Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 12:16

Also I'm sorry to come across as a bit pathetic. I know what it's like to read posts in Relationships and think 'oh God that man needs telling' and the OP isn't standing up to them. I think I'm struggling today because when I tried to stand up to him last night it got quite scary. I can see he is being manipulative and emotionally blackmailing me. This is a side to him that is not nice to see and I know it comes from a deep panic but he's not thinking about me or my feelings.

OP posts:
ijustdontunderstandher · 30/03/2019 12:16

I’m so sorry OP, he’s being incredibly selfish and manipulative. I don’t usually tell people about it, but I felt pregnant with DS1 at 16. DH absolutely panicked, said he couldn’t go through with a pregnancy, his parents would be so disappointed in him. But after it had all calmed down and I explained to him that I couldn’t bring myself to terminate he grew up and stood by me. This was a 17 year old boy, and he didn’t threaten me or manipulate me. I just want you to see that it is perfectly healthy to have a big panic and say you couldn’t cope with a baby, I know I definitely did and men are entitled to that too, but when you make your decision they have no right to threaten you.

Also, I had no one when I feel pregnant with DS. My mum supported me but didn’t help out and DH’s parents didn’t come around to it until much later. We had no money or anything. But we made it work and my DC are without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to me, and I know I’d never have forgave DH if we terminated, I don’t think he’d be my DH.
If you ever want to PM me then feel free too, as much as we were completely different ends of the spectrum, we have both been through the same and even if it’s just a friend to talk to, to take your mind off everything then I’m happy to be that

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 30/03/2019 12:17

Tell him it’s not his decision whether he moves out or not Hmm it’s your flat after all!
Af least you found out what a right prick he is. I’ll say it again - do not put him on birth certificate. He will still be liable to for child maintenance, only you won’t have to consult him on travelling, passport, etc.

MadameAnchou · 30/03/2019 12:18

You're going to have to stop mollycoddling him. He needs to get the fuck out. He'll come back from this houseshare with an excuse. And then continue to try to bully you.

FizzyGreenWater · 30/03/2019 12:19

You might want to see a solicitor - he possibly does have a claim, and you need to know that now, especially if your property has gone up substantially in value since you bought it.

This may sound awful but I would fight him tooth and nail on that - not out of spite, but quite simply because you are now almost certainly going to end up pretty much solely responsible for his joint child too - even if he pays maintenance it isn't going to cover half the costs you will have in the short term connected to childcare etc, and any way you can prevent owing him money will basically be a way of upping that contribution from him. You can see how it's going to pan out - he will be in a flatshare, won't have the space or time to really do his bit, and that's if he doesn't disappear. Not a terrible outcome in many ways, but you certainly don't need to suddenly be owing him £xK.

FizzyGreenWater · 30/03/2019 12:20

Don't worry OP. You're doing fantastically, you're in an incredibly vulnerable place right now and are probably in shock. Tough talk will come later. Flowers

MadameAnchou · 30/03/2019 12:22

It's scary because he's abusive. His behaviour is emotionally abusive. Emotional abuse is a form of domestic violence and domestic violence is a crime. Believe me, this form of abuse, too, is very common when a woman become pregnant. It's very common for that to the be the first time a man becomes abusive. I'd honestly contact a domestic abuse charity for advice and even step into a police station to ask their advice. People on MN will tell you that you can't, but I think in a domestic violence situation you can actually tell him he needs to get out.

Please contact someone because you need support.

YouBumder · 30/03/2019 12:23

I don’t think he’s in a “deep panic”. He’s gone through IVF and had unprotected sex for years, he knew that pregnancy was an option. It sounds more like he’s made what he thinks is a decision that he should be able to get his own way on and he’s desperately scrabbling around trying to do just that because he knows he’s not in control. The “panic”, if there is any, stems from that and not becoming a dad as such.

YolandaVerranda · 30/03/2019 12:23

'we were told you couldn't get pregnant naturally'

I have endometriosis and after a lot of meds and then surgery my gynaecologist told me that having been my doctor for the last 2 years and seeing the state of my ovaries and Fallopian tubes I would need IVF.

Dh and I always try to find the humour in a situation and laughed so hard at all those years we tried not to get pregnant, the condoms, the pill and all that time our chances of an actual pregnancy were none.

So I stopped taking the mini pill and was pregnant in a month. It was a shock to me, Dh and my lovely gynae! Grin

It didn't quite fit in with when we wanted to get pregnant, we had a great life but we knew this was the right thing for us. Ds1 is now 16 and a bloody miracle baby, madly I went on to have another son who is now 13.

I understand your situation is different but your baby was conceived by two willing people who at that time wanted a baby. Your partner needs to see a counsellor to talk through his negativity.

But Dh wasn't close to his Dad growing up and my sons adore him because he isn't his Dad, he doesn't behave like his Dad. In fact we have become very close to Dh's Dad in the last 10 years or so. It is strange that at no time has your partner considered anything positive. Maybe ask him to think about what if in a positive light. What if this child adores you, what if this all worked out amazingly?

almondykess · 30/03/2019 12:26

I think you're doing so well OP. His behaviour has been a big shock to you, so naturally you're still taking it in. If you think things could escalate, then you're absolutely doing the right thing by encouraging him to look for a flatshare while pretending to still be thinking about your options. The priority is getting him out so you both have a little bit of space. Maybe he's caught up in his own head and will calm down once he thinks about it--a baby really isn't the end of the world Flowers

waterbunnies · 30/03/2019 12:29

Op, I've just read your posts. I withdraw my statement before that our situations differ due to my ex being abusive. What you describe is a form of emotional abuse as PP describes. Women's aid are a good listening ear if you need advice.Thanks

Mix56 · 30/03/2019 12:43

There is no going back now. This is the statement you make.
"I want this baby, you don't. You MUST leave & you get on with your life.
You don't have to be involved, ( even though you willingly participated in IVF, your choice, Dick)"
Imagine if he stayed now, trapped, hating you, unwanted baby, he is already trying to manipulate you, it will only get worse.

theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 12:53

Thank you Almondykess I'm definitely still in shock and he's definitely caught up in his own head. He sometimes gets like that with work stress and I'm usually the person to talk him down and balance up his thinking. At the moment if I try to say anything reassuring or present a more positive scenario he just gets much more stressed because I clearly don't understand how bad a father he is going to be. So at the moment I think there's nothing I can do except suggest he sees a therapist. I hope he will do that - for him, not for me really ' but he says he can't afford it on top of rent.

OP posts:
theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 12:56

Mix56
Imagine if he stayed now, trapped, hating you, unwanted baby, he is already trying to manipulate you, it will only get worse.

Yes this is the situation he's presenting as the 'best case scenario' if I proceed with the pregnancy and obviously it's a very bleak one. I would rather be alone and exhausted but at peace than live like that.

OP posts:
MadameAnchou · 30/03/2019 13:02

You need to stop making this about him, pro, it's about YOU and your baby now. He's an abusive twat who's angry he's not getting his own way and won't be your centre of attention now. FUCK suggesting positive things to him. He needs to get out. Please get some support for yourself now, your family, a domestic violence charity because this man is beyond help and his behaviour to you amounts to coercion which is a crime. You can throw him out on this basis.

Mix56 · 30/03/2019 13:02

The best case scenario is for him to move out. Even if ultimately he realizes he has made a monumental mistake (unlikely) at the moment all he is interested in is his personal comfort. So no, tell him, not an option, you have no intention of sharing a home with someone who has no interest in being a father, or in your emotional wellbeing

Thatnovembernight · 30/03/2019 13:06

His behaviour is disgusting. He goes through ivf and then tries to force you to abort to save him his shame. Then he agrees your relationship is over and he’ll
move out but if you terminate then he’ll stay because, well, why not really?!?!
If I were you I would keep very, very quiet about your plans and just keep saying you’ve agreed the relationship is over and he should move out. Make it about the relationship and not he baby. I’d also give him the number of a helpline as this isn’t the first time he’s talked about suicide. In time, keep the door open for a relationship with the baby but don’t let him hold you responsible for what happens with his mental health or his housing situation. This must be so very hard and you’re doing so well x

Mix56 · 30/03/2019 13:06

Plus, this is such a fabulous exciting time for you, he is ruining it.
Even if it's scary to imagine going alone.... You have always wanted a baby, it is your life. He wasn't forced into this situation, If he didn't want a baby he knew he should have worn a condom.
As PP said, this is about YOU now

Happynow001 · 30/03/2019 13:40

@theprocrastin8er
Please do keep encouraging him to move out even "temporarily" so that you can get space from each other. Even if it's just staying with friends (might be quicker).

Give him a short deadline - two weeks max maybe? Less if possible.

AS SOON AS he leaves for this temporary break change the locks on YOUR home. Don't wait/ask for keys to be returned. Until you manage to get the locks changed ensure you leave your keys in the lock when you are home.

Then pack his belongings and arrange a convenient date and time for him to collect his stuff - have someone with you when he does.

Have you booked your dating scan? Perhaps that's your next action?

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.
As a matter of urgency - whatever else happens get yourself some proper legal advice regarding this. Thank goodness you are not married to him as this makes the process a little less complicated.

Tell more people in real life what is happening with you so they can provide you with additional support and maybe stay with you to help you feel safer.

If you haven't already, contact Women's Aid for advice and support.

Conviction and action from you is what's needed now.

At the moment this is all going in your head and within your own four walls - getting a wider perspective can be really helpful. You can go this OP - YES you can.

Milkn0sugar · 30/03/2019 13:47

Kick the bastard out today. He is manipulating you beyond measure. The sooner he's gone, the sooner you can move on with realising a happier future.

FizzyGreenWater · 30/03/2019 13:51

Ok I am going to make a prediction here.

When he finally realises that none of his blackmail techniques or bullying is going to work, he is going to change his tune.

His priority here is Number One - ie him. He doesn't want a baby. But he also doesn't want to move out of his cosy flat and lose his nice life with a partner and shared bills and washing and cooking and all that.

So when he realises that the baby is staying, he's going to drop the suicide threats and do a U-turn which is designed to stop you throwing him out. Because that's his second worst option. He's only doing the dramatic flat viewings and going along with 'this is the end of us' stuff as part of the abortion pressure.

Once he knows there is not going to be an abortion and sees the price of rentals, it will be:

'I will put my own feelings aside and stay to support you'
'I can't afford to move out and pay maintenance'
'We owe it to the baby to try and work this out'
'I was in shock, I am coming round to the idea'
'I am messed up, you can't throw me out on top of this, I won't cope'.

Please, if he starts U-turn, DO NOT be fooled into allowing the narrative to be 'poor him, he was so shocked by the baby news and reacted badly'. DO NOT give this relationship a second chance.

He has shown just how horrible a person he is underneath it all. He has shown what calibre of partner he is. He might turn out to be an ok parent but the chances are he will be just as selfish regarding your child as he is regarding you. He only cares about No 1 and this situation has shown you that VERY CLEARLY.

Backtracking and negotiating will all be of a piece with that - thinking about HIM and not wanting to lose his home.

So - don't fall for it. Make him leave, and take it from there. The relationship is over. Not because of the pregnancy, but because of the despicable way he has treated you and the true colours that are now on show.

GreenTulips · 30/03/2019 13:55

You aren’t married

You owe him nothing

theprocrastin8er · 30/03/2019 14:06

Fizzygreenwater
Yes I can see your predictions coming true. I know I need to guard my heart against hoping for a genuine, selfless u-turn.

OP posts:
kbPOW · 30/03/2019 14:07

I absolutely agree - he's an arch manipulator. Get him out of your flat on whatever basis you need to. That is the only next step you need to worry about. He's the absolute pits. You should forget any notion of trying to be 'fair' with him. Try not to get into a conversation with him about anything.

MadeForThis · 30/03/2019 14:29

Fizzygreenwater has it right. He has went so far down the path of forcing you into an abortion that any uturn is unrealistic. Especially if it also means he doesn't have to move out.

I'm not saying he can't change his mind. But logically this would only happen after months of adjusting to this, working through his issues with being a father and possibly even meeting his dc.

Swipe left for the next trending thread