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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

There has been a terrible misunderstanding with DH, but do I really deserve to be treated like this?

164 replies

NotBurpeesAgain · 20/06/2018 07:32

In September last year I unexpectedly fell pregnant. I dreaded telling DH (he had always been adamant that 3 DCs were more than enough), but he was positive about it, saying that it would "at last bring some joy in this family".
I lost the baby in January, at 18 weeks. At the time, DH said a few horrible things that I try to forget (such as "how long do you think it is going to take for you to move on to something else?")

A couple of weeks later I told DH that I wanted to try for another baby, because I did not want our family story to end with a tiny coffin.
When we started having sex again, he did not use condoms a single time, so I though we were letting nature take its course and he wanted another child too. I got pregnant in late March.
In May, DH called me at work. He was incensed because he had been through my Amazon buying history and discovered I had bought pregnancy tests in February. He told me he never wanted another child, that I had tricked him.
He has not spoken to me since.
He refused to come to the scans.
I am not allowed to tell anyone, even my family, about the pregnancy.

I have been thinking a lot and I have recently realised that I cannot remember the last time he said something nice to me, smiled at me, or kissed me or even touched me except when he wanted sex.

I admit I should have talked to him more about having a fourth child, but can he really absolve himself from all responsibility in this pregnancy when he had sex without any form of birth control for several months?

OP posts:
Slightlyjaded · 20/06/2018 11:54

mila was that to the OP? If so, shame on you.

Yes, it's AWFUL to be a child growing up in the shadow of an abusive relationship, but do you have any understanding of what it is to be so beaten down for so long that you can't think straight, can't make a simple decision because you are overwhelmed by fear and self-doubt? It is like you have literally lost your mind.

So this is not about how much you love your children. And I agree that it can sometimes be the final push a woman needs (seeing her children suffer), but sometimes for the reasons I mention above - even this isn't enough. OP came here thinking there was a misunderstanding in her marriage. Does that not give you some idea of how much gas-lighting has been happening and how deluded she currently is (though no fault of her own)??

AsleepAllDay · 20/06/2018 11:59

Please please please take up all and any offer of help & confide in whoever can help you & stay safe Thanks

HRoosevelt · 20/06/2018 12:07

www.counsellinginfrance.com/HELPLINES.htm

HRoosevelt · 20/06/2018 12:08

www.counsellinginfrance.com/WHE

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 20/06/2018 12:11

There has not been a terrible misunderstanding. You are married to a terrible man.

he has started refusing the food I cook him

STOP COOKING FOR HIM.

What a vile man. I think you need to get your own ducks in a row and take control of this situation.

I hope you have good news about your pregnancy, congratulations. Please start making plans to leave. You and your children will be much happier away from him.

juneau · 20/06/2018 12:19

Please make take the advice on this thread OP. There has been NO misunderstanding - your DH is an abusive, gaslighting arsehole. He blames you for getting pregnant when you told him you wanted to and neither of you used any contraception and when you're clearly very fertile, having been pregnant at least 4 times before. That alone would be bad enough, but the way he controls your every waking moment and that you haven't left the house alone in 10 years Shock Shock Shock

  1. Hide your DC's birth certificates and passports. It would take your DH time to get passports from his country and unless the DC's births are already registered in that country he'll probably need the birth certificates.
  2. Tell your family what is going on. Tell them about the pregnancy. Tell them about your abusive marriage. Tell them that you'll need support (if only emotional), because you need to leave.
  3. Go and see a solicitor and put in place the necessary legal structure to prevent your DH abducting your DC.
  4. Ask your solicitor if a French Women's Aid operates in your area. Get their number and contact them.
  5. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy Flowers, but please get the hell away from this horrible, abusive man.
HRoosevelt · 20/06/2018 12:22

OP if you are going alone to the medical appointments, can you confide in the medical team next visit? In the uk they would certainly have policies to support women in domestic abuse situations and it may feel good to talk to a real life person?

Cawfee · 20/06/2018 12:28

Keep posting on here OP.
Can he get passports from his home country without the kids birth certificates?

Miladamermalada · 20/06/2018 12:28

^this. Please seek help. xxx

StaplesCorner · 20/06/2018 12:28

I think Mila was quoting a previous poster but I can't see which one, she wasn't telling the OP to fuck off?

Miladamermalada · 20/06/2018 12:31

This reply has been deleted

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

HRoosevelt · 20/06/2018 12:33

Can you give your mum the documents for safekeeping when she comes to look after kids? If your dad is supportive, please think about confiding in him, however far away he is?

TuTru · 20/06/2018 12:35

He’s being an arsehole, for whatever reason. He’s still being an arsehole! Xx

TheMonkeyMummy · 20/06/2018 12:35

Oh no! I am close to Haute Savoir, if you near there?

KatharinaRosalie · 20/06/2018 12:38

If you have no friends, can you tell the head of the school or some other teachers? They might be able to help, recommend where to go.

TisNowt · 20/06/2018 12:47

How old are the other kids (roughly).

I’m sorry but I agree that it was a huge mistake to get pregnant with this man again and it would have been even if he had wanted another baby, however, I do understand that your recent miscarriage and the fact that you are in such an awful situation will have meant that It’s not surprising that you didn’t think things through. It’s sad for the baby to be born into this situation. He sounds like he has been a complete bastard for ages. How does he treat the kids? Is he controlling with them too?

You have said that you take your marriage vows very seriously. I presume that you are religious? Might it help talking with someone from your church? Most religions would not want a woman staying in a marriage if the husband was a nasty bastard.

Miladamermalada · 20/06/2018 12:49

OP I'm sorry if you thought my comment may be at you-it wasn't I was just mad that a poster had been so nasty. You sound amazing and having had a fourth pregnancy in an almost identical situation I managed to leave before the baby was born and two years on me and the children are fine and have no contact with my ExH. He was also from a culture where women are subjugated and controlled and I noticed that sexually he took out his hatred on me once I was pregnant. He hated me, when like you, he had never used protection.
I also couldn't do anything right. I also knew I needed to leave but didn't know how.
Please try to find a person to support you, a woman ideally in a caring role. I don't know if France have midwives but here they'd move heaven and earth to help you.
I was so traumatised by the abuse I couldn't envisage giving birth so had a C Section.
Who will have the children when you give birth? It may be beneficial to create a plan but PLEASE don't write anything down. If I were a neighbour I'd keep things at mine for you. Think of anyone you can help-even a local nursery or school. PM me if you like xx

Slightlyjaded · 20/06/2018 12:52

Ah, I apologise @Miladamermalada but same message to @theleftparing then...

Also, OP, if you really think that your H might be using a keylogger, can you go and register on MN elsewhere (maybe do a name change and PM a couple of us so we can find you. I know you say you can't really get out, but could you take the DC to the library or something? I don't know if that's really feasible, but just be careful.

LuMarie · 20/06/2018 12:56

OP I think the idea of saying something to someone you work with is a good idea.

You don't need to be their friend already, just someone you think is a good person and takes care of people.

Look at how everyone has reacted here, immediately everyone is offering help and all of us in France are saying where are you, can we help, here is where to go and who to call. People immediate and instinctively help in a situation like this and I am absolutely sure it will be the same at work.

If you can't face trying to talk about it, you can just show them this thread. I am sure the will jump up and get involved to support and help you.

Jebbs · 20/06/2018 13:18

@NotBurpeesAgain Also living in France, near Tours in case you happen to be local to me and want a friendly ear. Feel free to message even if not local. I'm not sure that you put where you are in the country.

IDrinkAndISewThings · 20/06/2018 13:33

I agree with the PP who said to confide in a work colleague, they don’t need to be an existing friend, just someone you feel is good and kind. It sounds as if your husband has done everything possible to isolate you from all social contact, making you entirely dependent upon him as your link to society? Making a friend for yourself is your first step to taking back your autonomy. Please seek sound advice from a solicitor and leave this poisonous man, you and your children deserve so much better x

Toofle · 20/06/2018 13:40

Once the pregnancy shows ,is he going to try and stop you going out in case someone notices? What's he likely to do when you give birth?

veggifriedbreakfast · 20/06/2018 13:52

Oh my days, he is so horrible to you, I'm. In shock reading it, please you have to leave

Janus · 20/06/2018 14:03

My word, I don’t often comment in relationship posts as I don’t feel I can adequately reply but I really feel you must get out before he runs off with the children. Some family in the Uk must be able to put you up? Any old friends that may also be able to help? Your priority is getting here and getting proper legal help so he can’t take your children and you never see them again, that’s terrifying. Good luck Flowers