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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 and single :(

343 replies

Cherryblossom200 · 27/06/2014 17:41

Hi everyone,

Long story which I will try to condense as much as possible...I'm 38 and met a guy 4 months ago who is the same age. We met online and had an amazing first date which lasted 8 hours long. On the 2nd date we had another great time, but he told me he has a Visa for Australia. He was upfront and honest with me and said he plans to live there for good (he is from the UK) we said we would continue the relationship for the next 6 months before he leaves to see if it would blossom and then make a decision about whether he would stay and wait for me.

The next 3-4 months were great, a bit up and down whenever we brought up oz and naturally I was worried about getting in to deep emotionally if he would just up and leave at any stage. He instigated a lot of the relationship and dictated the speed etc, he took me away for a wonderful weekend, booked us a holiday away in the south of france. Was amazing. I fell in love with him pretty quickly, he was very attractive and had a great personality. He slowly introduced me to his close friends and brother (I didn't really introduce him to many of my close friends) according to his friend he hadnt done this before.

About 2 months into the relationship I confessed my feelings and told him I loved him, he said he wasnt sure if he was in love me yet. But continued the relationship anyway. About 3 weeks before we split up when I was about to break up with him because he wasn't being forthcoming with his plans for oz he told me he loved me. So I felt over the moon, was elated!

We had sex a number of times without protection, he knew I wasnt on birth control so seemed happy with taking the risk. We spoke about our desire to have kids all the time. He made it clear he wanted children and didn't seem phased that if he was to stay with me we would have to think about starting a family sooner rather than later (I made this clear to him when I first started dating him)

Anyway a week before we split up we visited his visa lawyer to discuss the possibility of us going to oz together in the future, after this he had a panic attack in the evening and broke up with me the next day.

Two days later I found out I was pregnant. I told him and it went down like a ton of bricks. He made it clear he doesn't want to be with me, said he shouldn't of told me he loved me as he doesn't love me, said he doesnt want this baby and asked me to have a termination.

I have decided to keep the baby and go it alone. I simply can't terminate at this age and I want the baby dearly. Though I would of preferred to be in a relationship!

I have a very supportive family and financially I will be fine.

The father is emotionally unstable so no idea what he will do. I truly suprised by his reaction as he went on about how much he wanted kids all the time and how he would make a great dad?! He spoke on holiday about what our kids would look like? I makes no sense whatsoever.

We are both from middle class families, his parents are both pyschologists (so I'm wondering if this is why he is so messed up?!) but I feel that I have been duped by a commitment phobe...

I own my own place, have pets etc. He lives in a flatshare with 5 other people, surfs and spends all his money travelling. He has never lived with a girl and the girls he has had relationships with he never loved. The only girl he properly loved he is still very close with 20 + years with, she lives in another country but they speak on skype all the time. It was unrequited love on his side, she isn't even aware that he loved her. He speaks about her fondly, thinks she is amazing and beautiful but it's very clear she isn't interested in him otherwise they would have got together years ago. Plus she is in a relationship with someone else. He sayd he no longer loves her...but I feel subconciously he still does.

He is seeking therapy now.

I think it's very sad this has happened. He has treated me terribly since I told him I was pregnant, he asked me to 'prove' my pregnancy by meeting him so he could do the test himself. Was utterly degrading and humiliating.

I have no idea what he will do now...maybe he will go to oz and leave us alone. Part of me hopes he will go. But another part of me would hope he wakes up to this and grows up. Deep down I know he desperatley wants a family and has a good heart, but he seems petrified/angry and feels I have trapped him.

Despite amazing support from friends and family, being pregnant for the first time and doing it on my own is lonely and daunting...

I'm only 6 weeks 4 days so still early days and I'm trying not to stress.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated? Do you think he will come around?

xx

OP posts:
Cherryblossom200 · 02/07/2014 11:06

Itsfab - have I explained his mental condition to you or anyone on here? No. Don't go making assumptions without knowing the facts. Comparing him to someone with PND is ridiculous when you do not know the facts about him.

You are making silly, unfounded comments and taking things out of context.

OP posts:
Twinklestein · 02/07/2014 11:08

Unreal your posts were deleted because you were trying to browbeat the OP into an abortion, despite her stating clearly she did not want one.

I fail to see, slithy, how that is bringing 'reality' to any situation.

I considered asking the mods to ban her outright, I've never seen anything so disgraceful on here, but I was too lazy to report her.

The reality is that the OP is happy for the father to be involved, despite his total lack of interest thus far. So dark warnings are completely beside the point. The passive aggression directed at the OP seems much more about you than her.

RabidFairy · 02/07/2014 11:15

"I'm not taking part or justifying/explaining my plans to a complete stranger who feels it's her right to ask me personal questions about my situation. It's no ones business."

Oh the irony of posting on a public forum and then posting this...

Good luck with your pregnancy and with motherhood OP. I genuinely hope your dreams come true, but remember that Mumsnet is a font of ALL knowledge and experience, even the stuff you don't want to think about.

Passthedamnhamplease · 02/07/2014 11:21

Poor OP - I can't believe how this thread has gone.

I was in a similar ish situation 2 years ago when I found I was pregnant by an ex. Never a serious relationship and he wanted me to get an abortion. I took him to counselling to help him understand why I wouldn't and I haven't heard from him since. I wanted to draw a line under it and counselling helped do that. DC is now 20 months old. I would have tried to make his involvement work but he didn't respond to my message inviting him to the scan at 13 weeks or my subsequent message telling him I had the baby so I have left it.

He is not on the birth certificate as he wasn't with me and we are not married. He does not have PR and as far as I know he doesn't want it. I don't think he has told anyone about the baby.

People keep saying oh, he will come round - but I don't know if he will (and while I would like DC to have a good relationship with him, I don't know how it would go and if he let him down constantly, no relationship may end up being better). He has put it in a box and pretended it hasn't happened I think. And I suspect the likelihood is that your ex will head off to Oz and do the same. All this crazy advice to think about the worst that COULD happen then use that to dictate your decision is ridiculous.

Having DC was the best thing I have ever done - I am happier than I have ever been (and I was not unhappy before - I never knew I wanted kids). I now have a new lovely boyfriend and if DC's dad turned up tomorrow I would do my best to make it work. I am not angry at him and I will never say anything negative about him to DC. However for me, the current set up is best as I can just focus on DC and not have to worry about factoring anyone else in.

Congratulations on your pregnancy - the thing that has helped me to make it work is being financially independent and owning my own home. It has taken away a major worry of being a single parent. Sounds like you are in a similar position. If I was you, I would take back the power with your ex and say to him that he is either in it and supportive or he is not and he leaves you to get on with the pregnancy. Maybe counselling could help you too?

Anyway, good luck - and ignore all the ridiculous comments on here.

Itsfab · 02/07/2014 11:22

Why are you asking me that when you know the answer, Cherry? Just silly.

You have been very offensive in your comments about people with mental illness and you can not be allowed to just type such rubbish.

My comments are not silly or unfounded and if you do not like people commenting on things don't post them and if you want to throw out how we don't know everything then don't be surprised when people make a comment based on what you have posted.

One other thing, you seem very anxious to control everything about this pregnancy and the child's future and you will soon realise there is very little you can control when it comes to a baby. It is very hard work at times and completely unpredictable. Your child has a right to two parents and while I know you don't really want the father around you it would be very sensible to get all his medical history as that might be very important in the child's health future.

unrealhousewife · 02/07/2014 11:27

No Twinkelstein that's misleading.

But most of your advice on here has been misleading so hey ho.

slithytove · 02/07/2014 11:32

Twinkle, you will see from reading my posts that I wasn't referring to the deleted messages, rather the later ones referring to current law and PR. But OP isn't fussed about that right now so it's moot.

slithytove · 02/07/2014 11:33

And are you saying I've been PA and issuing dark warnings?

Hardly.

Cherryblossom200 · 02/07/2014 11:40

I seem to have become public property with silly people. Do not ask me any further questions about my plans. Like I said it's none of your business.

As I have explained I am concentrating on my pregnancy right now. Where on earth did I say that I would try and control my child? Again trying to create arguments and put words into my words I did not say.

Just let me be please? I don't want to talk about PR or anything else relating to the father anymore. Please drop it now. I want to focus on my pregnancy and speak to other single mothers and discuss their experiences. Right now that is all I want to concern myself with. So I'm asking you nicely please leave it.

OP posts:
Itsfab · 02/07/2014 11:47

You are being very rude and naïve.

I suggest if don't like the way this thread has gone, or the reality of life as a single mum, you start a new thread and hide this one.

Offending people is not going to get you anywhere and trying to control a public thread is going to be futile as well.

Cherryblossom200 · 02/07/2014 11:49

It'sfab, the thread was started by me. I have every right to stay on it!

OP posts:
grocklebox · 02/07/2014 11:53

and everyone else can say what they like, so quit ordering people what to post.

Itsfab · 02/07/2014 11:57

I didn't say you couldn't Hmm.

I am merely saying if you don't like what people post the option to hide it is there.

Cherryblossom200 · 02/07/2014 11:58

Fine, you are load of bitter old women can stay on my thread and complain amongst yourself. It'sfab, good idea! I think I will start a new thread! Thank you for the great idea.

Have fun on here discussing your lovely lives :)

OP posts:
unrealhousewife · 02/07/2014 11:59

Cherry blossom the attitudes to PR are changing very much in the favour of fathers getting more access now. Talking to other single parents is great but they have been through their legal situation at a different time and will be giving you outdated information.

There was a big shakeup earlier in the year, and although forced shared parenting was decided against, has shifted the thinking by judges on this. The fathers groups keep lobbying away, and Europe and the US are already in favour. So you might be in a situation soon where your child might have two homes, equally important.

And that's why if I was 20 years younger and in your shoes I would be looking at the father very carefully before deciding on having his baby.

Even if yours does bog off to Australia, he could change his mind at any time. Think about it.

unrealhousewife · 02/07/2014 12:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Fideliney · 02/07/2014 12:06

Wow. The OP just gets more and more charming Confused

Lagoonablue · 02/07/2014 12:08

I am just wondering why having parents who are psychologists would mess you up?

Beeyump · 02/07/2014 12:09

Cherryblossom, you are now coming across quite horribly.

unrealhousewife · 02/07/2014 12:16

OP has already said she would get medical reports done on him before she lets him have contact, she's got it all covered...Wink

The children of people with MH problems are very rarely denied access to their parent, even when unwell. Usually only when they get to the point of being sectioned will anyone official intervene.

OP you will come across as deliberately obstructive if you try this.

Itsfab · 02/07/2014 12:35

It is time to grow up Cherry.

In the months to come you will need support, Be sure to not ask us "bitter old women." Hmm.

grocklebox · 02/07/2014 12:44

I'm a bitter young woman, but thanks for the stereotype.

You do come across as very naive and rather childish. For a nearly 40 year old woman, you haven't grown up much. It's all a bit teenage, going home to your mammy because you accidentally on purpose got knocked up by a irresponsible surfer boy......

wagonsroll · 02/07/2014 12:49

maybe, just maybe, the op thinks she is a bit "above" the perspective father to be.
"lawyer friends" social situation etc.
maybe, just maybe, the surfer is happier in his life,
isn't a fan of material possessions.

just a thought.
not everyone chase material items for pleasure.

Twinklestein · 02/07/2014 12:55

I have defended Mumsnet in the past, that it isn't as bitchy, passive-aggressive and downright weird as it is made out to be. On the evidence of this thread, I may be entirely wrong.

Fideliney · 02/07/2014 13:07

In the past? OP says herself she only joined a week ago and she has contributed a goodly measure of the rudeness and aggression on the thread Twink