't personality traits, they're luck of the draw.

Your husband chose you. As someone whose ex husband did leave for someone he met at work - he has made a choice and he doesn't have to stick with it, I'd like to think he chooses you every day rather than is 'stuck' with you!! There could have been any number of things going through his head on that drive. If it was my partner it would have been something about their house that set him off on a project thinking for ours. But my mind went to that he was imagining you and he having a one year old - it's like a window into your future as you're pregnant and they have the baby.

It's possible he had a crush on her and is still thinking about what might have been. She may not have felt the same about him. Anything is possible but doesn't mean it's the truth. It doesn't sound like he's done anything 'wrong' and I've personally always decided my friendships are important - with men and women.

Have you considered speaking with someone yourself? I found it so helpful, someone to help you sort through your thoughts and may help you structure your thinking for speaking with your DH about it which I think is the end goal

Best of luck OP, I can feel the hurt in your words and wish I could give you a big hug. You are worthy of love, you are no less a person because you didn't go to a private school xxxx

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