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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Pregnant & paranoid? Or is DH having affair?

198 replies

Mebloo · 17/08/2011 20:24

I have namechanged for this. The aim is to write as a kind of diary (that DH cannot find) to help me process my very convoluted thoughts. Common-sense, supportive comments and hand-holding welcome.

The background: I am 7 months pregnant with our second child. We have been married about 9 years. Things were going well until ttc this child - DH was ambivalent at best, and thought we should stick at one. I talked him round. Then we had a mc and I re-persuaded him.

So he's not really been "on board" this pregnancy. His worries as stated have centred on the negative effects of a second child, e.g., time, logistics, finances. He has been a bit distant since I started to show, and now never initiates affectionate exchanges, let alone passionate ones. My self esteem is at rock bottom. He has also been quite snappy in recent months - leaving me feeling like I can never do anything right.

To be continued...

OP posts:
lifechanger · 22/08/2011 08:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PhilipJFry · 22/08/2011 08:29

I'm very sorry to hear that Mebloo- take care of yourself and I hope you get better soon. It must be hard enough to find all of this out without being sick as well, try to focus on your health and getting well. Prioritise yourself and what you need right now- you're going to be going through a complex array of emotions so do what feels right for you.

Mummy2May · 22/08/2011 08:36

Hello Mebloo,
You're probably not thinking very straight at the moment but I wanted to offer some practical support for when you need it. My ex walked out on me when our daughter was 3 and our newborn just 2 months old, but we had been told our baby was terminally ill. When I recovered from the shock, I managed the divorce and the care of my children (until my son passed) by myself. My ex, unsurprisingly, soon set up home with his 'good friend' from work but realised what he had lost and kept asking for another chance.
When I met the man who is now my fiancé, he had been separated from his wife for 8 months. I supported him through his divorce and the child contact process too, this was very different to my own divorce. We did a lot of the work ourselves to save money and its not as hard as you might think.
If you need any practical advice, feel free to drop me a line. Sometimes concentrating on the practicalities helps to focus your thoughts. I hope you keep well and strong.

MadAboutHotChoc · 22/08/2011 08:37

So sorry you are going through this - do offload to a RL friend and I would also confront your H (but don't reveal how much/little you actually know).

Mummy2May · 22/08/2011 08:50

Sorry Mebloo, I've just thought that my post is very negative and may not be the path you want to walk at all. Sometimes people get lost in a relationship and are able to work through their differences. You'll know what's best for you, good luck.

Mitmoo · 22/08/2011 09:03

Mummy So sorry to hear of your loss, you didn't come across as negative at all its another route, another choice that just doesn't have to be made until the OP is ready to make it.

Personally I'd wait until he came home, smile sweetly at him then lynch him, not saying that is the right way but I think the OP is showing remarkable restraint right now and I admire her for that.

MajorB · 22/08/2011 09:39

OP if you are seeing your midwife today you need to explain to her that your H has possibly been unfaithful so she can check you for STI's. I know it's not very good to think about, but if your (not-so-D) H has passed something onto you from the OW, it could affect the baby's health.
Please make sure you get this checked, and so sorry that you are going through this. Sad

MajorB · 22/08/2011 09:40

Sorry, I should have said ^ the baby's health as well as yours (especially if you're feeling poorly at the moment). Take care x

readywithwellies · 22/08/2011 10:08

Mebloo - I have been there. Please take one piece of advice - the sooner you do the quicker you will recover.

Do not believe a damn word that comes out of his mouth. He is not your dh he is a lowlife twat who has given no respect to you or your dd. Do not trust him to do anything he says he will. Do not trust any mutual friends with information. Get rid asap he will poison your mind.

X

Mebloo · 22/08/2011 21:42

Struggling with RL support at the mo - mainly cos I have DD with me all day in the hols, and know I will completely lose it when I do speak to a friend. I've picked out 2 to tell, after screening out the mutual friends, the ones who will rush in to shout at H on my behalf, the gossips, etc. Couldn't tell MW either as DD there, but blubbed anyway as felt so shite! Don't think STIs are a problem, as was swagger for them at 20 weeks and have not had sex since anyway. Good point though.

DD goes back to school next week, so from that point I'll start booking in the friend chats, advice visits, possibly even a DH confrontation? Hopefully you lot will keep me sane until then! Thanks for all the different perspectives.

OP posts:
Mebloo · 22/08/2011 21:44

Erm, swagger = swabbed

OP posts:
readywithwellies · 22/08/2011 22:00

It's hard, it's shit but keep posting.

Wabbit · 23/08/2011 00:46

You sound as though you're doing brilliantly Mebloo - we'll be here Smile Did your midwife ask about your chest infection? Did you tell her how ill you're feeling?

Well done for doing the friend screening, no toxic friends allowed when you need to air your troubles and not theirs!!! Grin And of course you don't need anyone bursting in on your H guns blazing! Fantastic that there are two friends you can trust - they will have slightly different perspectives and this will help you see things more clearly (not that you sound as though you need to!)

It's fantastic you're confident that there's no possibility of an STI, something I would never have thought about tbh.

Does DD enjoy school? I'm sure she'll be happy to see all her friends again and, remember, you are going to be her emotional compass in the coming months, be honest about how you feel and she will learn to be able to cope with her own emotions.

Keep doing things together, just for the two of you to enjoy - get paints out, read to her loads and loads and loads, you could research some good books about children in the middle of family troubles... there will be something out there suitable - as long as your dd learns ways to express her emotions, they wont become baggage for her. If you can find things to do at home that you will be able to continue to do when her baby brother or sister arrives, it will help her to adjust to the changes in her life.

I'm so sorry you're going through all this, just know you're a capable woman (with finely tuned intuition) who will come through this, stronger and more 'the real you' than ever... keep posting.

Mebloo · 23/08/2011 09:17

E-mailed one friend overnight with the basics, and will phone later while DD is at a friend's house (assuming I can speak... voice has gone).
Midwife suggested GP appointment for chest - I was going to go this morning, but actually feel a bit more human now - no raging fevers overnight at least. Still have a really horrible cough though that makes my entire chest and belly muscles hurt. On the plus side, it's making me remember my pelvic floor exercises (sorry if tmi).
H is being unusually nice today. Tea in bed, volunteered a kiss on the lips in spite of lurgy. Not quite sure what to make of it. Either he feels sorry for me because I'm poorly, suspects me of suspecting and is trying to cover up, or the affair is fizzling out as he realises how wonderful I am!
Right - off to think of something nice to do with DD today. Paints are good idea - weather is shite.

OP posts:
Spellcheck · 23/08/2011 09:40

Mebloo - I am so, so sorry to hear about your H. Terrible news, especially when you are so vulnerable. Having been through the heartbreak myself I can feel for you and you've had some amazing advice and support on here - these girls are fab.

Just want to share my experience with you, I hope it gives you some hope that there is a future. Sorry it's so long.

ExH still hasn't told me who he had the affair with, though I have heard from several sources that it was as I suspected all along before I even found out for sure; a friend of mine that worked for us, older than me, married with 3 kids, and WHO HE LIVES WITH NOW, God he thinks I'm stupid.

My 3 DCs had to watch me fall apart. He insisted on staying,which didn't help. Deluded, he carried on with the affair, thinking I didn't know - we even had a family holiday with friends which was a nightmare as he kept disappearing off, and we all knew where he was going with that phone. Totally humiliating. As was his repeatedly saying 'God, you're paranoid, you need to see a doctor, you need help' for six months before I found out and six months afterwards.

As he didn't want to leave, naturally I thought he wanted to stay and bullied him into counselling (disaster - you both have to want it to work). He admitted the marriage was over but insisted he hadn't hurt me and all was fine - three years later he still can't admit what he did to his family. After the 'holiday' it still took me two months to kick him out, and that is when he could tell everyone that I ended the marriage, even though everyone knew what he'd been up to!! Idiot.
The DCs watched me go through every emotion imaginable. They knew he was lying to me and to them, and I was so worried for them.

However, though he is a complete arsehole, and has got worse, he never ever stopped telling the DCs how much he loved them no matter what. I didn't, either, we both told them that not much would change, and the fact we were able to keep living in the house probably helped with that so I guess we were lucky. He was able to tell them that everything was going to be ok, nothing would ever change the way he felt about them, and after he went he had them twice a week. I am proud to say that despite what he did to me, my DCs never felt he was doing it to them because he still loved them, and so did I. They have come through without a scratch. I have cross-questioned their friends' parents, teachers and whoever else comes into contact with them, and had nothing but positive feedback. I think the key is to make sure that your DD knows she is going to be just fine, and that by seeing her Dad she isn't being disloyal to you. If children don't feel they are to blame at all, and that you are both there for them if not each other, they know they will be looked after. I think the thought of 'but what will happen to me?' frightens children.

Three years on, I have an amazing DP (9 years younger, get in), and we have just found out we are expecting a baby. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. I suspect my DCs prefer him to me...and he adores them back. ExH is still with OW, though I have recently heard from a few sources that he's been sh*ing two other (married) girls in the office, so guess he will never change. Can't help but secretly smile to myself...I'm not paranoid, my senses are super-tuned! I was worried I'd have trust issues with subsequent relationships but can tell you that not all men behave in that shabby way, there are definitely some wonderful guys out there.

Mebloo it's a shitty time for you, but I promise you that whatever you decide to do (and please give yourself time to decide), you will come out of this with two amazing DCs who will grow up to respect their amazing Mum who went through all that but still loved and supported them. Please keep posting, let us know how you are doing. (((((hugs)))))

smellimelli · 23/08/2011 12:49

Mebloo, I cannot begin to imagine what a god awful time you are going through at the moment.

I can only suggest that you have a good long think about what YOU want before you do/say anything to H.

I have a very good friend whose H had an affair. It was the most terrible time for them and their family, they literally all went to hell and back. Eventually (2+ years later and counselling for couple and individually) they returned to living together.

They now have a strong relationship and have learnt from what happened. I'm not condoning the affair but I am saying that, if it's what you and H want, it doesn't have to be the end of the marriage.

Of course, you may decide that is what you want and at that stage,as others have suggested, I'd get legal advice.

Big hugs, hope you feel better soon so you can cope a bit better.

DialMforMummy · 23/08/2011 13:35

Sorry about your situation Mebloo. It is truly awful.
I think you should go and see a solicitor for advice.
When are you planning to talk to your husband?
Sometimes I think that what you are thinking/imagining is making things worse because you end up winding yourself up IYSWIM.
I wish you the best of luck and hope you'll feel better soon.

MadAboutHotChoc · 23/08/2011 13:48

If I were in your position, I would talk to H - there is no way I could be that restrained although I can understand your reasons.

A lot of affairs end when they have been found out - this is what happened to us, as soon as I told H what I discovered, the bubble burst and he realised that it was all a fantasy and that he didn't want to leave us. If I had confronted him earlier, the affair would not have escalated so much - I so wish I had picked up on the signs as it would have saved so much heartache and pain...

Wabbit · 23/08/2011 16:19

How funny that your H is being unusually nice :- he must be picking up vibes that something inside you has changed, I'm sure this is very unsettling for someone who's doing the dirty!

It must be easier having him being nice, but I'm probably right in guessing it's for his benefit and not yours. (Am I being too harsh?)

Well done for e-mailing friend Smile I hope it was cathartic, I always found it good to put things in writing, and it'll be a record of what you found out, when and why...

Someone mentioned storing evidence: now, I don't want you to get hung up of finding incriminating texts and e-mails, bills and invoices but, I think it's a good idea to have some physical evidence, just in case he attempts any 'it's all your overactive imagination' bollocks when you eventually out his affair.

Chin up my dear, glad you're feeling a bit better 'chest-wise' today Smile

HeifferunderConstruction · 23/08/2011 17:18

It doesnt sound too good

Is there anyway you can have a nosey??

the best defence is an offence

HeifferunderConstruction · 23/08/2011 17:22

Sorry just caught up, I am sorry :(

Confronted yet??

Mebloo · 24/08/2011 06:37

Thanks for all the messages, especially spellcheck - your story made me smile, cry and laugh ("get in!") all at once. I am definitely taking the advice to store the evidence - have a password protected word doc on the computer, and a small collection of photocopied receipts.
After yesterday morning's "nice" H, the evening one was cold and distant. At least now I know it's just him being weird, compared to the last few months when I felt it was me who had done something wrong.
Had a fruitful day yesterday - DD watched some TV in the morning while I did some research about our general financial position, including finding a stash of H's bank statements, which I will peruse and copy as necessary once she is at school. We did some painting, and had a nice lunch ( well, she did, I don't seem to have an appetite). Then she went to play with a friend while I phoned a friend, who was bloody brilliant as I knew she would be.
The plan: see friend and solicitor a week on Friday. Gather thoughts over weekend. Wangle way to see H Monday lunchtime to talk/confront.
Gut feeling so far is that I would like us to work our way through these problems, but I appreciate that may not be one of the choices on the table. As for the timing - if the affair has been going on since at least early June, is a couple of weeks more really going to make any difference? I think I found out too late to nip anything in the bud.

OP posts:
countingto10 · 24/08/2011 07:29

Well done Mebloo - knowledge is/will be power. Remember you do not have to do anything in haste, getting legal advice is just that - advice. You do not have to act on it. Hopefully when the affair is brought into the open, your H will have a harsh reality check and will want to work the marriage and keep the family together.

It will be an emotional rollercoaster for you, even more so with the pregnancy Sad. Remember to do things that make you feel better, get a manicure, new hair style etc.

I think it will be very much one day at a time atm - good luck.

Wabbit · 24/08/2011 08:26

Oh good for you, sounds as though you've picked the right friend and have a good plan, we're here for your low moments so if you need to vent or berate just give us the nod and we'll be listening Smile have a good as possible day mebloo

Mebloo · 25/08/2011 05:32

Well I got through another day. Tried to go outdoors with DD so she could have a scamper. Felt bad because, well, I'm just not much fun at the minute. I put smiles on my face when she does daft things but I can feel that the smile isn't really there, iyswim, and I wonder if she can see that? I feel myself wishing away the time before she goes back to school, whereas I should be enjoying these last few precious days because by the next time she is on holiday there will be a baby as well. DD is also starting to make plans for Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, and it just breaks my heart, e.g. "Mummy, can we have the best Christmas EVER this year?" All of these plans involve Daddy too, of course. I just don't know what to say to her, so I agree. I guess later on, as things become clearer, I might need to do some expectation management with her.

Sorry for rambling on. These are some of the things keeping me awake at night.

OP posts: