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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:
YouBumder · 30/03/2019 01:33

He’s an abusive, manipulative bastard. He’s no more going to kill himself than I am to fly to the moon. It’s just a desperate, pathetic tactic to try and get his own way now he knows he’s got no control, Don’t fall for it.

Your relationship is over. Put you and your baby first.

theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 01:39

Thank you for all the messages even in the middle of the night. I have really need every bit of reassurance, support and kindness. I am in bed now (he's in the box room) and hoping that tomorrow will be slightly better than today.

OP posts:
theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 01:47

Oh, howmanyleftfeet thank you so much for sharing your experiences and I'm sorry you've been through all of that.

I'm not sure what I'll do if he drags out the moving out. Something for me to think about this weekend as it's not particularly unlikely, not necessarily as a tactic to stay (I think he actually does want to move out) but more because he might be holding out for the perfect flat share.

OP posts:
dreichuplands · 30/03/2019 01:56

Oh OP, that really does sound hard, particularly when you should be focusing on a much wanted pregnancy.
You are not responsible for DO's mental health, good or bad.
In a few weeks hopefully this will all be a bad memory.
You need to focus on what is right for you and not him at this time.
💐

SpinningSister · 30/03/2019 03:39

Me and my DH found out we needed IVF but probably wouldn’t work due to our issues

Took 12 years but I’m up feeding my 10 week old baby, after finding out at 10 weeks i was pregnant

Such a shock!

May I tell you, it’s the best thing I ever did. He’s wonderful. I’m thrilled you are keeping your baby. You wouldn’t ever forgive yourself

It won’t be easy considering he’s being a complete wanker but once you have your baby, your in another dimension

Flowers all my love and best wishes

Ihatehashtags · 30/03/2019 04:33

All the best OP! You’ll be enjoying tour lovely baby soon

Starfish28 · 30/03/2019 05:10

I’ve just read your thread. I’m so sorry you are going through this. Your partner’s behavior is unforgivable. He obviously needs to get some help for whatever has triggered him to become the abusive (but are you sure he has changed this suddenly or have you sub-consciously always put his needs first and your not now?). But you also need him out of your space. Can he not go and stay in a hotel or with a friend. You do not need this level of toxic abuse around you. I’m sure you will be a fantastic mother. You never know what the future holds and I’m sure once you start telling people offers of support will come in. Try not to focus on things like siblings. There are far far worse things in life than being an only child.

Milkn0sugar · 30/03/2019 05:25

To go through what you've been through over the last few years and find yourself pregnant is wonderful news - don't let him convince you otherwise, as hard as he'll try in order to get his own way. He sounds incredibly selfish and based on what you have said, I'd be telling him to jog on regardless. If it was me, I'd tell him to go ahead and move out. You don't need the stress and the bad vibes which could compromise your health and this pregnancy as well as suck the joy out of this special time. Then I'd focus my energy and attention on building a happy life for me and my child. Yes, it will be incredibly hard, but I suspect it would be harder to deal with if you never get pregnant again and reflect back on this as the moment you gave away the opportunity to be a mum and raise a child (ultimately for the benefit of a selfish arse-wipe) He would have to pay maintenance, which he'll be all too aware of, so you'll have some financial support. Good luck with whatever YOU decide is best for you and your life. x

PaterPower · 30/03/2019 06:18

God, don’t call 999 if he threatens again - they’ve got more than enough on their plate without dealing with empty-threat time wasters like your stbx.

If I were you I would set a time limit on his staying so it focuses his mind on finding a flat share, however far from “perfect” it may end up. Good luck OP, I admire your strength of mind.

Georgepigthedragon · 30/03/2019 06:46

OP it really sounds like he's manipulating you. This is incredibly unfair and you are not responsible for his mental health. You can do this on your own. Congratulations on your pregnancy Flowers

Tiredemma · 30/03/2019 07:06

OP he won't kill himself the manipulative little shit.

ciderhouserules · 30/03/2019 07:31

Of course he won't kill himself! It's classic manipulation and guilt-tripping. He doesn't want to die, he wants your baby to die so that he doesn't have to pay towards it.

I agree it's a good idea to get him out sooner - it's a dangerous time for you; pregnant, vulnerable and he knows it. Be careful.

as Pater says so eloquently there are some situations where this is difficult like contraception failure. This isn’t one of them. - Please don't give this headspace. 'Contraception failure' is not and never must be a reason or device for men to force their 'consent' or otherwise on a woman's body. Men DO NOT have any say in what happens to a pregnant woman's body, and that is the way it MUST stay. Contraception failure or no. The only way a man can 'not consent' to a pregnancy is to not have sex.

picklemepopcorn · 30/03/2019 07:33

It sounds as though you have been inadvertently doing everything his way for years. He's shocked that you are standing up for yourself and your baby.

Stay strong.

sue51 · 30/03/2019 07:39

He is using the threat of suicide as a form of control. Stay strong and keep in control, don't let him manipulate you in this way. The sooner he is out the better for you and baby.

ATailofTwoKitties · 30/03/2019 07:50

Why on earth was he surprised that having wanted a baby enough to go through ivf, you still want a baby?

Why did he think it was ‘out of character’?

He’s the one who has changed his mind. Given that you don’t have magically linked brains, why did he think you would suddenly have changed yours?

I think you should try to get away for a few days if you can, away from his melodrama and tantrums. If a baby wasn’t going to be his death sentence four weeks ago, it still isn’t now.

Middersweekly · 30/03/2019 08:03

If in your situation I would definitely not terminate the pregnancy. You’ve been through enough and this may be you’re only chance to become a parent!

He’s a selfish twat who keeps changing his mind and expects you to keep up with his indecisiveness! He won’t kill himself. He’s purely using this as a ploy to manipulate you.

I would just carry on as if you’re a single parent from here on in and tell him you won’t be asking him for anything from here on in.

Lordamighty · 30/03/2019 08:16

Threatening suicide if you don’t terminate is shameful. Shame on him, he is lower than a snake’s belly.
Get rid of him & focus your attention on your pregnancy.
Pregnant or not no one needs this kind of manipulation in a relationship.

sodonesooverit · 30/03/2019 08:41

He won't kill himself, he's just saying that so you do as he wants. Ignore his pathetic wailing and get on with sorting out what you want to do. He consented to trying for a baby, he doesn't then get to change his mind and force you towards termination. You're going to be just fine OP - you can do this

GreenTulips · 30/03/2019 08:53

He said it was selfish and completely out of character for me and he couldn't believe it.

Yep the worm has turned! Do not back down. Kept those positive thoughts of this scum bag out of your life and your look back and wonder what on earth you were thinking of!

Tunnockswafer · 30/03/2019 09:11

How is it “out of character” for a woman who’s gone through IVF to not want to terminate their pregnancy? Confused He will say anything at this point. Does he have family who you could want about his (if they’re real) suicidal thoughts? As he can’t be your problem anymore.
Stay strong you’ve done great so far Flowers

Bjorn19 · 30/03/2019 09:13

Hi,

I just wanted to say that there is another thing to consider here - you can have this baby now and sure, you will be on your own doing the first bit but it doesn't mean you are on your own forever. Having this baby doesn't mean you won't ever meet someone new, someone lovely and caring who will share your family and theirs with you. Yes it might not be tomorrow or next month but at some point you will meet someone, perhaps someone who has their own child and you will make your own kind of family with them. Throwing away this toxic relationship with what sounds like an incredibly controlling and manipulative man isn't you throwing away your chance at support. It is you giving yourself your very best chance at hope.

You will find new support networks in other places, friends and baby groups. But most importantly you will find strength and support in yourself when you realise how strong you really are because not only can you grow a human (which is pretty mega) but you can also do that whilst dealing with so much upset.

Babies are really hard work and it is really scary but you can totally do this. Don't place your future in the hands of a man who is willing to let you throw away your hopes and dreams.

PrayingandHoping · 30/03/2019 09:13

There is no doubt he is being beyond selfish trying to deprive you of very possibly the only chance you will have of becoming a mother....

kbPOW · 30/03/2019 09:21

He absolutely won't kill himself. But I would think about it like this - there are three lives to consider here. He wants you to end one of them. You need to focus on the 2 most important lives. I think he has been intending to leave you anyway and would still do so if you did what he wanted. He would probably tell people that he left you because you aborted his baby.

There is no place for this kind of evil in your future. You will have a wonderful life with your baby. In your shoes, if possible, I would move away and disappear.

Justonemorepancake · 30/03/2019 09:21

Well done. You've told him. Now you can just avoid the topic entirely - shut him down if he brings it up. No need to keep going over it as it leaves you open to his threats. He's incredibly manipulative and emotionally abusive. The sooner he goes the better then you can focus on you and the baby. Good luck OP+

Lozzerbmc · 30/03/2019 09:27

OP having read this whole thread you are doing the right thing. He is trying to control and manipulate you and thinking you would terminate a preg after going through ivf shows a total lack of understanding and care of your feelings and wants. You are right to end the relationship.

I did ivf with a new partner after 3 failed attempts with exh, but DP waived and finding i was preg brought mixed feelings -thrilled that it happened finally at the age of 37 but fear at going it alone. My parents knew nothing (couldnt put them through ivf again) my mum is traditional and religious and i was worried about their reaction, but when i told them they were thrilled and fully supportive. They are adoring grandparents.

I was a single mum at the start - it was scary but i loved it just the two of us.

I would tell him you are def going ahead. His problem to worry about where he lives and paying maintenance. It takes two to make a baby right?

What is evident from your posts is that you dont think of yourself enough. Stop thinking of him think of you and baby.

And for the record terminating and trying ivf in the future is way too risky and a recipe for regret and heartbreak. Ivf has such a low success rate in reality.

You will never regret having a baby. Its an absolute JOY. I thank my lucky stars every day for my boy. Good luck

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