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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:
ElsieMc · 30/03/2019 09:29

Op, his behaviour is appalling. He has thrown everything at you, with no thought for your own welfare. He needs to go straightaway, really.

My own dd recently asked her partner to leave and they have a young child. His constant negativity, silences, and his treatment of another child of the family forced her hand. I believe it killed her feelings for him. She says a huge weight is lifted from her shoulders although financially it is hard. She said always tip-toeing around his feelings and moods was like having a sulky teenager dragging her down. She says she feels free and happy.

Your partner is much worse than this. For your own welfare and that of your unborn child, he really must go. Using the threat of suicide to get you to abort is beyond the pale and shocking. Do get family support.

juneau · 30/03/2019 10:24

He really is taking no responsibility isn't he? Blaming you, making you feel guilty and miserable and laying this all at your door. It takes TWO people to make a baby and if he wanted to break up and didn't want, under any circumstances to have a baby with you, THEN HE SHOULD HAVE WORN A FUCKING CONDOM! The number of times I've seen posts like yours on MN about a man being furious that a woman has got pregnant when he chose to have sex with her without using protection is huge.

I'm glad he's in the box room. I'm glad he's moving out. He's a selfish man-child and if your pregnancy works out and you have a baby you will be much better off without this individual in your life making everything about HIM. Because when you have a baby it's all about THEM and he'd never cope with that.

Flowers Be strong! You can do this.

Sitdownstandup · 30/03/2019 10:34

Do not have an abortion, whatever he says.

animaginativeusername · 30/03/2019 10:40

Even if you have the abortion there is no guarantee that you will stay together. I think if you want to keep the baby you should.

AbbieLexie · 30/03/2019 10:50

Flowers Congratulations. I also join the chorus of you're much better off without him. Remember he is responsible for himself and his actions - you are not responsible.

MadameAnchou · 30/03/2019 10:53

Well done. You've told him. Now you can just avoid the topic entirely - shut him down if he brings it up.

Oh, people like this will keep bringing it up, because the OP has the measure of him, she told him she thinks she cannot terminate and she knows he still believes he's going to get his way and she'll have a termination. I agree, it's best he moves out pronto or she goes and stay somewhere else until he moves.

On a practical level, OP, whose name is the tenancy in and how left is long on the tenancy agreement?

Do you have someone you can stay with? You are still really vulnerable because anyone who threatens suicide to manipulate a person into terminating a pregnancy they want to keep is one you want to get away from as soon as possible.

Haffdonga · 30/03/2019 11:06

This sounds like the worst bit for you while he comes to terms with the revelation that he can't control you through threats and emotional blackmail.

Of course rationally his suicide threats are totally illogical. Why does he need to kill himself just because there is a baby? His life can be as affected or not by having a child as he chooses. People saying he wont do it don't know that. He might or he might not but frankly if becoming a father after actively participating in IVF is this traumatic for him then he is depressed or unstable enough that he would commit suicide anyway for any other perceived trauma. It is not to do with this pregnancy or your break up or anything which you can control. It's to do with his unhealthy state of mind.

Now you've told him, you can disengage from him. Your relationship is over and you are not responsible for his mental health or his living conditions. Don't get involved in any more emotional discussions. Keep it calm and polite and communicate only about household or financial details where necessary.

Have a good weekend and enjoy surprising your sister with your amazing news. Smile

otterturk · 30/03/2019 11:10

Have the baby, leave the twat

waterbunnies · 30/03/2019 11:21

OP. I haven't read your full thread, but... I am a newly single mum to a tiny baby. When I was pregnant I refused to leave my abusive partner (this is where my story differs to yours) because I was convinced that being a single mum would be awful. Now, in hindsight, leaving him (when DS was 3 months old) was the best thing I ever did. I now LOVE being a single mum and it's just me and my boy for now. There's nothing like it. I never thought I would be in this position however once it comes to it, you'll love your baby so much not much else will matter in the grand scheme of things. Please, please do not terminate because he wants you to. Especially if you really want this baby. You will never live with yourself. It sounds silly but I felt I loved my baby and was protective over him from the moment I found out I was pregnant. I had lots of complications and my ex pressed me to terminate but I didn't. I considered it! But looking at my boy now, flaws and all I'm so glad I didn't.

If you terminate, you will regret it and ponder on your decision and beat yourself up over it likely for the rest of your life. Trust me when I say that you will likely never regret your child.

Oliversmumsarmy · 30/03/2019 11:27

He said he would have to kill himself if I go ahead and I really fear he might

I lived the whole of my childhood in fear of my mother committing suicide until at the age of 8 she was screaming at me how she was going to kill her self and it would be all my fault because I hadn’t polished the skirting boards correctly or some other cleaning related shit and a switch went off in me.
I ended up going to get the pills and telling her to get on with it.

She is still alive today at 85

People who threaten suicide and say others are to blame in my experience (visited enough MH units and heard others talking about why they tried to kill themselves) don’t go through with it.

Op you have just got to flick the “switch” it will make the next few days/weeks bearable until he moves out and then you can really start living and planning

Can I ask why is he bothering looking for a flat share if he is going to commit suicide?

theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 11:47

Thank you all. He says he is only looking for a flatshare on the assumption I'm terminating the pregnancy and we need time apart to think about the future of the relationship. He says if I'm not terminating then there's no point him moving out because it would be illusory, he's locked into our life and locked to the baby and he won't be able to afford to move out even though he'll be completely miserable. I am now treading a tricky line of wanting to tell the truth but also wanting him to move out.

He keeps telling there is no way he can be a good father to the baby in this situation (where we're not together and he doesn't want children) and the shame of being a bad father is what makes him want to die rather than live through it. I think Haffdonga has probably summed it up fairly well that this is a preexisting unhealthy state of mind being pushed to crisis. I don't think I can be sure he won't kill himself but I do accept that if he did it wouldn't be my fault. I'm not sure that would make it much easier to live with though.

OP posts:
YouBumder · 30/03/2019 11:49

OP I really hope you find the strength to tell this horrible and abusive piece of shit to fuck off. Flowers

PrayingandHoping · 30/03/2019 11:50

Not really solely his choice whether he moves out or not is it? Don't let him dictate to you! If you want him out (let's face it him being there with you keeping the baby is going to be no good for your state of mind) tell him he is leaving. He is responsible for himself, his feelings and his actions. Don't let him keep putting it on you. You and your baby and important to you xx

GreenTulips · 30/03/2019 11:51

So he stil has the need to control your decision
Keep the baby he’s not moving because he doesn’t want to be the bad guy
Terminate and he’ll leave

So he knows you want his to leave and he’s twisted the situation so blackmailing you agin

howmanyleftfeet · 30/03/2019 11:55

If you think it'll make him leave, tell him that you agree, you need time apart to think about the future of the relationship!

Once he's gone, tell him you've thought about it and decided it's over.

Is he taking any actual, real steps to look for a place?

Am I right in thinking, you own the flat and he doesn't? If so he has very few rights to be there.

I'm worried for you that he'll drag it out.

howmanyleftfeet · 30/03/2019 11:56

I think maybe you need to give him a deadline to go. If he hasn't found a place, then he needs to leave, even if it's to a sofa at a friend's house.

howmanyleftfeet · 30/03/2019 11:58

Not a long deadline! He's not being reasonable to you. You really don't need to keep putting him first.

FizzyGreenWater · 30/03/2019 12:06

He really is desperately pushing every button he can think of - anything, ANYTHING to get you to undergo that termination. However, have you noticed that he's hedging his bets too? 'If you don't have a termination then there's no point in me moving out' - eh? Oh hang on, I see! What he wants is a termination and still have his cosy home setup. If he can bully you into that then that's the best outcome. But if he can't bully and is going to end up with a baby, then he's not going to lose his cosy home too - might as well stay. Cheaper, too.

He is utterly disgusting - and at least you know that now. Absolutely no regard whatsoever for what you want, for your right to choose, for your welfare.

I hope you can see how the 'bet hedging' described above betrays how incredibly unlikely it is that he will commit suicide. This isn't a man on the edge, unable to see past the catastrophic event. He's already thinking ahead to how best to not lose out any more than he has to if you keep the baby, isn't he?! Hmm - coming up with a convoluted logic on how it's obviously best he doesn't leave and stays put and comfy!!

It's not 100% clear to me whether it's your owned flat you're in at the mo? If so, give him notice to leave and tell him that the relationship is over. He is an absolute weasel and you have had an amazing wake up call. Newsflash: if you'd terminated, he would absolutely string you along and no you would not ever have children, and if he ever did change his mind and want them, you can be sure he'd drop you like a hot brick in a few years for someone younger and fertile.

warriorprincessandwidowed · 30/03/2019 12:08

Op he is a massive twat.

He thought he could wrap you round his little finger and you would just do.

The sentence about how he thought you would do what he wanted struck me and made me feel sick.

Just fuck him off and get on. Your going to be a mummy now.... that calls for a back bone and balls. Some might not agree but who gives a shit... he threatened to kill himself to guilt you into doing what he wants...

Go and share you news. Look even your parents might be so religious it hurts but they may surprise you. Your judging on being 19 vs your 34.

Could be wrong but good luck and dry crackers and coco cola worked for me xx

dreichuplands · 30/03/2019 12:09

It would seem sensible for him to move out at least for a while to give you both time to work out if you want to be together.
He needs to understand that you have lots of choices in this, choices around your pregnancy, choices around whether you want to be in a relationship with him and if so what type of relationship works for you.
Why does he think that only he gets to be in control?
What do you want?

YouBumder · 30/03/2019 12:09

Can I ask why is he bothering looking for a flat share if he is going to commit suicide?

Hahaha! Good point.

if you'd terminated, he would absolutely string you along and no you would not ever have children, and if he ever did change his mind and want them, you can be sure he'd drop you like a hot brick in a few years for someone younger and fertile.

I think this too. Imagine how you’d feel if your terminated for him and never got a chance to be a mum again, and he swanned off with a younger model and got her pregnant.

theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 12:09

Yes, I own the flat - I'm the only one on the deeds and the mortgage - but we moved into it together and he has always paid half of the mortgage and bills as 'rent'. There is no formal agreement in place or anything and I am not sure but legally he may have a claim on the flat because of paying off the mortgage for several years. However he hasn't said that. He is actually going to a shared house viewing today so crossed fingers it goes well.

Despite me luckily owning a flat (because a relative died) neither of us earn a lot for London so renting whilst paying towards a child will be a big stretch for him, it's undeniable.

OP posts:
FizzyGreenWater · 30/03/2019 12:10

He keeps telling there is no way he can be a good father to the baby in this situation (where we're not together and he doesn't want children) and the shame of being a bad father is what makes him want to die rather than live through it.

More desperate bullshitting to get you into that operating theatre at all costs.

Here's an idea. You could go to him and say, I'm so confused, maybe I AM being unfair to you - I know, let's ask a couple of trusted friends what they think. I'll tell them the WHOLE story - IVF, you going through IVF with me THEN changing your mind and then being sure it's fair now for you to pressurise me into a termination you KNOW I don't want on the basis that you 'didn't consent'. We clearly can't agree on this point of conscience - let's ask some neutral people.

He would bluster and run a mile. He would know 100% that if you did that, the horrified looks on their faces would tell both of you all you need to know. He knows what he's saying and doing.

FizzyGreenWater · 30/03/2019 12:12

Oh and just to be clear:

horrified looks on their faces = the normal response from any normal person to the notion that someone is bullying and pressurising someone to have a termination.

Doesn't even need to include any additional detail.

He knows full well what he is doing is not what any decent person or partner would ever countenance.

MadameAnchou · 30/03/2019 12:13

I am now treading a tricky line of wanting to tell the truth but also wanting him to move out.

He is fucking abusive. He is emotionally abusive and using coercive behaviour as part of his abuse. And this is EXACTLY what it is. Are you both on the tenancy? I think you need to get away from him because he's abusive and you're vulnerable.

He won't kill himself. Nope, he just threatens this as part of his abuse.

You lie to him to get him out and he will still attempt to bully and abuse you.

I'd honestly speak to Women's Aid at this point because what he's doing is very common and if he's not on the tenancy, I'd tell him he needs to LEAVE.

If I could go and stay with anyone I'd be out of there.

Do NOT fall for ANY of his lies because he is 100% following a script. He will fuck off and leave you and the baby, you'll never have to worry about his sorry arse in your lives.

But you have to start putting you and the baby first because this guy is a cunt.

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