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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

Just found out I am pregnant and partner has left me

26 replies

SmartieC · 18/03/2018 15:34

I am new to this site, and am desperate for some support. I have made some terrible decisions and am really paying for them now.

I had been in a loveless marriage with my husband for 3 years. Our problems started when my bff of 15 years suddenly passed away. I struggled to cope, which impacted on our relationship. We stayed together for our children (14, 12 & 8) and because neither of us had anywhere else to go. Anyway in August 2017 I decided to end the mattiage, but live together as friends - which became increasingly difficult as both his family, and my parents resented me ending the marriage and refused to have anything to do with me. I met a guy shortly afterwards who I fell madly in love with, maybe because he was the only person in my life that was being nice to me. I accidently fell pregnant within weeks of getting together. After the initial shock, we both decided that we wanted the baby. Obviously my living situation was hard, so I made the decision to move in with him. He lived over an hour away. This was a horrible time as my children decided to remain with their Dad as they didn't want to leave their friends etc... I made the decision to move in December (partially down to my parents who were making my life hard). However, before I moved, I had a scan, where it was found that I had had a missed miscarriage. I had an operation on 01/11/17. It was such a horrible time, we both wanted that baby so much, even though it was unplanned. I still made the move to live with him, and we decided to try for another baby, which seems mad as prior to this, O was adamant I didn't want anymore babies. He is financially very secure, and said he would fully support us. He seemed so excited. He already had a son from a previous relationship, whom he has 50% care of. I was really looking forward to being a huge family, and tried so hard. However, his ex was absolutely evil towards me and him (they seperated before his son was born) she poisoned the child against me, he used to spit, hit and kick me. She would write notebooks detailing conversations me and my partner had and said that when her son was there, mu partner was not to spend time with me. She was demanding he have his son when it wasn't his turn, knowing we had plans, but manipulating him by telling him he had to put his son first. It really started to take its toll on him. We argued so much because of how unreasonable she was being, but between the arguements we were madly in love. He went through mediation to try and get something in place, however, she was extremely unreasonable so nothing got resolved, so it means going to court,which he said he isn't strong enough for. The mediator even referred him for support following an emotionally abusive relationship - his ex is a counselling psychologist, an unethical one at that as the mind games and manipulation she used is an shocking abuse of power. He has been seeing a therapist for 5 years, who told him he was in an abusive relationship, though it seems like it is only just dawning on him. He has been gradually becoming more and more depressed. The dpctor put him on AD bit they seem to have made him worse.

Anyway, I found out in was pregnant in February. He was really happy at first amd said it was a new start. We looked at new houses etc... and it was going great. We argued a lot over his son, and I must admit, I said some pretty mean things, though I have always been really kind and caring with his son, and he even admits how good I am with him. I guess I just get so wound up and take it out on my partner. Since my partner has been depressed I feel like he takes me for granted. I spend hours driving so I can see my children (which he promised he would help me with if I moved to him, and he doesn't) then when I get back, I have to look after his son as he lies in bed sleeping or crying. I am not having a great pregnancy, I feel so sick and tired. After a huge arguement about Mothers Day (I had arranged to do something with him and my children, when his ex demanded he have his son. My children hate being around him as he is so spoilt and violent) he decided he no longer loves me, nor wants to be with me. I have put up with so much in these last few months, he has been so difficult to live with, but I have never given up on him. He told me that he doesn't want the baby anymore, and he can't cope with life. He told me he needed space, so I went to stay with my ex husband and children, for a few days. Though now my partner won't allow me to come back home. He says he needs time and space, and if I ask him what he plans to do about the baby and support, he cries and says he can't talk about it. I am in such a mess atm and know that I am not being fair to my ex. I am sleeping on his sofa, and I have nowhere else to go. My parents don't want anything to do with me, my brother has told me to have an abortion, but I really don't think I can - not after the grief I felt following the miscarriage. I just don't get how he can treat me like this. This is his baby that he wanted. I feel so sick and scared for the future. I am trying so hard to be positive and happy for my children, but my partner won't even answer my calls or message me. I had an early scan, and he wanted to see the pictures, he also says that when he gets his head around it, he thinks he wants access when it is born. During a crying spell, he did tell me that it was happening again (his ex finished with him when she found out she was pregnant) and it nearly broke him the last time and he can't do it again.

I just don't know what to do. Everywhere I look there are happily pregnant couples. I feel so alone, I don't have anyone to talk to. I can't even think about future scans and the birth.

OP posts:
Dancingmonkey87 · 18/03/2018 15:40

Sorry op but you pretty much put this man above your three dc and moved away from them and got pregnant to a stranger and then got pregnant again. How on earth do you think your poor existing dc feel? No wonder your brother and your parents feel the way they do. His son and your dc haven’t even had chance to form relationship together without a baby on the way, no wonder he’s reacting badly.

Minus1 · 18/03/2018 15:49

Sorry but what a mess. You chose to get pregnant with a man you barely know in an unstable situation without seeming to consider the children you and he already have.

I would completely rethink your plans and act as if you are going to on your own.

Dancingmonkey87 · 18/03/2018 15:57

Do you do pay cm for your existing dc?

Minestheoneinthegreen · 18/03/2018 15:58

Blimey.
Are you able to get a place on your own? You don't sound ready for a relationship although clearly that horse has kind of bolted. Stop waiting round for you partner - you aren't even divorced yet. If you want to continue the pregnancy then that is entirely your choice but do so with the assumption you will be doing so alone, don't bank on him changing any time soon.

JestFromTheWest · 18/03/2018 16:01

Oh no. There are thousands of single parents out thete so if you continue with pregnancy u would not be alone.

I assure you that not being part of a conventional traditional family unit can be very sad, isolating and painful while you adjust and accept that reality, but when u accept it, it doesnt continue to be sad. I hope that makes sense.

ElspethFlashman · 18/03/2018 16:01

Wait a sec, you met him in August and left your kids for him in December???

ElspethFlashman · 18/03/2018 16:02

No wait, you must not have met him until September.

Jesus wept.

Isetan · 18/03/2018 16:03

You made a lot of hasty and unwise decisions for a relative stranger and now you’re going to have to deal with the reality.

Did it ever occur to you how your behaviour has impacted your existing children or is all about you and your almost desperation to create a new family? Let’s be honest, this current pregnancy was a ‘deal sealer’, after you got a taste of what life might be like after the tragic end of your last pregnancy.

You’re focus should be on getting a roof over your head independently of this man and preparing to be a single mother. This man might step up or he might not but preparing for the worst is a better long term strategy than crossing your fingers and handwringing.

Society accepts deadbeat Dads who run off creating new families at will but is intolerant of Mums doing the same, double standards yes but considering the impact that your responsibility has most likely had on your children, I doubt your going to get any sympathy for this type of inequality.

The time to start making better decisions is now.

Iooselipssinkships · 18/03/2018 16:04

You left your children with your ex to set up a new family? That's your first mistake. This is more than likely why your parents and family aren't talking to you.

Sadly it's acceptable for men to do this but we judge women more harshly because of the maternal bond.
You were never gonna be a happy, large family as your DC don't like being around your stepson and I can't imagine they would like your new man who has taken their Mummy away.
I think he's done you a favour dumping you because you can concentrate on the kids you actually have. How does the ex feel about you being pregnant?
Would you have an abortion if this pregnancy wasn't to this new man?
He has chewed you up and spat you out. You gave up your kids for this man and he couldn't care less.

NK1cf53daaX127805d4fd5 · 18/03/2018 16:04

I think you need to have a good look at yourself. You left your 3 kids for a man that showed you kindness. That was insane and even more insane was trying for a baby when you've left your other 3. I'd go for a counsellor if I were you who can be more impartial than anyone on here. Forget about your ex and concentrate on what you are going to do about this baby and your other kids. Put them first, not your self

Dancingmonkey87 · 18/03/2018 16:06

I think your husband has been a saint even so much as offering you a place to stay. I hope you find a place close to your existing dc and work on providing a stable environment for them so they can have regular access and a relationship with their new sibling.

stitchglitched · 18/03/2018 16:11

I would forgot about this man, find a place near your kids so they can have regular contact with you and make decisions about the pregnancy based on the likelihood of being a single parent. Personally I would prioritise repairing things with my existing children and have an abortion but I appreciate that may not be an option for you. Either way your kids deserve better than they've been getting from you and your ex deserves to be able to get on with his life without you on his sofa.

DontDIY · 18/03/2018 16:13

Stop blaming his ex and his kid. It’s all irrelevant. Take responsibility, and while you’re at it, a long hard look at yourself and how you’ve treated your kids. You decided to move in with him because you fell pregnant. So why still leave your kids for him when you lost the first baby? That sad event was the opportunity for you to start putting things right.

It’s been six months. Forget this man that you don’t even know and concentrate on your children.

VetOnCall · 18/03/2018 16:17

You met this bloke, what, 7 months ago and within a matter of weeks you were 'madly in love', pregnant and you'd abandoned your 3 existing children to move in with him. Sorry OP but that is literally mind boggling.

I'm sorry you had a mc but now within a matter of months you're pregnant again and expecting your kids to play one big happy family with this stranger (Mother's Day etc.). Bloody hell, those poor kids; their heads must be spinning.

The fact is you didn't/don't really know this man. This depressive, can't cope, expecting you to do everything mess, well, that's him. It's only been a matter of months and in a normal relationship at 6-7 months in you'd still be dating and learning who the person really is so that you can see if it has long-term potential or get the hell out of dodge if they turn out to have massive issues, the ex from hell etc. etc.

I honestly think you need to completely put this episode behind you, forget this fling and rebuild your life prioritising the children you already have but obviously that involves a difficult decision and it doesn't sound like you're willing to do that.

BlondeB83 · 18/03/2018 16:18

I think you’ve acted very irresponsibly but what’s done is done now and you need to start planning for life as a single mum. Flowers

Bluntness100 · 18/03/2018 16:32

Gosh, I guess you already knew everyone would be a bit shocked about your rash behaviour. For me it's the fact you actually asked your children to move in with a strange man you had known only a few weeks.

Do you work? Can you get your own place? Financially cope? Can you get someplace Close to where your ex husband and kids live? You need to forget this other man, you didn't allow the relationship to develop, either of you, or get to know each other properly and it's clear it has no future and in addition to this, he is very mentally unwell and on medication for it.

Decide if you can survive as a single parent to a new born and if you really want to do this. Prioritise how you will deal with your existing three children who must be terribly confused and hurt by your rash behaviour. Accept you're not going to have the happy family you wished with this new man. That's gone.

When you consider it all, do you still wish to have thr baby? Because this baby is not going to bring this guy back to you. You need to stop clinging onto that. You also need to stop blaming the ex. He's a grown man who is responsible for his own decisions, even though he is very unwell

SandyY2K · 18/03/2018 17:37

Its quite a mess isn't it. If you aren't prepared for life as a single parent...then I agree with your brother.

It's going to be tough. You'll be the only one waking up at night...and carrying the load...added to that your family don't want to know you.

Have you thought about how this is affecting your 3 children?

I'm not saying you should stay in a marriage you aren't happy with, but you've made some really hasty decisions... which affect a number of people.

dirtybadger · 18/03/2018 18:08

Find somewhere to live near your DC ASAP. You have a lot of making up to do (Im sure youre aware of that). Then you need to have a think about what you want to do re pregnancy. If you continue with it, you will realistically always have your "partner" in your life (and his DC as they are half siblings and deserve the opportunity to have a relationship). I know what I would do, but it is very personal, and neither road is right or wrong.

5plusMeAndHim · 18/03/2018 19:11

He has chewed you up and spat you out. You gave up your kids for this man and he couldn't care less.

..or maybe he was putting his existing child (who hated OP) first, which is a shame the OP didn't

WashingMatilda · 18/03/2018 19:14
Shock

I agree with a PP that all the stuff about his son is completely irrelevant.

Hopefully the OP will be back and answer some of the posters concerns.

gillybeanz · 18/03/2018 19:20

You left your dc for a screw Shock
He left his first partner before his child was born, why should you be any different.
I sorry to be so brutal when you are pregnant, but you reap what you sew and your poor dc need their mum not someone who bolts the first chance they get.

Aquamarine1029 · 18/03/2018 19:37

My heart is shattered for your children. To know your mother abandoned you for some worthless man must be devastating. I don't see how you can ever undo the damage you've done.

Dancingmonkey87 · 18/03/2018 19:42

I don’t think op will be returning to this thread she seems to have posted and disappeared

BellyDancer124 · 18/03/2018 20:18

I couldn’t even finish reading the OP, it made me so angry.

applesandpears56 · 18/03/2018 20:22

You left your kids?!