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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

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:
Oliversmumsarmy · 29/03/2019 10:04

I think you have to play the different scenarios out in your mind.

This relationship can never recover. Even if you had a termination.

In 5 years time if you are still together any guilt or feelings for him will have turned to hatred because you know he persuaded you to terminate your only chance of motherhood. Or he will dump you straight after the abortion.
He is probably planning on leaving anyway and doesn’t want any strings holding him back.

OTOH if you continue with the pregnancy you will not be on your own as you will have a beautiful baby and your own autonomy.
I cannot describe the love for your child as for me it is over anything and everything I have ever felt before.

If you want motherhood then go for it and don’t let anyone doubt yourself or stand in your way.

The quicker you tell him decisively that you are keeping the baby the quicker you will no longer have to deal with him guilt tripping you.

He needs to grow up and learn a bit about sex education.

He gave you consent for a child when he had sex with you.

You can’t take that consent back after the event.

Tell him your decision, block him and relax.
Once you have made your decision to go for what you want everything will fall into place and you will feel you can plan ahead.

You are in a great position

and make sure you are taking your folic acid.

Duckyneedsaclean · 29/03/2019 10:06

Please don't let him bully and scare you into terminating a much wanted child.

ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule · 29/03/2019 10:07

I agree with PP who are saying you need to tell someone IRL. I really think that part of the weight of this is because you're the only one carrying it all in your head, apart from him, and he's using the information to manipulate and coerce you into doing what he wants. Telling someone (like your sister maybe?) might help because then you've got someone in your corner. You don't have to hold all this on your own. MNers have got you, but someone real to hug you and congratulate you and agree with you about the real positives of this might really really help your head right now.

Ps: google is not your friend. Step away from the stats and the negatives, take each day as it comes. You don't gain anything good from imagining the worst.

redwoodmazza · 29/03/2019 10:10

This might be your only chance of Motherhood. Go for it!!!

howmanyleftfeet · 29/03/2019 10:13

About your parents and conservative attitudes.

When my friend and her DP announced her pregnancy, neither set of parents were happy about it. They're both religious (different religions). They were unhappy they weren't married, nor ever intending to be. They were unhappy the baby wasn't going to be brought up in their religion. They made it clear they thought the whole thing was a terrible idea. My friend was very hurt.

But then - the baby came. Babies do have a way of changing things! Both sets of grandparents absolutely dote on her, and no one ever mentions the time they said it was a bad idea!

BelleEButton · 29/03/2019 10:35

Hi OP - I agree with everyone else, have the baby, ditch him. Just on the consent point, once the embryo is in a woman’s body, it’s a WOMAN’S right to choose. As @Pater says so eloquently there are some situations where this is difficult like contraception failure. This isn’t one of them. He 100% gave his consent at the relevant moment. Ignore this manipulative argument. Good luck, you’ll be great Flowers

SVRT19674 · 29/03/2019 10:50

If I had to chose between a man and my daughter, it would be my daughter all the way. No man alive on Earth is worth that and any that would mention the word termination to me would be instantly ditched. Go for it. Keep your child and kick this selfish idiot to the kerb.

timeisnotaline · 29/03/2019 11:13

Do you think he’s thinking of how you feel while you are trying to consider him? I can tell you...
You need to keep the baby. I suggest you say to him I’m so miserable I’m going to call your mum and say x wants me to abort. See him try and explain why it should be a secret.
Thank goodness there will be a baby so everyone can see that he is scum. And if it’s possible where you are, claim for maintenance. It’s the price he pays for having been happy to string you along because it suited him knowing that you were running out of chances to have the baby you wanted. It’s the price he pays for costing you the chance to have met someone over the past 9 years and have had that baby with them. I really wish there was an actual arsehole tax but claiming everything you can from deadbeat dads is the closest it gets.

theprocrastin8er · 29/03/2019 11:44

BellEButton
As Pater says so eloquently there are some situations where this is difficult like contraception failure. This isn’t one of them.

I think he sees this situation as very similar to contraception failure, kind of like 'infertility failure' because he keeps saying 'we were told you couldn't get pregnant naturally' (almost true- we were told the chances of getting pregnant naturally were very low after such a long time) and because we had been discussing splitting up just a few days before the pregnancy test. He sees this as a totally exceptional situation that falls into the category of 'couldn't be predicted'. I suppose I am partially responsible for that because I was feeling so pessimistic about my fertility lately that I added to his general sense it was unlikely to happen.

OP posts:
theprocrastin8er · 29/03/2019 11:51

howmanyleftfeet
But then - the baby came. Babies do have a way of changing things! Both sets of grandparents absolutely dote on her, and no one ever mentions the time they said it was a bad idea!

I think you're right and my parents are unlikely to hold it against the child one it's here. I think I'm worried about the combination of both giving them this news which they will be upset about, at least initially, and potentially having to ask for their help in future with one or two things. I've been completely independent of them since I was 19, I suppose partly as a way of avoiding judgement and disagreements.

OP posts:
theprocrastin8er · 29/03/2019 11:59

A lot of posters have suggested playing out the various scenarios in my head. When I do that I know that termination and staying together would not be an option. One hypothetical scenario that I've imagined and is very powerful is going to the 12-14 week scan and being told the pregnancy isn't viable. I know that although it would make life much simpler in some ways, I would definitely be very sad and upset. I know I would be hoping for a perfect, healthy scan.

OP posts:
Mintychoc1 · 29/03/2019 12:03

My ex and I went through IVF (donor sperm as he was sterile). Eventually it worked, then when I was a few months pregnant ex decided he didn’t want kids. I cried for days.

We stayed together for the rest of the pregnancy purely for practical reasons, then when my son was a couple of weeks old I moved out. I remember walking round the new house, carrying my tiny baby, and just crying and crying at the loss of my soulmate and my lovely relationship. Then I clearly remember I just looked down at my baby, he looked up at me, and in that moment I knew we’d be fine. It was just us two now, and we’d be happy.

I embraced the whole new mum scene - baby massage, baby music, baby groups - everything - and I made lots of friends. Most weren’t single parents, but their husbands were at work all day, so it was just the mums and babies. There’s a whole world out there full of people who can be your friends.

I stayed single for a while, then had another baby by donor sperm. My boys are now 9 and 13, and I have a lovely partner who I met 3 years ago.

What I’m saying is there are so many more options out there than the status quo. And as scary as it is, it is totally worth it. My ex married someone who didn’t want kids either. We’re still in touch occasionally - he is happy, and I’m pleased for him. But his life is not what I would have wanted, and I would have been utterly miserable if I’d chosen him over parenthood.

If you want a child, then don’t throw away this chance.

Pinkmonkeybird · 29/03/2019 12:04

Your body, your choice. He agreed to try IVF with you, so I don't understand why he is now freaking out. What an arse. You have a lot going for you and many single mothers can end up in worse situations (I have!). I'm pro-choice regarding abortions, but I would say in this instance, you've tried for so long for a baby...it was your goal and he seemed to be along for the ride at some point. I agree with the others, keep the baby and dump him.

Mintychoc1 · 29/03/2019 12:08

I did grieve for the loss of the “perfect family” I’d always dreamed of. But real life isn’t like that, and anyway plenty of my “perfect family” friends are now divorced.

Heatherjayne1972 · 29/03/2019 12:10

You’re the pregnant one so it’s totally your Decision whether or not to terminate

However I say ditch him
Keep the baby

JMead92 · 29/03/2019 12:19

Go for it and have the baby!! Ditch that guy. There's plenty more fish in the sea, and you sound like you deserve a lot better.
It will of course be scary and daunting, but it will be the best decision you have ever made!
Being a single parent isn't as bad as you think it's going to be.. and if this makes you feel any better, My friend was in a similar situation, decided to keep the baby, the father left, then she found the love of her life at 3 months pregnant. Four years later.. they have a baby together and are married!!!
EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON
go for it girl!!!! you deserve it.

Myotherhusbandisgaryoldman · 29/03/2019 12:29

Keep your baby, OP
I was married when I had my DD, but without writing an essay, I was very much a single parent.
She's 11 now and the centre of my life.
Keep your baby!
You will surprise yourself by how strong and capable you are.?

Justonemorepancake · 29/03/2019 12:35

I think if you know you would be sad and upset at the scan, if you were told the pregnancy is not viable, then choosing to terminate a likely viable pregnancy a handful of weeks earlier is not an option for you.

BumbleBeee69 · 29/03/2019 12:42

Don't let this man manipulate you and your body, with his own agenda. Please, think about YOU and your struggle with fertility this far OP. Have your Baby.

Congratulations Flowers

zazasabore · 29/03/2019 12:52

Please dont terminate the baby. Terminate the relationship - dont say 'I think Im going to keep the baby' - say to him 'Im going to keep the baby' .

MadameAnchou · 29/03/2019 12:53

This is a no brainer. Your partner is a classic string along dick. The kind that would have left you in your mid-40s for some younger gal, got married and become Mr Family Man in months whilst you were left with nothing. His string along policy failed so now he's trying to bully you into a procedure you do not want.

NFW!!

'I'm not having an abortion. This isn't up for discussion.' And I'd leave him. timeisnotaline's post is spot on.

This is your last shot at motherhood. NO man is worth that. None.

Noimaginationxyzz · 29/03/2019 12:56

MadameAnchou spot on. We've aaaaallllll known the not-the-marrying-kind / family types. Oh until they're married with twins on the way within 6 months of binning the long suffering g/f

MrsStock · 29/03/2019 13:01

Can you see the relationship carrying on if you terminated the pregnancy? Over time, I would imagine that you would come to resent your partner for taking this opportunity away from you.

I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and I can tell you that pregnancy is an incredible but scary time and having a support network helps enormously. However, many women do it alone and there's lots of support available for single parents.

Wishing you lots of luck xx

rebecca102 · 29/03/2019 13:11

In my opinion I think you will regret it if you terminate.

MadameAnchou · 29/03/2019 13:13

Oh, yes, Noimagination, I'm 48 now and know tons of these men. I was with one, but when I got to be 30 I saw sense and split with him. He kept going back and forth and was in his mid-30s and I just knew if I stayed with him I might never get a chance to be a mum, and I knew, that if I struck out on my own and it didn't happen I could live with that, but I couldn't live with having never tried due to a wishy washy man. No matter how much I loved him, I loved me and what I wanted, too.

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