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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:
ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule · 01/04/2019 00:06

So good to hear you've got the support of your sister. You don't have to go through any of this alone, OP. Stay strong, you're doing amazingly.

beeyourself · 01/04/2019 00:31

Glad you've got support OP. I would think the same as you, make sure he moves out, let him think you'll terminate if necessary.

Then as soon as he's gone, change the locks, make sure he's out of your home properly. Does he have family? I'd be inclined to contact them and say you're worried for his mental health and let them look out for him. You need to put you and the baby first.

JingsMahBucket · 01/04/2019 01:29

That is amazing news @theprocrastin8er. Are you feeling lighter for having talked to your sister? Definitely keep engaging her to help you spread the word or do some difficult tasks you just really can’t fathom right now. I’m so happy to hear that she’s giving you her full support.

MerryMarigold · 01/04/2019 03:36

You sound very kind. That will make you a great mum. It can also make it easier for him to manipulate you. You definitely need head space away from him. If he has ANY concern for you, he'll understand this. Sadly, it sounds like he's not capable of real love, which this situation has revealed. Self absorbed is a generous description.

You are actually blessed to have got here. You suggest have your child to thank for revealing this. You could not have grown old with that level of selfishness, constantly being the one who 'compromises' ie. does what he wants.

Thinking you and hoping that it'll all go smoothly for you. Whatever happens, you've seen his true colours. He seems incapable of putting anyone before himself, so he's right about fearing whether he can be a good parent. However, he should fear whether he can be a good partner to anyone.

Noimaginationxyzz · 01/04/2019 12:13

I haven't had time to read all the updates, but just to say, you do need to be really sensible about your home, which you bought and own. Don't allow emotion / upset to get in the way of dealing properly with a capital asset which is YOURS and you need your home, which is in your name, for you and your child. No rubbish about I paid for the electric etc is relevant. People choose to marry; people choose to save up and buy houses together. He chose neither.

Petitprince · 01/04/2019 20:50

Hope you're ok OP.

theprocrastin8er · 01/04/2019 23:41

Thanks Petit. To be honest I'm struggling with a lot of doubt and fear about my decision to proceed with the pregnancy, but I hope things will get easier / clearer. Plus sickness just seems to make everything harder. However I am seeing a counsellor tomorrow so that should hopefully help. Smile

OP posts:
JingsMahBucket · 02/04/2019 03:36

Good luck with the counselor in the morning @theprocrastin8er. Do you have a midwife yet? If so, definitely ask her about the morning sickness and any remedies.

picklemepopcorn · 02/04/2019 07:20

Have a good appointment today, OP!

Can I just advise you to hang on to the idea of a baby? Pregnancy hormones can be pretty rough. I had planned and tried for DS2, but by the time i realised I was pregnant with him I couldn't feel any joy at all. I won't go into details, but I'm so glad I hung on to my rational belief that I wanted this baby. I did, desperately, and I'm so glad he's here. In the midst of sickness and hormone surges though, i didn't feel that way at all.

GreenTulips · 02/04/2019 08:03

OP most of us struggle when we finally conceive even the most planned and wanted babies

It just seems so huge! Things suddenly change and there’s no going back! This is quite normal.

The worry and stress of a standard pregnancy is real.

Look after yourself

PinkBlueStripes · 02/04/2019 08:41

Hi OP, hang in there. Once you have a plan you will be fine.

Would you stay in or sell the house?

howmanyleftfeet · 02/04/2019 08:52

It just seems so huge! Things suddenly change and there’s no going back! This is quite normal.

Totally agree with this. It's very normal to worry if you're going to be a good mother. In fact it's arguably a sign you'll be a good mother as It's a good sign you want to be!

AceOfSpades123 · 02/04/2019 08:53

How are you doing OP? Has he moved out?

RainbowFox · 02/04/2019 10:00

I had IVF for my DS so couldn't have been more planned, yet I still had 'oh shit what have I done' moments, especially in the first trimester. I also had very severe sickness and nausea and could totally relate to why some women terminate pregnancies for that reason alone. I just had to keep hold of the fact I wouldn't feel physically ill forever. So I'd just say be conscious of those feelings being normal anyway, and not necessarily an indication you should terminate.

RainbowFox · 02/04/2019 10:03

Just to add, I had IVF as a single person so completely understand how daunting it is facing it on your own. But you can find a way to make it work, it's not easy of course, but even couples find it hard. However it's incredibly rewarding, with many special and happy times, so the hard work more than pays for itself!

Cath2907 · 02/04/2019 12:30

My sister was a single mum for her DD after her boyfriend decided not to support her. I can't lie and say it wasn't hard. I went to her antenatal classes with her. She was sad about the shit head dumping her and worried for her and her baby.

The baby is now 9 and my sis is remarried with a 5 year old and whilst it absolutely was hard my niece is a gorgeous young lady with no hang ups due to her absent biological father.

I got married and had a baby after 2 years of trying. Fast forward and the baby is now 8. We chose not to have further children and recently divorced. My DD is well adjusted and delightful. She isn't upset about being an only at all. Now she is used to the whole divorce thing she isn't upset about that either! She is actually with her Dad this evening.

Things rarely work out how you would like them to. Do your best and love your child. Try to cushion them from life's bumps and bruises. Laugh often with them (and occasionally at them). Don't borrow hang ups for them. They'll know any different!

theprocrastin8er · 02/04/2019 13:25

Thanks all. He has committed to a room in a shared house which is available in a couple of weeks, which seems to be the quickest available of the options. Until then I will spend some nights at my sister's where possible. I feel so sad about the end of the relationship despite his recent behaviour, I suppose it's the loss of the relationship I thought I had. We moved into this flat in such a happy, positive place and I am dreading the emptiness and loneliness.

OP posts:
Sitdownstandup · 02/04/2019 13:31

All this is normal. Everyone feels panicky at times when they have a human growing in them, everyone feels sad and grieves the end of previously happy situations. Keep on keeping on!

MerryMarigold · 02/04/2019 13:31

It won't be empty for long! Yes, we do need to grieve shattered dreams. But it sounds like you're definitely best off out.

MadameAnchou · 02/04/2019 13:32

Please don't let him talk you round! Hasn't he got somewhere to stay? I'd be kicking him out, honestly. I'm just so glad you are keeping the pregnancy. He's a twat.

juneau · 02/04/2019 13:37

Being sad about what has happened is entirely natural - you'd have to be made of stone to not feel what you're feeling. You do have choices OP. I know you've decided you want to keep the pregnancy, but if you decide after all that that's not what you want, that's okay. This relationship is over, whatever happens, but how you choose to proceed with your life now that it's over is entirely up to you. You get to write the next chapter. Have your counselling session. Talk to people whose opinions you value and trust. Do what feels right, whatever that is.

Pinkybutterfly · 02/04/2019 13:49

Op, very soon you are going to have your little baby next to you. You won't miss the prick. Be safe until then xx

bebeboeuf · 02/04/2019 14:00

Congratulations on your pregnancy op.

I had a rubbish ex who I was with for years who then decided he didn’t want children.

I didn’t get pregnant by him but I left him at 30 with he plan that if by 35 I hadn’t found someone who wanted the same as me that I would go it alone as being a mother to me was more important than having a rubbish partner.

Just because you have a child now doesn’t mean you will be alone

BumbleBeee69 · 02/04/2019 14:09

Your precious Child will fill that home with joy happiness noise laughter and love, most of all LOVE. Flowers

Ribbonsonabox · 02/04/2019 14:40

That's true you know you mourn the relationship you once had... not the one you would have now if you stayed together. Hes been so abusive I dont think anything would rectify that would it... if you had stayed together despite all hes said and done think of how horrific that would be..... it will be hard in the short term but I think in the end you may feel excitement and relief about your future...

Both my pregnancies were unplanned and the first extremely difficult but I have never regretted them for a second. Theres honestly no love like the love you feel for a child especially one you have wanted for so long... and i say that as someone who even went through quite severe pnd with my first and had not even previously ever considered having kids.... theres still no love like it!

I'm glad you have your sisters support.
Stay strong and think of your future with your baby. Flowers