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Relationships

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6 weeks pregnant and partner wants me to terminate, not sure what to do

499 replies

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 17:15

I would really appreciate advice on my complicated and stressful situation. Please bear with me on the back history because I think it is relevant for understanding why i'm in the situation I am now in.

I am 34 and a half and I have been with my partner for 9 years (first 5 were long-distance but lived together for 4). We have a happy, relaxed drama-free relationship in most respects. In the early years I would occasionally ask about children and he would say 'yes probably in the future, not now'. Four years ago after some blood tests for something else I was told I had low ovarian reserve for my age (30 at the time) and advised to do prviate IVF if I could afford it (I couldn't). I was in shock but after lots of discussion my partner agreed I could come off the pill to see if it happened naturally. Three years later, lots of sex and no pregnancies, I went back to the GP and they sent me to the hospital for tests etc, and was referred for NHS IVF.

At this point my partner freaked out and said he wasn't sure he wanted children yet. We then spent several months agonising over it. With a lot of persuasion (with hindsight, I can see this is where I went wrong) and him changing his mind several times he agreed to start IVF in November 2018, and by the end of the process he seemed quite 'in it' and wanting it to be successful, mainly to make me happy I think. However, it failed. This then brought up more difficult conversations about whether to have another go (we had 2 frozen embryos). He asked for time to think about, which I gave him, thinking that probably he would come round to it post-Brexit (he works in that area and has a lot of work stress). This brings us up to March 2019.

Then, three weeks ago - in the course of an argument about something else - he said he had decided he probably didn't want children. I was devastated and suggested we have some time apart to think about what to do. He agreed time apart would be good and said he wasn't sure how much it was the stress of the IVF but he wasn't feeling as happy in our relationship and felt I was angry with him a lot (I suppose I was a bit as I was so worried about missing my chance to be a mother), although this was the first time he'd mentioned it. We spent a few days talking and crying a lot and he started looking for a shared flat to move to.

Then... I discovered I was pregnant (conceived before his 'decision'). So after several years of believing it would only happen through IVF, we're suddenly pregnant naturally, which was a huge shock to us both. Neither of us believed that could happen.

He did not take it well at all. He wants me to terminate and feels that he had decided not to have children, so we can't proceed. He says if I proceed we will have to separate and there is no chance of us parenting together as a happy family. He thinks a child will ruin his life and that he won't love it as he ought to. He thinks it's completely wrong for a child to be brought into this messy situation.

So here I am, 6 weeks pregnant and scared. I never imagined myself as a single parent and don't have much family support nearby. I do however have a flat that I own and a part-time job so will get some maternity pay. I'm 35 this year and worried that if I terminate this pregnancy I might not get pregnant again, even if I were lucky enough to meet someone else who wanted children.

My initial reaction to the pregnancy was shock but also happiness. But now he has said this I am terrified of doing it alone, and am not sure I'll manage it. Also, I wonder whether he's right, and its unfair on the child to proceed. I don't want to be selfish. It worries me the child would have separated parents and no siblings. None of this is what I imagined.

He has agreed to talk to a counsellor but tells me not to hold out any hope of him changing his mind.

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thank you for reading such a long post.

OP posts:
Mrsmummy90 · 28/03/2019 17:20

If you will resent him for making you terminate then I would say, go ahead with the pregnancy but accept that you will be a single mum.

Given your medical history with this, I agree that this may be your only chance.

What's more important to you, having children or the relationship with him?

helpmum2003 · 28/03/2019 17:21

How stressful. You do have time so don't rush the decision.
Personally if I was your age and the baby was conceived in a long term relationship and is wanted by you I would continue. As you correctly say you don't know if you could ever conceive again.
You really want this baby and I'm sure you would manage alone - not ideal but I think you'd regret a termination more. The relationship is possibly over whatever you decide. If the baby has at least one loving parent it will be fine. Remember he will need to pay maintenance.

Thesearmsofmine · 28/03/2019 17:22

You clearly want this baby and although it seems scary you will cope just fine. If you terminate your relationship will be over anyway.

Flobochin · 28/03/2019 17:23

He sounds immature and incredibly selfish.

Have your beautiful baby and bring him/her up as a one parent family, lots do very successfully.

Order654 · 28/03/2019 17:25

In your circumstances I would never terminate.

This could be your only chance. If you have an abortion and can never conceive again you may regret it for the rest of your life.

Bookworm4 · 28/03/2019 17:25

What an arsehole of a man; going through IVF then saying terminate, I'd terminate him! You have your own home and a job; you're in a better position than many women, let him go and keep your baby.

LFH1990 · 28/03/2019 17:25

If his decision to never have children would be a deal breaker for you anyway, then I would leave and have the child on your own. Given your difficulties in conceiving and your desire to have a child, I think you would regret throwing away this pregnancy. That’s not to say that you wouldn’t meet someone new and conceive again, but a bird in the hand and all that...
You can totally raise a child alone, I’m sure it is extremely difficult, but plenty of people manage it, and if it’s what you really want then you will find a way.
It’s sad that you lost 9 years with a man who said you were on the same page and then changed his mind. It seems unfair to me, but I don’t see any reason you can’t do this on your own if having children is what matters most to you.
Good luck with whatever you decide Flowers

Mumsymumphy · 28/03/2019 17:26

It sounds as if the relationship was going to come to its natural end anyway.

In your circumstances and with your history I think you would bitterly regret a termination. Yes, being a single parent is hard, but babies bring so much joy. You'd never regret having the baby!

imip · 28/03/2019 17:28

The fact that you both actually went through the IVF process indicates that at least you certainly want children. Personally, I would have the baby. If this baby was your last chance at being a Mum, you may really regret it.

Topseyt · 28/03/2019 17:31

It is your choice. Really.

I think it sounds as though you want the baby and are worried that this might be your only chance. If so then wouldn't you regret not taking it?

If you terminate and it doesn't happen again will you resent him forever? I think I would.

Unfortunately though, it is one of those situations where a compromise that suits everyone is impossible.

Have the baby if you want to. He doesn't get to dictate.

Nowordsleft · 28/03/2019 17:31

Since your Ivf didn’t work then I would consider how you could keep this baby.

MissBPotter · 28/03/2019 17:31

I would definitely go ahead in your shoes. Your partner sounds like an utter dick, gong through I feel then saying he doesn’t want children! Fobbing you off for years and years by the sounds of things and now trying to emotionally blackmail you in to in to terminating a much wanted baby. What a catch!

picklemepopcorn · 28/03/2019 17:31

You will manage.

I wouldn't consider having him back in my life- and he may well try.

You were ready for a baby, now you have one. Don't waste this opportunity.

loveyoutothemoon · 28/03/2019 17:32

Go ahead with the pregnancy. You sound like you want this baby so much, you'll be fine on your own.

MissBPotter · 28/03/2019 17:32

I feel = ivf!

chilledteacher · 28/03/2019 17:32

Your post reads like you desperately want this baby OP and given your medical history it may be your only chance. Let him go and raise your baby on your own if need be.

heidivodca · 28/03/2019 17:48

Your body your choice - good luck

FizzyGreenWater · 28/03/2019 17:49

I'm 35 this year and worried that if I terminate this pregnancy I might not get pregnant again, even if I were lucky enough to meet someone else who wanted children.

That is a distinct possibility.

In your shoes, knowing that you have wanted children enough to start IVF, never in a million years would I terminate. I also say that from the viewpoint of having children of my own. If I had to make a decision now in hindsight, what would I choose - never have children and continue in happy relationship OR have children but perhaps be single - I would have my children.

Do not lose your chance.

Oh, and from what you have said of him? He will get to 43 and leave you anyway for a younger model when he's 'ready' to have his family. All the self-centred ditherers seem to do that.

Secondly - if you stood your ground, I'd also bet there's a good chance he'd stay anyway. Sounds like he'd prefer not to have kids right now, but will go along with it if he can't get his way, rather than lose his comfy nest. I could be wrong. But he definitely sounds pretty flaky full stop.

Howlingatthesun · 28/03/2019 17:51

OP - he has the option to leave then
Change his mind and have kids with someone else

Do you have this option?
Didnt think so

And there is the fact he is a prize twat.

Postmissposte · 28/03/2019 17:53

Lose the guy.

Keep your baby.

juneau · 28/03/2019 17:54

Given your history OP I suspect this could well be your only chance to be a DM and as you've gone through so much to get to this point, so much disappointment, so many invasive procedures and heartbreak, I would think very hard before you agree to do what your DP wants. He's leaving anyway, isn't he? So either you're single and not a DM (possibly ever), or you are a single DM. I really, honestly think that you will regret this in future if you terminate. Please ask for support on the lone parents' board and also contact Gingerbread www.gingerbread.org.uk/, which is a charity for single parents. You can do this if you choose do. Don't let him force you to make a decision you clearly don't want to make.

onalongsabbatical · 28/03/2019 17:55

Your choice OP. Flowers

Thewheelsarefallingoff · 28/03/2019 17:55

Keep the baby, you obviously want to. Flowers

Perch · 28/03/2019 17:57

What an asshole. Your relationship is over anyone. Ditch the man keep the baby. You are in a great position owning your own home. good luck x

ginswinger · 28/03/2019 17:57

Absolutely go ahead and don't give it another thought. I had my beautiful DD at 36 without her father in the picture and she is a joy and pleasure. I had to adapt my life to work around her but we are a great little team and I have nere regretted having her.