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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:
timeisnotaline · 30/03/2019 14:36

Op it must be so hard to push your hopes down even knowing they are false. To help you stand firm perhaps you could promise yourself that if he’s an amazing dad you think about him moving back in when baby is 6 months. He can’t possibly keep up any pretence that long , but a genuinely good dad would easily. For now, get him out as fast as possible. You could threaten to tell people about him if he doesn’t leave within a few days...

FizzyGreenWater · 30/03/2019 14:36

genuine, selfless u-turn.

That's not possible.

Think it through logically - a genuine partner with even one 'selfless' bone in his body would not have done what he has done over the last few days.

It's a bit like seeing someone steal a purse, with your own eyes, then mourning the fact that it's unlikely now that they will show themselves to be the kind of person who wouldn't steal. No, they are that kind of person, that bit has been proven.

So you KNOW that he is neither genuine, or selfless, or loving, from your own experiences of the last few days.

You know beyond any reasonable doubt that any U-turn will be borne of thinking of his own skin.

You know also beyond any reasonable doubt how he reacts when the chips are down. Your relationship, his loyalty and his basic moral code have been tested for the first real time here, and this is what he's shown himself to be.

So you could choose to believe in smoke and mirrors, but you know what you know now.

That's why it's important to move decisively now to him leaving - the time for him showing what kind of person he is has come and gone, if he stays you'll place yourself in that horrible no-man's-land inhabited by people who stay, reluctantly or despairingly, with cheats, with gamblers, with violent arses. They know nothing can be good now but become paralysed, and immersed in the justifications and the lies and the dysfunctionality, and it becomes harder to cut the rope.

So I do urge you to shut down further discussion. Take him at his (lying, manipulative) word and say decision made, we are over.

MadameAnchou · 30/03/2019 14:45

Fizzy is 100% spot on. This is the person he is, and with every post you write, can you not see, he's always been selfish and manipulative, but he's really laying it on now because he wants what he wants, however he can get it, blackmail like I'll only move out if you're getting an abortion, threatening suicide and the like. Please contact some support for yourself.

He's emotionally abusive, so there will be no genuine, selfless u-turn.

Do not put him on the birth certificate or give the baby his surname.

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 30/03/2019 15:02

When they said that a knob was required to get you pregnant, this was not what they meant...

Keep your baby. Lose the self centred tosser, those are 10 a penny.

ciderhouserules · 30/03/2019 15:14

Fizzy is absolutely right. This is def his next gambit.

And then, once he's wheedled his way back into your home, he can wait until the baby's here and then claim that 'he never wanted it'

YOU wanted it, so you will be doing all the night wakings, all the parenting, all the paying for stuff, all the grunt work involved (which you'd be doing as a single, anyway) and he can just kick back, do nothing, and keep his life just as it is now.

Get rid. Now.

Mix56 · 30/03/2019 15:18

That's why it's important to move decisively now to him leaving - the time for him showing what kind of person he is has come and gone, if he stays you'll place yourself in that horrible no-man's-land inhabited by people who stay, reluctantly or despairingly, with cheats, with gamblers, with violent arses. They know nothing can be good now but become paralysed, and immersed in the justifications and the lies and the dysfunctionality, and it becomes harder to cut the rope.

Yes to this

ScaredofMomo · 30/03/2019 15:40

Tell him you'll terminate and you'll never forgive him for it. Chuck him out and keep the baby. Then move away and never tell him you kept it. He sounds horrible and you and your baby will be better off without him.

Haffdonga · 30/03/2019 16:21

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 year

No. He doesn't.

This is the very unfortunate position that so many women on MN seem to find themselves in after being betrayed by a partner who dumps them. To their horror there is no such thing as 'common law' marriage. He didn't marry you. He didn't put his name on the mortgage. He could however claim a 'beneficial interest' in the home having paid the mortgage. So you have to pay him some money -that he will have to pay back to you in child support. Confused

You may for moral reasons though choose to acknowledge his contribution over the years and give him a fair amount (for example to pay for the deposit or contribute to the first month's rent on his shared rental) to enable him to move out. Remember though that anything you give him is taking away from your and his child.

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/protecting-your-home-ownership-rights-during-separation

If he refuses to go you will need to evict him, the sooner the better.

Bjorn19 · 30/03/2019 16:30

All of the time spent thinking about how best to deal with him could be put to much better use - for every hour you spend on him, it is an hour you have lost that could have been spent on yourself and the baby. It is very hard to give up something you have invested so much time and emotion in but don't waste anymore time on him. This is a precious time you can spend bonding with the baby and looking after yourself. Nothing else matters as long as you and the baby are safe and happy. Give him the deadline others have suggested (I would say 2 weeks is the very most but I would say next Friday more sensible given some of the utter rubbish he has said to you). During that time go for some walks to give yourself a bit of headspace. Then when he is gone make your home full of love and light ready for your new adventure.

Nibblybits · 30/03/2019 16:44

Huge apologies for this very long post!

Re the post from FizzyGreenWater and his potential ‘investment’ in your property by giving you directly a monthly contribution to general outgoings.

I believe it’s highly unlikely he can make a claim against the value of your property unless he has been paying anything directly to your mortgage provider or have proof that he’s contributed to the ‘bricks and mortar’ of the property. For example major refurbishment costs or an extension.

I also believe that doesn’t include household bills although if he has his name (with or without yours) on any utilities it could give him an inch to take a mile. If he’s simply ‘making a contribution to you towards food, utilities etc’ that does not give him any part ownership of your property.

I was made homeless by my physically, emotionally and verbally ex partner, along with our 8 year old son with absolutely no recourse even though I had paid for all our baby’s equipment, contributed to household bills, food, soft furnishings, decorations etc ad infinitum.

There is no such thing as a Common Law Spouse. You either are or are not married and being your expected child’s parent doesn’t count for one jot.

I’m first time posting on MN, signed up and logged on because I’m reliving my misery and angst through following your thread from the beginning.

I wish I had had the strength and wherewithal to have retreated to my own, owned home, retained it rather than sell and drip feed (make, I quote ‘a positive contribution’) the proceeds into his house until there was nothing left and he then resented having to ‘share’ his income to support us and made our lives a misery.

Please please take on board all the very well meant and succint advice and however you think fit ensure he’s out and gone as far away from you as quickly as possible. If he’s no legal right of entry have the locks changed whilst he’s out viewing his potential flat share or at work. Only allow him in to pack his belongings with a couple of (hefty male) friends present. Ensure that he takes nothing of yours.

Further, as oft mentioned previously, do not put his name on the Register of Births so you retain control over your child until/if he decides he wants parental rights. It really will make your life and your child’s so much less complicated in the future.

I really wish you the very very best and congratulations on your miraculous pregnancy.

OutAndAbouter · 30/03/2019 16:52

Can you tell him that you're keeping the baby, he needs to move out, and you'll bring the baby up alone and won't ever ask anything from him?

(You of course can apply for child support when the baby arrives but he doesn't need to know that now.) might be a way to sweeten him to get him out of your home ASAP?

Petitprince · 30/03/2019 17:06

Big hug to you OP. You're doing brilliantly and you'll be an amazing mum.

MadameAnchou · 30/03/2019 17:43

I'd really seek some support from domestic violence charities and even a little word with the police because I'm not seeing where he can stay when he's using coercive and bullying behaviour to try to cajole you into an abortion you don't want.

Ellenborough · 30/03/2019 17:51

No way would I terminate in your position. NO WAY.

And I’m one of those people who is usually telling people to terminate.

Fridasrage · 30/03/2019 17:59

Some comments about child maintenance from a person who used to work there!

This can help you calculate how much it will be:
www.gov.uk/calculate-your-child-maintenance

You should contact CMS soon after kiddo arrives. Details here:
www.gov.uk/child-maintenance/how-to-apply

Whilst you can sort out child maintenance privately (and still have it paid privately) if you go through CMS then the maintenance is enforceable and if he stops paying they can collect through his wage. When I worked there most cases were of people who had private arrangements initially which had broken down and the parent with care had lost months and months of maintenance as a result.

I saw that you said that he can’t afford rent in London and child maintenance. The view taken by the DWP is that the welfare of the child is paramount and maintenance is a priority debt - if he said that to an operator at CMS they’d tell him to move somewhere cheaper without missing a beat.

KeepCoolCalmAndCollected · 30/03/2019 18:28

Don't have an abortion you will regret it for the rest of your life.

Don't be bullied.

It's natural to feel weak and waiver at times, but stick to your guns because that very precious little baby is very much counting on you and you only.

It's not about him, he will very likely go on to have children with someone else in the future. I know from experience this often happens.

This is about you now and your good fortune.

He is a Bastard for treating you like this at what is the most special time of your life.

You need him out of your flat.

Tread carefully and be very cautious how you go about this. Make sure you have someone there when he goes because he really is displaying some very unhinged and manipulative actions. (Obviously getting the locks changed is a top priority).

When he is gone it will probably dawn on you how controlling and manipulative he has been with you in the past.

Early stages of your pregnancy, but I think you should start to alert people and gain some support. Hopefully he will back-off because he won't want other people to know about his appalling behaviour.

Paddy1234 · 30/03/2019 18:39

Do not have an abortion - you will regret it
I know, I have been there.
I wish I had mumsnet 30 years ago when it happened.

fc301 · 30/03/2019 18:59

He's right. You should terminate ... the relationship. What an utter utter shit.

Congratulations 💐

Pinkybutterfly · 30/03/2019 19:08

Dear Op. Big hugs XXX I want you to breathe deep. Cherish this moment, you have a little human being growing inside you, at the moment all your energy has to go to calm down, eat well, take care of yourself and enjoy the moment. Assume the baby is fine, be positive because worrying won't help the situation. Ur ex partner is saying all sorts of things to make you feel sorry. Ignore him. I would say at this moment you aren't my priority. So if you want to be negative etc get out, go to get help. Don't let anyone ruin this experience. It's super easy to get a room in London.... Don't let him blackmail you xxxxxx

Jenniferyellowcat · 30/03/2019 19:26

Please kick this awful bloke out. I know how hard it is. I was with someone like your partner. The veiled threat of suicide kept me emotionally wedded to him for three wasted years. The minute I left that relationship was the moment I felt free, and two days later I met my DH. (Good things happen when you aren’t mentally shackled to an emotionally abusive twat).

I still mourned the relationship. I have no idea now why. So if you feel sad or scared, don’t doubt it’s the right decision. He’s shown his true colours this week. In the end I thought, what would my lovely Gran make of all this shit? And something clicked and I just made up my mind. While I thought he was my ‘soulmate’ and things had been ‘good’, the reality of him was completely different to the person he was in my head.

Kick him out and cut him off. Can you manage without relying on him financially? You have your own flat, can you be independent from him? Seriously consider it. (and please don’t even consider a termination!)

WelliesAndPyjamas · 30/03/2019 19:49

Oh, OP, I’ve just read this whole thread and just wanted to add my support. Have your darling little baby and have a happy ever after together. You will more than cope. Mothers just do.

I have 3 DC and have luckily had a very loving and supportive DH but if anything, God forbid please, were ever to happen to him I know I could still manage and still absolutely love every moment of being their mother and father combined.

Your DP has been damaged by his upbringing and it is not your job to fix him. By being the maker and grower of this baby, you have a right to be the birther and raiser. Rightly or wrongly, he gets to choose his own involvement and whether or not he wants to be a grown up. Pity him and support him (if you want) but don’t get dragged down by him.

Wishing you well x

Rubytinsleslippers · 30/03/2019 19:54

FlowersCake just sending some support. One day you will look back and this will be history. It is horrendous and hard right now but you will be fine!

BIWI · 30/03/2019 20:30

I think you are way over-thinking his response here, to are honest. He's being over-dramatic and completely self-absorbed.

Obviously a decision about a termination is up to you - but given your medical history (as well as your own desires, which are just as, if not more, important!) then why would you terminate?

He needs to grow the fuck up. It's not all about him. Now it's about you, and the baby you have both created!

I'm sorry that he has let you down so badly. Flowers

Ribbonsonabox · 30/03/2019 20:46

Whatever is or is not going on with this man because of his upbringing.. he has now moved from the territory of self obsessed shit into the territory of an actual abusive arsehole....
He is trying to coerce you into having an abortion.... using threats of harming himself, refusal to leave your property....
This no longer merits compassion and understanding, this is abusive and you need to protect yourself and your baby from him.
Say anything just get him out of there so he cant try and manipulate you any more.
Flowers

Mix56 · 30/03/2019 21:14

Remember it us indeed a miraculous pregnancy..... From there on.. he can simply bow to the evidence