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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:
BeenThereDone · 29/03/2019 13:14

His consent?!?? You do not need any consent but he can have yours to fuck off.... He's a wanker. It'd kick him out, block him and go on and have a beautiful baby with lots of love and cuddles. And years down the line when your little one says or does something to make you smile or proud, you can remember back to this day and wonder how you even semi considered listening to his shite.... Good luck and start to enjoy it. Relish it and be happy with your choice 💐

AndItStillSaidFourOfTwo · 29/03/2019 13:20

Sometimes on 'pregnant and he wants to terminate' threads I - while believing entirely in 'her body, her choice' - think (to myself) 'he's got a point'. This thread is not one of them. As I am guessing many others have said, terminating to please him, after all you have been through, will destroy this relationship anyway, and it is likely to psychologically destroy you. Take it from a veteran of 6 mcs. His reaction is his problem and it is unfair (to put it mildly) of him to want to make it yours.

MadameAnchou · 29/03/2019 13:21

And be prepared for the emotional blackmail he'll lay on - tears, you ruined my life, this is ruining my life, I feel suicidal, we can try again next year, you've taken this choice away from me. All another script, like his stringing along bollocks, to get you to do what he wants.

This is why the best course is to get away from him.

Happynow001 · 29/03/2019 13:24

I think the fact you wanted to have a baby so very strongly you'd go through IVF says it all really - why would you terminate this long desired pregnancy?

Also whether or not you have this baby doesn't sound like your relationship is likely to last long or be happy for either of you anyway so in your shoes I think I'd go ahead and plan on having your baby.

You have your own home and a job so you are already in a better position than some.

Maybe increase your hours for a while to increase your savings to give yourself a financial cushion during maternity leave and for childcare provision when you return to work. Find out what benefits you are entitled to to help you raise your baby alone - even without child maintenance (though you should claim that too. After all you did not get pregnant without his help!)

Are you sure that when he was saying yes probably in the future, not now'. and agreeing to IVF that he wasn't just humouring you as you were having difficulty conceiving anyway and he thought it would.

He is trying everything in order to get you to have an abortion- and I agree with another PP that he is probably trying to "tie up loose ends" before leaving the relationship anyway so you'd be terminating for nothing.

Getting the facts around how you'd manage will take some of the fear away in how you'd manage going forward. All the best for a happier future OP. 🌹

magoria · 29/03/2019 13:43

He gave his consent when he had unprotected sex. It doesn't matter how low the chance.

His decision and choice ends then.

Do not be guilted by emotional blackmail.

Happynow001 · 29/03/2019 13:46

Oops sorry. Should read "you were having difficulty conceiving anyway and he thought it would never happen?

ZaphodBeeblerox · 29/03/2019 13:46

Just wanted to give you a hug OP.

Yes, there is a chance things can go wrong with the pregnancy.. but you’re strong enough to deal with it if it happens.

But regardless of whether you keep the baby and/or the pregnancy is viable you and he seem to be through. If you stay with him at this point you are committing to a lifetime without children, while knowing fully well that’s based on his choice and he can easily just decide at 45 to leave you and have a child with someone else.

So if you’re leaving him anyway, then just do whatever feels right for you - which seems to be having this baby.

Also you’re so well rid of him he sounds like a total dickwad. It’s fine to have a freak out but to blackmail your partner emotionally into having a termination just so you can walk away with no strings attached is vile!

BelleEButton · 29/03/2019 13:55

OP, in response to your comment on ‘infertility failure’, he’s rewriting history - you were told your chances of conceiving naturally were low, which presumably was true as you’ve been trying for years, and he consented to unprotected sex on that basis. Conception was unexpected but not impossible or without his consent. It’s a moot point anyway as as I said before, once you are pregnant it’s YOUR right to choose. I wouldn’t put your energy into trying to unpick all this with him - the relevant facts are simple - you’re pregnant, you want the baby, he can be involved if he wants, he has to pay. End of! Flowers

rainbowstardrops · 29/03/2019 14:07

You clearly want a baby so badly and as you've already said, if you terminated then the relationship would be over anyway, so I'd seize this chance of motherhood with both hands.
I haven't been a single mum but I have had two children where the dad hasn't been 'around' as much as I'd liked but you will manage because people just do!
Your baby will be so loved by you.
Good luck Thanks

Raspberrytruffle · 29/03/2019 14:16

OP do not let this twat ruin your life, bollocks to him. Ignore his threats of suicide it's just an attempt to back you into a corner. If his family think hes scum its because it's TRUE it's his actions and hes only got his self to blame. Id accept that your marriage is potentially over just move forward and look forward to a new exiting life with your baby, oh and congratulations!

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 29/03/2019 14:31

So he’d accept a pregnancy following IVF but not one naturally conceived. He’s clutching at straws, isn’t he Grin

yikesanotherbooboo · 29/03/2019 14:37

After a very different scenario I had an unplanned pregnancy with my DH. He wanted me to terminate and it was the worst few weeks of my life at that time. I couldn't contemplate it and was dreadfully unhappy. After about 12 weeks he accepted it without enthusiasm. He has doted on our child but the whole episode has scarred our marriage. I am not sorry that I had my child, far from it and I am sure DH isn't either but that early selfishness and what felt like cruelty was really hard to get over. I really empathise.

ltk · 29/03/2019 14:42

First, congratulations. You were trying and trying for a baby, and now you are pregnant. Which is just beyond amazing.

I am sorry about your partner. Thing is, your relationship with him is over no matter what. If you continue the pregnancy, he leaves. If you terminate, your resentment and grief will kill the relationship, and he may well leave you despite your sacrifice. If you miscarry, you will resent the fact that he is too relieved to understand your heartbreak. Do you really want to be in a relationship with a man who would want you to give up a much-wanted child? After giving you every indication (IVF?? C'mon) that he did want one. And it's hard to live with a 'partner' who will shift the goalposts so radically that he is essentially playing a different game altogether.

You are agonizing over a choice, but there really isn't one to be made. You do not want to terminate, so therefore you will have the baby and be a single parent. Your relationship is over no matter what you do.

He was actively trying for a child with you. You didn't trick him, you didn't force this on him. And you no longer need to worry yourself with his misgivings. Tell him leave, then tell anyone who will be supportive and happy for you in real life about the baby, and let yourself enjoy the hell out of this pregnancy!

SunshineCake · 29/03/2019 14:47

While I don't know that it's true you wouldn't be allowed IVF, I do know it would still be the end of your relationship if you terminated. I don't know how you'd look at him again. He's not the only man you could have but this baby might be the only baby you'll ever have.

onemoremummy · 29/03/2019 16:55

OP, you know you want this baby. You can put this decision behind you now and move on with your life, enjoy your pregnancy and be ready for the greatest adventure of your life!

theprocrastin8er · 29/03/2019 17:37

Thank you all. Today sickness has really hit and I've struggled to do much at all so sorry for not replying so much. I know what I need to do though, I need to tell him a termination of the pregnancy is off the table. Everything everyone has said has confirmed this. I also need to speak to a friend or my sister so I'm not alone with this. So, some tricky conversations this weekend but whoever said that limbo is the worst is clearly right. It already feels slightly better knowing what the plan is for me, even if I don't know yet how we'll manage the splitting up / moving out.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond or share their own experience. The virtual hugs and flowers and the congratulations have also all been lovely Flowers

OP posts:
Sitdownstandup · 29/03/2019 17:39

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)

No. Nowhere close to true. Being told that your chances of pregnancy from sex are very low, ie they exist, is entirely different from being told that you can't get pregnant naturally, ie they don't exist. Far too many people, not all of them men, think the two are nearly the same. They're not.

Haffdonga · 29/03/2019 17:41

It sounds fairly clear that this is a very wanted baby. Congratulations on your pregnancy! Smile Flowers

Now, you need to put him right down your list of priorities. What he wants or demands or begs is just irrelevant. Give it no more attention. You have more important things to focus on. So start planning for you.

  1. You need emotional support and perhaps someone to share the excitement and joy. Could you tell a good friend or your sister your exciting news over a bottle of non alcoholic fizz this weekend?
  2. You need to look after yourself and your baby's health. Are you using folic acid? Cutting down the alcohol? Doing something nice for yourself? (Swimming, meditation, chocolate - whatever floats your boat?)
  3. You need to start building a vague idea of future plans. Research your company maternity leave and start saving a little towards it each month if you can.
  4. Him? Well tell him what's happening, no discussion. and make absolutely sure you don't give him an easier time in terms of splitting finances etc than is strictly fair out of misplaced guilt for not obeying him. If he threatens suicide call the police or let a friend of his know what's happening and step right away.

Try to start enjoying carrying this little bean. Stop reading miscarriage statistics and start reading pregnancy updates. Buy that first little baby gift, indulge yourself and glow! Smile

lifetothefull · 29/03/2019 17:41

Although your parents may have expressed disapproval with your current set up, it doesn't mean they won't be supportive of you now. Of course only you know whether they fall into the 'religious nut job' camp or 'religious and want the best for their children' camp. I of course want the best for my daughters. My opinion is that it would be best for them to be married to lovely husbands before they have kids and that my son ILs are great dads. However, I will support and love them and their children whatever the circumstances.

Haffdonga · 29/03/2019 17:42

Ha! Cross posted with your update. Good plans.

theprocrastin8er · 29/03/2019 17:47

Also just to add if anyone reads this post now or later on and is in a similar situation with their pregnancy and partner please feel free to contact me so we can form our own mini Mumsnet support group...

OP posts:
Sitdownstandup · 29/03/2019 17:48

If you do speak to him, advise him he should probably consider a vasectomy so he doesn't find himself in this situation again.

theprocrastin8er · 29/03/2019 17:53

Haffdonga
Thank to for the step by step. It really helps to break things down because it's all overwhelming. I am on the folic acid and off the alcohol. The next step is to work out maternity pay which is going to be complicated because I've only just started one part time job (so not eligible) and have another part time job where I should be eligible, but the online calculators seem to assume you only have one job. Arghh! Step 4 will be hard because I know he's very worried about not being able to afford to rent and also pay child maintenance. It does not come naturally to me to be firm about money.

OP posts:
MadameAnchou · 29/03/2019 17:55

Please get some support for yourself before dealing this controlling wanker. He is not your friend here, so whenever he's trying to confuse and bamboozle you with one of his diatribes, keep repeating that in your head because the only thing he is interested in is getting his own way and getting you to abort the baby you want so much. Please look into getting some space from him after you tell him, you're actually very vulnerable and there are more than a few women on this board who have been worn down and bullied into abortions by pure attrition on the part of the biological father.

He strung you along, it came back to bite him in the arse and now he's pissed off he doesn't get to swan off into the sunset with someone else no strings attached.

Tough shit for him.

Keep it simple! 'I have decided to continue the pregnancy. There will be no termination. I understand your opinion. But this is my body, I'm the one who is pregnant and I will not have a procedure on my body that I don't want. I will not engage with or entertain any of your arguments because they are not irrelevant. You continue to bully me or guilt trip me and you have crossed the line into emotional abuse.'

Emotional abuse is a form of domestic violence and it's a crime now.

But he will try anything. They always do. It's yet another line in their script.

Don't fall for it.

Enjoy your pregnancy and keep your baby.

BumbleBeee69 · 29/03/2019 18:01

you need to start being very firm about maintenance OP, it's not for you it's for the baby, don't let him off with that crap. Flowers