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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:
ittooshallpass · 29/03/2019 07:35

I got pregnant unexpectedly in my 40s. I had never been able to conceive before.

I actually considered terminating the pregnancy because 'I wasn't in a stable relationship'.

I gave my head a massive wobble and went ahead. This was my only chance of a baby!

I tried to force the relationship with the dad (who was as equally shocked as me at the pregnancy) because I desperately wanted the family life I'd always had in my head. It didn't work. We split after 3 years.

Being a single parent is the best thing I've ever done. My DD is amazing.

What I'm trying to say is... don't terminate because you think you have to 'have the family life' and 'supportive partner'.

In hindsight I should have done it alone from the beginning; it would have been so much easier.

Your choice. But in your shoes I know what I'd do.

Fridasrage · 29/03/2019 07:36

He's co-opting the language of consent whilst trying to force you to abort a much wanted child. What a scumbag. If you genuinely want a termination and think it'd be the best thing for you then you should do it, but i really don't think that's the case here.

You said on one of your posts that your reasons for possibly terminating would be

the risk of the child realising that their dad didn't want them, not being a good enough parent on my own and not coping, me getting ill or dying and leaving them alone in the world, and not being able to give them siblings. All those things make me feel awful.

I just want to say, while it can be hard for kids that a parent doesn't want to be involved, that pain isn't so large that it could cancel out your love. And every time a couple gets in a car they run the risk of orphaning their child(ren). It's a very long shot risk. And while we all know an only child who's a bit extra from time to time, there's lots of them and they're generally good and happy people.

You sound like a lovely person, and i'm sure you'll be a wonderful mother. Kids need love, they need to feel safe and they need feeding, and you can do those things. All the joy and the laughter and the love you'll experience will shoot those worries out of the water.

Flobochin · 29/03/2019 07:48

@theprocrastin8er

I've thought about this overnight, and my heart goes out to you with having such tough decisions to make.

I feel you would be happier if you left this controlling man, who seems not ready to be an adult and face up to his responsibilities.

Yes, having a child on your own may be tough, but the rewards would be even greater. A child won't miss what it doesn't have, that is a father, and the bond you and he/she will have will more than compensate.

How are you feeling this morning, having had chance to digest things?

Nagsnovalballs · 29/03/2019 07:55

I am vehemently pro choice and not a huge fan of children and can empathise with your dp’s freak out.... and even from that position I agree with every single other poster here and say absolutely do not terminate. It may be your only/last chance and a wanted child is more important than any relationship. There are millions of other men out there - this is a one in a million child who wouldn’t be replaced even if you got pregnant again.

Lollypop701 · 29/03/2019 07:56

You clearly want the baby. Have it! Your parents and family will love your child too, you’re not alone. Your child will be surrounded by loving family.If you terminate this much wanted pregnancy, will the relationship survive ? I think you will end up hating him for forcing you to do it. So you won’t have him, and you won’t have a child. Once the child is here, your partner may realise he’s an idiot, or not. You don’t need him, although I completely understand you want him. Go to the baby shop and start planning!!!

BaweB · 29/03/2019 08:04

Definitely, definitely keep the baby. You won't regret it but you will resent him if you don't keep it. xx

MrsBertBibby · 29/03/2019 08:19

I conceived around your age, and my then partner clearly wasn't happy (although we'd been trying for a year). I knew the night I brought our son home that we were done, but it took 18 months to get the combination of anger, energy and organisation to leave.

Being a single mum was SO much easier than trying to live with a sulky embittered selfish man who did nothing to help.

That baby is now 15. He's taller than me with size 10 feet and a voice that is descending to a rumble, but last night after reading a couple of chapters to him, (because we never stopped storytime) he had 20 minutes reading to himself cuddled up while I dozed.

I met a new partner when he was 5 and we got a house together when he was 10. It's great, but I'd have been fine without all that. There are tremendous bonuses to being a family of two, that make up for the tough bits.

Sitdownstandup · 29/03/2019 08:20

Personally I'd stop engaging with him, at least for a while. You don't have the energy to waste on someone who apparently doesn't understand how the birds and bees work.

eddielizzard · 29/03/2019 08:23

He can demand as much as he likes, it's not his choice.

It is very sad, but the relationship is broken now. The emotional blackmail he's subjecting you to is really not acceptable.

Are you living together right now? Might be good if he left for a bit to give you some space.

DaphneduM · 29/03/2019 08:26

Please follow your heart and have this baby. Relationships can break down at any time. There are many married women who suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves single parents - I was one of them. So it really doesn't matter about the circumstances you find yourself in - fortunately we live in a very open and enlightened society these days, and there are all sorts of families, all equally valid and loving. My story had a happy ending after a couple of years as a single parent I met a lovely man who I married and he brought my daughter up as his own, after my ex stopped seeing his child. Life is short, you have had an amazing piece of good fortune - also you own your own home so can give your child a good life. I think you need to accept that what your partner has done is a deal-breaker anyway, just asking you to do this is, in my opinion, unreasonable. Please, don't throw away your only chance of a child - it will all work out, I'm sure.

Topseyt · 29/03/2019 08:41

So HE thinks that HE needs to consent to YOU putting YOUR OWN BODY through a pregnancy!!!???

Arrogant, self-important arse, isn't he! You wouldn't expect to have to get his consent for you to have any other medical treatment and he doesn't get to dictate over pregnancy either. It is your body, so your right to decide, not his.

You want this baby, so have it. He can sod off.

ATailofTwoKitties · 29/03/2019 08:47

Good luck, OP. One caveat from me is that, as you know, many early pregnancies don’t continue. In your position i would be cautiously excited and waiting for an early scan rather than heading for the nearest mothercare.

Selmababies · 29/03/2019 09:01

Just to add to the other voices, I'd say have your baby if that 's what YOU want. Don't take on any guilt that he's trying to place on you -his behaviour has been appalling, and you don't deserve to have been put in this position.It was very unfair of him to continue to have sex with you without you being aware that he no longer wanted a baby if you got pregnant.
I was a single parent going through pregnancy alone too after he told me that I'd ruined his life. My daughter is 19 now and I've never regretted having her for one moment. She is a wonderful, well adjusted and happy young woman in her second year of University. We have a very close and special relationship.
Single parent hood certainly has it's challenges but it has enormous rewards too. It was the best decision of my life!
My advice to you once you make the final decision to go ahead with the pregnancy, is to stop discussing it with him further, cut contact with him until after the birth, and enjoy your pregnancy. Seek out other like minded single parents as this can be a great source of friendship and support.
Lastly, don't dwell on the feeling you don't have a 'family setup' being without a partner. You and your child will still be a family, albeit a smaller one than the conventional one.

MCC85 · 29/03/2019 09:15

He is trying to control you my Lovely, he has no right to do that.

Whether it is fair on him or not, at the end of the day it's your body, you would be the one going through either an abortion that you aren't 100% about, and the emotional baggage that would possibly bring, or a pregnancy and birth.

You were actively trying for a baby, you have attempted IVF which isn't an easy process, I take it he didn't use contraception even after mentioning he didn't want children?

The decision is yours and yours alone, he has strung you along for long enough, no matter what you decide about the baby, you need to get rid of him, he isn't the man you thought and he is attempting to manipulate you in order to hide his failings (potentially being an absent father). If he can be so cold and heartless about something as big as this, what else can he manipulate you about?

As other posters have said, you may never get the chance to have another baby, sounds harsh, but it is reality, do you really want to being thinking what if? forever?

Lots of love to you, and please don't be afraid of what your parents will say, maybe tell them everything, they may surprise you xx

MummEE2 · 29/03/2019 09:17

Your decision but I'd honestly have the baby. Your partner/ex might feel differently when the baby is here. But if he does not you'll still have an amazing little bundle of joy. Two of my friends were in similar situations.

One of them got pregnant aged 40 and her partner never wanted kids or marriage so left her when she was pregnant! However towards the end of pregnancy he came round to the idea, married her and 8 years on is a fantastic dad.

Another friend split up with baby's dad when still pregnant and raised her now 5 year old as a single mum. Her LO is absolutely adorable and the bond they have is amazing

AntiHop · 29/03/2019 09:19

heprocrastin8er

We have just had a conversation where he has reiterated that if I go ahead with the pregnancy I am doing it without his consent.

What a load of bollocks. He gave his consent when he had unprotected

AntiHop · 29/03/2019 09:20

Sorry my phone went a bit weird there! He gave his consent when he had unprotected sex with you.

theprocrastin8er · 29/03/2019 09:22

How are you feeling this morning, having had chance to digest things?

Thank you all for the posts overnight. I woke up this morning feeling a little overwhelmed by the tasks ahead: telling him I don't think I'll have a termination, sorting out the split / him moving out, telling my family and friends the bad/good news. I know it will have to be just one step at a time. I can see myself coming back to this thread again and again for encouragement.

ATaleofTwoKitties
Yes you're right, I'm very aware I could make all the plans and still go to the scan to find it's not viable for some reason. I have been on the online Miscarriage Risk Calculator. That makes it hard to tell people yet or to really be excited about the pregnancy and commit to a course of action when there is still uncertainty.

OP posts:
AntiHop · 29/03/2019 09:23

I'm sure many of us have a picture in our minds about what we want our lives to be like when we're in a position to have children. I'm sure for many of us, our lives are not actually like that when we have children. You just get on with it and make it work.

Prettyvase · 29/03/2019 09:24

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

You have had a miscarriage before so you know things don't always work out the way we want them to.

Be kind to yourself and whatever happens, look after yourself and make a beautiful life with people who add to your happiness and not try and take it away [Flowers

ciderhouserules · 29/03/2019 09:24

Op - it's not difficult, or complicated. You either have 1) a baby but no him,
or
2) No baby, and no him.

No brainer.

Please stop worrying and thinking about what it is doing to him. He isn't going to 'have his life ruined' - on the total contrary, he will walk away without a backward glance, going on with his life as if nothing has happened. No 'ruining' happening.

And as for 'Consent' - is he serious? He has no more power to force you to do something with or without his fricking consent than he does over anyone else's body. What a tool.

Enjoy your pregnancy! Oh and - you use 'single mother' seemingly as a put-down, an insult - you should be thinking of it as 'absent parent' (him). Tell your parents that. You will be the 'parent who stayed'.

thebeesknees123 · 29/03/2019 09:29

I definitely wouldn't terminate. Given your situation, he is v wrong for even thinking about this. I would consider the relationship over at this point so take him out of the equation and ask yourself what you want. Do you want this child? Yes. Then have it.

Him saying it's unfair on your future child is just emotional blackmail and what he really means is he's changed his mind and feels it's unfair on HIM. It wasn't ,of course, hypothetically speaking, when he was going along with all these rounds of ivf

bubblepop99 · 29/03/2019 09:33

If you terminate, you probably won't be allowed any more IVF treatment in the future

Ratonastick · 29/03/2019 09:42

Consent? He’s loopy. You are pregnant, right now. His moment of consent to that pregnancy was preconception.

Anyway, I agree with PPs, your relationship is probably dead if you have a termination that you don’t want to satisfy him. He’s told you your relationship is definitely dead if you go ahead with the pregnancy. So your choice is actually single motherhood or termination. Single motherhood is fucking great. DS Dad left when he was 6 months old as he “changed his mind” about being a father after actively planning and trying for a baby. Never paid a penny in maintenance and left me to it. The only downsides are that logistics can get a bit hairy sometimes, but I think that is a truism for all working mums and not confined to single parenthood. Toddler tantrums, teen moodiness, etc are pretty grim, but again are not confined to the lone parent experience. But the joy of seeing your child grow into a fine young person with their own personality, opinions,quirks, humour and style? That is unconfined, it truly is. I didn’t plan it this way, but I wouldn’t change my situation for the world, I really wouldn’t.

As for DS and his Dad, I have never badmouthed XP to him (and I had to bollock my family a couple of times to make sure they didn’t either). When XP re-emerged a year or so ago, DS met him, came to his own conclusions and doesn’t want a relationship with him. Ironically, XP doesn’t understand why and blames me. I think he expected that I would do a good job as parent then he could have a joyous reunion and takeover after the tricky childhood bit was finished. He forgot that DS has his own mind and can make his own decisions.

howmanyleftfeet · 29/03/2019 10:00

That makes it hard to tell people yet or to really be excited about the pregnancy and commit to a course of action when there is still uncertainty.

It's OK to tell the people who you'd go to for support if you did have a miscarriage. The not telling people thing mainly so women don't have to deal with having conversations they didn't need to have with everyone explaining there's been a miscarriage. But if that did happen, I hope you'd reach out to someone for support (your sister?) and if so, then there's no reason not to tell them that you're pregnant, if you want to and if you decide to go ahead.