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Relationships

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

How to get over the fact that I will never have children

325 replies

Whereismyb12 · 10/08/2014 16:44

Hi all. Hope to get some benefits from your collective wisdom.

I've been with my DP for nearly 5 years. He is my soul mate. He is the nicest, kindest human being I've known. He is my friend. I really like and respect him. He is the love of my life.

When we met we were both clear that we didn't want to do the 'traditional' stuff: get married, have children, get a dog, buy a house, settle down. We found it boring. We wanted to be together and have fun - live in different countries, follow our hobbies, feel young.

5 years down the line we are married (ok, it came as a surprise to both of us and we did it in a non-traditional way, but still) and in the process of buying a flat! We did it because we wanted it and that's ok. But there is another point on the 'never to do' list which we can't agree on: children.

A desire to have a child literally kicked me in the face (or rather in the uterus) overnight, around 2 years ago. I had always been disgusted/annoyed by kids and suddenly I wanted one! I couldn't get my head around it but the feeling was very strong. I spoke about it to DP: he was quite surprised but honestly responded that he didn't share my feelings and didn't know if he would feel differently one day. We had a similar conversation a few times afterwards and the outcome was always the same: he does not have a paternal instinct, doesn't mind the children of other people (in fact he's very good and caring with his nieces/nephews) but doesn't want his own child. I talked, I reasoned, I tried to persuade him. He seems honest that there is no other reason although I think in his eyes a child may be another step towards this terrifying idea of 'settling down'. Anyway his answer is no. Every conversation ended in me crying so I stopped talking about it but didn't stop longing for it.

Recently I observed some serious pregnancy symptoms. I was convinced that I was either pregnant or seriously ill as the symptoms were so out of the ordinary. I was ecstatic thinking that this could be my dream come true! When I talked to DP about my suspicions he reassured me that we would manage the situation if we were to have a child. He was very calm and supportive. Well, after a few weeks it turned out I wasn't pregnant. Stupid me, getting my hopes up so high.

It was like my own personal disaster. Like if something inside me broke and released the unstoppable desire for a baby that I tried to muffle for the last 2 years. It is constantly screaming inside my head. I can's look at children on the internet or in the street without thinking that I will never experience this. When I'm swimming I can't help thinking it's such a shame I will never teach my child to swim. When I'm running I'm imagining how I run with my daughter. When I see a bee I want to show it to my son and explain the world to him. I just think I have so much to share, WE have so much to share, me and DP, and that parenting would be a fantastic adventure for both of us. He would be an amazing parent as he's very patient and understanding, and young at heart. But we doesn't want to be a parent and I can't make him want it.

I fully respect his right to say no. I feel like this situation is my fault as I am the one who changed rules of the game and he doesn't have to accept them. But I feel so unhappy. I try to behave like before but often I will burst in tears out of nowhere or get snappy with him because sometimes something deep inside me feels that it's his fault I'm unhappy. But then I remind myself that he's not doing it deliberately. Which doesn't really change my situation.

Long introduction but my question is shorter: how can I get rid of my desire to have a baby? I need to do it to find peace. Will it fade with time? Is there anything I can do to persuade myself that this stupid longing for children will not happen so there is no point of focusing on it? Please don't tell me to LTB as this is not an option.

OP posts:
hellymelly · 10/08/2014 22:41

I was in just your situation op. It is the reason I had my dds in my forties rather than my 30s. Although in my case my DH is younger so we were actually ready for babies at a similar age to each other. He pretty much said what your DH is saying, for years, and I did think very hard about leaving him, as I know it would have destroyed our relationship anyway. In my case, as his friends started having babies, he realised that he would like to be a father, and he is a great Dad. I still feel angry that I am an old Mum though! My friend in the same situation took another route, she told her DH she was using the cap, but didn't ever put it in....Again, he is a great dad, and was very happy when she got pregnant. To me your DH sounds as though he would be a good father, but I don't know what would be the nudge he needs to make that leap. Men don't have the huge biological push of time that women do, but all of the men I know who became fathers by accident are as doting as the planners, most men fall in love with their babies just as women do . After years of quarrelling I told my DH that I wasn't going to mention it for 6 months, but that I wanted him to think about the whole situation, and to realise that if he decided he never wanted a child then I would have to leave. I am not sure I lasted 6 months! But he did give it enough thought to realise that he did want a child , and to understand why he had been ambivalent. The irony was that part of the reason had been that we were arguing so much, but we were only quarrelling about having babies so it had become a catch 22.
You have three options, stay and hope he reaches a point of wanting to be a father, which he may do. Leave and find someone who wants a child , or get pregnant accidentally on purpose.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 10/08/2014 22:41

You still have a bit of time at 29. But if a 38 year old says he doesn't want children, you either believe him or believe he's being a total man child who will eventually mature and change his mind. Neither of these are guaranteed to get you a baby! Add the fact he wants to keep his options open without actually saying 'let's ttc' - I don't actually know if he's being honest or jerking your chain tbh.

Babieseverywhere · 10/08/2014 22:44

My DH and I were together for 10yo without benefit of marriage or any thoughts of children.

It hit me out of the blue, that I needed a family. I went home and explained how important and necessary this was to DH, who was very confused about my complete change of mind. I was very definately a career woman who did not want children, up to that point.

He proposed a week later (bless him), we got married 6 months later and our first child arrived 9 months and 1 day after the wedding !

I was so lucky that the love of my life decided to take a chance to build our lovely family with four very wanted children.

On the other side. My ex boss had a similar situation but in her case he wouldn't agree to children, so they never had any.

She was very bitter about her lack of children. She talked about it often, I wonder if she would of made the same choice a second time around.

Whereismyb12 · 10/08/2014 22:56

Thank you for taking time to reply to me. I will organise couples counselling for us not for me only.

I agree that my view on love is very romantic. Yes, this is my first serious & long term relationship. And to be honest I'm so surprised by the amount of 'you will end up resenting him and this will destroy your marriage' responses! I mean, I understand perfectly where you're coming from, whether it's your personal experience or thing you've seen/heard of but still. I guess I didn't expect so many of you to tell me that. I have a lot to think about, tonight and in the future.

OP posts:
Anarchy99 · 10/08/2014 23:08

Neither of you are wrong - but this is not an issue where there can be compromise. You have to decide whether you want to stay in this relationship and have no children, or you want to try to find someone else who is ready for children. Even then, there are no guarantees.

Flowers for you OP - but do what is ultimately right for you.

VanitasVanitatum · 10/08/2014 23:10

I was in this situation, even down to the age gap, and I left. I'm now with someone who is not only on the same page as me but who I actually have a better, healthier relationship with.

I second what everyone is saying about there being a biological imperative for you that just isn't there for him, he can make this choice at any time, you can not. You need a serious conversation with him, if he would rather lose you than have a child then frankly, I don't think he can love you in the same way you love him.

Maryz · 10/08/2014 23:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bestfriendActually · 10/08/2014 23:29

Whereismyb12

Don't chose the man over the chance of having children! I did exactly that! Started seeing him when I was 21, he had 2 children already so really didn't want anymore. By the time I was 25 I was desperate for a baby, I spent months agonising over the decision & I chose the man!

Role on 10 years, happy years mostly, he had a sudden & fatal heart attack in the middle of the night, he was 39! 5 days later I found out he'd been having an affair & guess what? yeah she had a (his) 6 month old baby!

It nearly killed me! I don't know how I got through those days, I hated him!
By the time I sorted myself out & then met someone else, it was too late for me, heading in to an (earlyish) menopause etc.

My biggest regret is that I didn't dump him when I was 25! Meet someone else, I'd have had the children I wanted!

Do not choose this man over your chance to have children! He won't be worth it!

Oly4 · 10/08/2014 23:32

I agree with the people saying that if you want children you won't get over it, that urge will only get stronger and stronger, particularly in your 30s. I think you need to impress on him how much this means to you and that, while you respect his right to make his own choices, you worry about the effect this could have on you and as a couple.
Ido think this will destroy your relationship anyway... The biological desire for children among women becomes so strong that I think you will become very unhappy over time and that will eat at your relationship.
Don't let him fob you off with 'might change myt mind one day' for the next decade, taking all your most fertile years away.
Relationships DO break up all the time. Think about how you would feel aged 40 if you broke up and he went on to have kids with somebody else.
I have two children and while they are hard work they are the absolute light of our lives. Children can give you so much pleasure and make your heart sing with more joy than you've ever felt.
Don't deny yourself that if you truly want it

Annarose2014 · 10/08/2014 23:33

OP, as someone who's been through this I have to add: when DH said that I'd end up resenting him, I actually disagreed.

I responded that no, I'd end up resenting myself. Cos I had failed myself.

You can't balme him if you don't go after what you want.

TheEnchantedForest · 10/08/2014 23:35

It was like my own personal disaster. Like if something inside me broke and released the unstoppable desire for a baby that I tried to muffle for the last 2 years. It is constantly screaming inside my head. I can's look at children on the internet or in the street without thinking that I will never experience this. When I'm swimming I can't help thinking it's such a shame I will never teach my child to swim. When I'm running I'm imagining how I run with my daughter. When I see a bee I want to show it to my son and explain the world to him. I just think I have so much to share, WE have so much to share, me and DP, and that parenting would be a fantastic adventure for both of us. He would be an amazing parent as he's very patient and understanding, and young at heart. But we doesn't want to be a parent and I can't make him want it.

This paragraph from your op describes the longing feeling that many if us have when we are TTC beautifully. It is a beautiful feeling when there is Hope and excitement attached. But those feelings with no hope that you will ever have a child would be devastating. Can you see how they might eat you up if you feel that way every day for the next ten years? It may well destroy your relationship anyway.

I really feel for you but the one massive thing you have on your side is that you are 29 and having these discussions/asking the right questions now. You do have options.

Oly4 · 10/08/2014 23:35

Ps I expect that when push comes to shove he would rather have a child than let you go... Especially given his response to your pregnancy false alarm

expatinscotland · 10/08/2014 23:38

I was 30 when I divorced my ex h who never wanted kids. He was 32. Glad I didn't listen to people who said, 'Oh, you're still young, wait a bit.'

I was 32 when I had my first. We wanted more than one and our third was born when I was 37.

My ex is now 46. He is still childfree by choice, had a vasectomy at 33.

Maryz · 10/08/2014 23:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jollyphonics · 10/08/2014 23:47

I was in this situation too. He was the love of my life, I'd never felt that way about anyone, love at first site, soul mates etc. we got engaged, bought a house, all was well. He'd told me early on that he'd never previously wanted children, but since meeting me he'd changed his mind and could see himself as a father. Then he changed his mind back again. Kids were now off the agenda.

I tried and tried to be happy with just him and our lovely life together. On the surface nothing had changed - we still laughed, shared jokes and observations, had great holidays, great sex - but for me there was a constant background sadness.

As I watched him enjoy his life, his hobbies and our relationship, I felt myself dying inside. I realised that eventually our shared happiness would only be his happiness, and I would be putting on an act, because I had sacrificed something I so desperately wanted - a child. I knew that in time I would become envious of his continued contentment in the face of my pain, and that envy would turn to resentment, which would turn to hatred. As unimaginable as it seemed at the time (because I truly loved him), I knew I would ultimately hate him.

So I left. And it was the best decision I ever made. I have no regrets.

Time is on your side OP, you are still quite young. But I think at the very least you need to be totally straight with him about the strength of your feelings. Maybe he will surprise you.

expatinscotland · 10/08/2014 23:50

He's 38? Oh, FFS. When someone tells you who they are, believe them!

expatinscotland · 10/08/2014 23:54

Even with all we have to deal with in our family: our eldest's death, our youngest's special needs, etc, I wouldn't have missed this for the WORLD!

Can't believe how lucky we are. So blessed and fortunate.

You only live once.

temporaryusername · 11/08/2014 00:02

You say you are going to try and accept not having children. Easily said, but you are 29. Deep down you will not accept it as you will know that there is still a chance. I suspect that as you get older and it becomes more real, you will leave if he doesn't change his mind.

ContentedSidewinder · 11/08/2014 00:15

I'll just wade in with never take your fertility for granted. I was 26 when I was told I had aggressive endometriosis and 27 when, following surgery, they told me it would take IVF and a miracle to get pregnant.

I was incredibly lucky and blessed to be pregnant a few weeks later (consultants baffled, and us) and we now have 2 beautiful sons.

Dh and I always wanted children but never really considered how hard it may well be to have a baby.

So if you give yourself a time to get used to not having children, make sure it isn't a long one. Because if you decide to leave you need to give yourself time to be able to have a baby with someone else.

expat I am so sorry for your loss, I remember reading about it at the time you posted. Thanks

Gumblossom · 11/08/2014 00:54

I think expat, the Op was asking how to get over her desire. She wasn't actually asking how to change her DH's mind. I think she knows his position, but is struggling with her desire.

Op, I know that desire, though cannot say I know it the same way as you do, because when I felt like that I had already had children. However, I wanted one more and the intense desire did not leave me. I had a dh who was adamant that he'd had enough. Logically I knew it was unfair of me to ask for more, when he'd made his position clear, and I had consented to him having a vasectomy. Like you I had a pregnancy scare ( I was 38 at the time) and realised that my longing for a child wasn't doing anywhere, it was, in fact getting worse.

I talked to my DH for three years about this desire. At the end of those three years I told him that I couldn't live with authenticity when I had to quash such a strong desire. I told him I felt I had to leave the marriage, not because he wouldn't give me what I wanted, but because I was deeply unhappy when we weren't on the same page. He went ahead, had a vasectomy reversal, and we had our son. No regrets. Our family has never been happier.

I can't speak for everyone, but I do know that the desire just doesn't go away. You need to make it very clear to him that you are feeling unhappy.

I hope you can find a resolution, as I know how painful it is.

Maryz · 11/08/2014 01:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chiana · 11/08/2014 01:39

If you've wanted children for two years and he hasn't wanted them for two years, sounds like neither of you is going to change your mind. I'd seriously consider leaving him if I were you. Not because he's a bad person, but because you want fundamentally different things out of life. It's very sad, but sometimes that happens. Better to split up now while you're still young and have time on your side, than to split up years from now when your chances of conceiving are lower and chances are the split will be even messier.

BeCool · 11/08/2014 03:10

I agree re talking frankly.
and also leaving birth control up to him.

freyaW2014 · 11/08/2014 03:44

You won't get over this. The desire to have a baby will always remain.
I don't think it's as simple as leaving the man you love though but there are things you can do and you do have a choice. It's your body and your future, you can have sperm donation for example and let him know from the start what your intentions are. You don't have to trap him into having a child but there's no reason why you can't be a mother.

CheerfulYank · 11/08/2014 04:12

Honey...it isn't going to work. You're not going to get over it. I'm sorry.

I have 2 DCs now and am desperate for a third in the future. If DH said no, I could bear it, but only because I have my two already. If he'd said no to any, that would be it. And I love him as much as anyone ever loved any man, I can tell you that! But the longing for a child is beyond explanation.

And to repeat what others have said, he does not have a time limit. You do. He is being extremely selfish to behave as though hr might want children someday and leaving you to hope.

Also as others have said (Maryz first, I think) we all (or many of us) know that woman. The one who was with a man for a decade or so, not married, no kids. Because that was just oh-so-mundane and old fashioned and boring. And she might have had inklings that she wanted to marry, or have DC, but she didn't push. Didn't make ultimatums. Because that's not "cool". Then bam, they break up, she's in her late 30s or early 40s. And six months later he's marrying a 26 year old in Fiji and she's two months pregnant.

Seriously, it happens. There is nothing wrong with not wanting kids and nothing wrong with not wanting to be married. But if you do, get out.