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Pregnancy

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

Husband doesn’t want rainbow baby

15 replies

MaudePie · 03/03/2025 07:21

This time last year I found out I was pregnant with a very much wanted second child (for financial and practical reasons we had to wait several years after our first). Unfortunately, despite a scan where all was well, the baby died at 12 weeks and it was very distressing. At the time DH said we’d keep trying and do whatever it took, including looking at adoption if necessary.

I’ve felt quite alone during the ttc process as, while I’ve changed my diet, been taking supplements, tracked cycles etc DH has done nothing - and whenever I’ve said we should dtd as it’s a fertile window he’s either been “too tired” or not able to finish. So I stopped telling him anything about windows and just “gone with the flow” (at his request) - which has been quite stressful when a month has gone passed with no chance of conception and my age is not on my side.

Last week I found out that I am pregnant - I’m delighted and terrified in equal measure. However, DH’s reaction was completely flat, and he chose that moment to tell me that he had changed his mind and doesn’t want another child, but hadn’t worked out when to tell me yet.

Of course he is entitled to change his mind, and to be apprehensive given how traumatic the loss was, but I feel completely betrayed. It’s hard not to feel as though the relationship is over - if I lose this baby I’ll be devastated again, but will know that he is glad; if I’m lucky enough to keep the baby then it’ll be a baby he didn’t want. Has anyone else been in this position and got though it as a couple?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 03/03/2025 07:24

My DH became very distant when I had my last, despite saying he was happy to try. There was no affection at all during the pregnancy, but when baby was born he kissed me, and everything went back to normal from that point.

JimHalpertsWife · 03/03/2025 07:25

He is a coward for not being up front about a second baby, and continuing to ttc. You need to decide what you want - to continue the pregnancy or not. He can then choose to leave if he thinks that's preferable. You've done nothing wrong here.

Balloonney · 03/03/2025 07:31

Not making excuses for him- but you know what he's like as a person, any chance its a self defence mechanism as he is scared after the loss? Appreciate it's still not nice to hear and can see why you're upset, but if it's out of character might be worth talking to him about it. He might of course be being honest, but if you feel it's a 360 worth considering before running through the worst case scenarios.

Tiswa · 03/03/2025 07:32

He may well change after the 12 week scan as this could be a defence mechanism and he may well need some counselling as well it sounds as if it is his reaction to the trauma

Mindymomo · 03/03/2025 07:34

Could it just be down to him not being able to face the worry of you being pregnant, I agree with others, if he was adamant about not wanting another child, then he should have told you, but it’s too late now. Look after yourself and try not to worry about the future, it will look after itself.

JimHalpertsWife · 03/03/2025 07:37

DustyLee123 · 03/03/2025 07:24

My DH became very distant when I had my last, despite saying he was happy to try. There was no affection at all during the pregnancy, but when baby was born he kissed me, and everything went back to normal from that point.

Edited

Did he apologise for how he treated you during the pregnancy?

Bornnotbourne · 03/03/2025 07:47

I’d get him some counselling asap. I’ve recently found out that my partner has ongoing depression since our losses nearly a decade ago. He’s been horrible to live with and has left us twice. It only came out as a close friend lost a child and he couldn’t speak about it. Because our society doesn’t allow us to talk about baby loss there will be other men out there like this.

Skittles123456 · 03/03/2025 08:13

I agree with others who suggested depression. I’m so sorry, I’ve been through something similar. I had a horrible miscarriage where the baby died at 10 weeks. Ended up going through Ivf to get pregnant again. Dh announced he didn’t want another baby after the ivf was finished and we had 2 embryos to try in the freezer. It turned out he was depressed and had counselling and started medications and things are better now. I was so disappointed and devastated at the time.

Zenbra · 03/03/2025 08:16

I went through similar. We miscarried and then agreed that we would try again. Upon finding out I was pregnant, I was terrified and my DH just completely shut down. He said that he didn't think he wanted anymore children. Although we attended all the appointments we didn't really talk about or fully acknowledge the pregnancy. It was more that we went through the motions. We went on to have a successful pregnancy and he absolutely adores our child. He did later admit that he was worried about me after the previous miscarriage and didn't want to see me going through that again. He just wanted to protect me and felt he couldn't do that whilst I was pregnant and there was the risk that it wouldn't be successful. And I completely understand that as I had the same mindset of distancing myself to protect myself.

ForPoliteHam · 03/03/2025 08:24

He's been telling you for months he didn't want a child, without words, I can only assume you were blinded by wanting another baby and ignored it.

It's obvious from your post he didn't want another one all along imo, but now you need to decide what to do about it.

Whyherewego · 03/03/2025 08:28

Did you both do any grief counselling about the lost baby ? It sounds like DH is potentially suffering still from that and had concern about TTC from his behaviour that you described.
I'd encourage you to talk to him about his feelings and what is behind this stated desire not to have another baby.
Good luck for your pregnancy

MaudePie · 03/03/2025 08:53

Thank you all for your responses, I really appreciate it.

@DustyLee123 @Zenbra I’m sorry to hear that you each went through that and glad that things got better!

@JimHalpertsWife I definitely want this baby (hoping that it sticks - I am feeling very cautious about getting too excited). I just want to be as happy as I can about this given that caution, but now feel that I can’t.

@Balloonney, @Tiswa, @Mindymomo that may well be the case. Counselling is a good shout @Bornnotbourne, @Skittles123456 - he has had depression in the past (although is very resistant to arranging counselling and only ever gets treatment if I force him to do so, which isn’t great).

@ForPoliteHam yes, that has crossed my mind as well (although his behaviour hasn’t been that surprising - he isn’t one for planning or giving up short-term comfort for long-term gain, and hates being told what to do); I guess I trusted too much when he said we would do whatever it took.

@Whyherewego I had counselling at the time; DH was supposed to but never got around to arranging it.

OP posts:
TinyMouseTheatre · 03/03/2025 09:01

My DH was a bit distant and he was worried, by that point we'd lost two during PG and had one LO. For him he just couldn't cope with the thought of losing another baby during PG.

He did apologise though and he never once told me that he didn't want to baby.

Your "D"H has chosen the worst possible time to tell you this.

Isthiswhatmenthink · 03/03/2025 10:59

DustyLee123 · 03/03/2025 07:24

My DH became very distant when I had my last, despite saying he was happy to try. There was no affection at all during the pregnancy, but when baby was born he kissed me, and everything went back to normal from that point.

Edited

I don’t think I could have forgiven that. And I think I’d have shoved him off for trying to kiss me in that moment. Just no.

Floralnomad · 03/03/2025 11:09

What comes out of your post to me is that you’ve made it a bit of a mission / obsession to get pregnant again and you admit it’s been stressful when he hasn’t performed on cue or efficiently and I imagine that has made you not the easiest person to live with . I’m not excusing what he’s said but by not being on board with the programme you must have had an inkling that this wasn’t his dream like it was yours . Perhaps he will come round , I hope so , but I reckon he’s scared of it going wrong again and he’s scared of what will happen with you if it does . Hope it all works out for you 💐

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