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

How to shield myself from negative father and brother during end of pregnancy.

3 replies

Summerdaysjulie · 14/06/2025 23:43

For context: my mum has end stage/advanced malignancy. I realised I was pregnant at about the same time of her diagnosis. I was looking forward to maternity leave and welcoming baby with her. My husband lives in another city (which is I lived and worked in). We agreed I would spend time with her and move to welcome the baby with her in the month and a half of mat leave and 2 months after. This was the plan.
I moved across the country (as have been feeling I had missed her and am losing out on time with her) and I love her alot. (I managed to attend 3 of her chemotherapy sessions taking trains when pregnant to (6 hours away) to visit). This has passed and I worked throughout pregnancy in hopes she'll make it to my maternity leave and she has.
She is happy and looking forward to the baby. The problem lies in my brother and father. My brother is unemployed and stays at home all day being uncooperative/unhelpful.(this has been the case for years 8 years he claims to be studying for an exam but never has- he does not help my father at work who sets off each day to work). This would be ok if he left me alone but he goes out of his way sometimes to tell me to leave. He refused to budge to make room for babies' temporary nursery and i was like ok fine. (and made me stay in the smallest room- which has triggered some health issues). He gives the whole house an aura of hopelessness. My mum enables him to a point.
My father is no better telling me to go back to my husband (calling my life and marriagea failure and repeatedly and roundly disparaging and criticising me). They refuse to get me medicine sometimes (do not see it as a priority). I am heavily pregnant now.
This was why I moved across the country to forge my own way and indeed thankfully I have succeeded thankfully/academically, I am respected at my work and loved. Yes I did have problems with my husband whom I insisted on marrying without their approval but this dies not warrant abuse from their side.
I am independent and have enough to go by on my own even with maternity leave money. I can leave. I even considered a sea holiday just to escape this and recalibrate my peace of mind with my baby ( which I can potentially afford on top of moving out)- I was heavily criticised by my father for thinking of this.
The question is should I rent a place near my mum so she can still see the baby and so I have these memories or should I go back with my husband (we live 6 hours away) but this will mean she will miss precious time with baby. At the same time, husband seems to be evading responsibility.
At this point, I just want to leave for peace of mind but not sure if I will regret this decision. This is not how I imagined my maternity leave to be. I thought I will be bringing happiness into my mums life by her witnessing the birth of my baby but at this point I am not sure this is the environment i want. Please advise.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
MarxistMags · 15/06/2025 00:01

Could you stay in an Air B and B near Mum until baby is born and maybe 2 weeks after ? Presumably husband will be joining you very soon. You will need his support with baby and for you.
Then Mum will see lots of her new Grandchild and you don't have to interact with Dad and Brother.

T1Dmama · 14/12/2025 11:43

Your father and brother sound horrible.
Have you actually spoken to your father about your reasons for being there? Does your mum actually want you there ? Is she well enough to be at the both ? Is husband joining you so he is also there for the babies arrival and early life?
Is your husband visiting while you’re there?
I would have a word with your dad and brother and explain that you want your mum to meet your baby and then you’ll leave… see what their attitude to this is…
Would your mum come and stay with you and your DH? Or would she stay in an air B&B with you near by so you don’t have to be around your dad and brother at all.
You’re clearly trying so hard to give your mum sometime with her first grandchild, but if it were me I think I’d get someone to take a nice photo of you both standing face to face with both your hands on your baby bump…. I’d go home to DH & just travel down together with newborn and take some lovely photos of mum and newborn together, stay for a week somewhere with DH & baby and invite mum there too… Then I’m afraid I’d say your goodbyes to your family and go back to your own home again..
If you ever regret it then remind yourself that your brothers attitude and your father prevented this, not you! And re-evaluate your relationship with them both after mum has passed away… maybe that will be when you go low or no contact with them other than a yearly Christmas card and baby pic!

BudgetBuster · 14/12/2025 13:22

Your family seem like jerks but I'd say your Dad and brother feel pretty put out by your arrival. They've been a household of 3 for a long time and probably have their own routines and are also obviously dealing with your mums diagnosis. Tbh I'm not sure why you'd expect your brother to give up his room for who knows how long?
Did your mum request you to come and stay?
How is your husband avoiding responsibility? I don't understand that piece

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