Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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:
Slippersandsnacks · 02/04/2019 14:51

I'm so sorry you're going through this.

I would take a moment to think what YOU want in YOUR life and then go from there.

If you want the baby, but your partner won't stand by you or won't be the father figure you want for your child then do it alone. Being a single parent is hard but not impossible.

And just consider, if you did terminate then I think you'd resent him so much that your relationship will slowly dissolve and end. Which may leave you to regretting your decision.

Just take a moment to really consider what you want.

Sending lots of love x

StormTreader · 02/04/2019 14:56

This still all sounds like manipulation from him to me - hes the toddler whos had the tantrum, packed his little suitcase, and marched away down the road, sitting on the pavement waiting for you to run after him and bring him home.
You can bet that shared room house is only rented by the month if not the week.

I bet that if you thought back on it, there were probably a lot of times where he offered to do something you needed or wanted, and there was just some UNFORTUNATE circumstance whenever he was called on it that meant he sadly couldn't actually fulfil it. He was 100% behind you in every theoretical situation where you got pregnant, right up until it happened and he was called on to actually fulfil his promise. It's classic "I know I said I'd help you move house at 5.30am this weekend and you gave me lots of lovely thanks and ego boosts about it but ooooh my back, sorry."

theprocrastin8er · 02/04/2019 15:14

I bet that if you thought back on it, there were probably a lot of times where he offered to do something you needed or wanted, and there was just some UNFORTUNATE circumstance whenever he was called on it that meant he sadly couldn't actually fulfil it.

StormTreader this is uncannily accurate. If you had asked me last year what his biggest flaw was I would have said not doing the things he says he will do. The flat has a number of things he sincerely promised to do / fix several times but never did. It was infuriating and made me a bit cynical of his promises (although I never expected it to be recreated on such a huge scale as this).

OP posts:
Inliverpool1 · 02/04/2019 15:19

My ex husband did exactly same, ivf the lot. I kept the baby, ex adores him denies he ever wanted him terminated etc. it all worked out

theprocrastin8er · 02/04/2019 15:25

PinkBlueStripes
Would you stay in or sell the house?

I've been thinking about this. The flat is on the third floor with no lift, so fairly unsuitable, and is also full of memories of him. But I'm not sure I'm energetic enough for the stress and upheaval of flat hunting and moving all on my own.

OP posts:
theprocrastin8er · 02/04/2019 15:26

Inliverpool1
Thanks for sharing your story and I'm glady it worked out for you. Hard to believe there's seemingly so many men out there that have behaved like this.

OP posts:
theprocrastin8er · 02/04/2019 15:55

Juneau
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.

Thank you so much for writing this, it is helpful to hear it. I'm taking on board everything everyone is saying but I know that ultimately the person that has to live with my decision is me. This thread has made me less afraid, which is finally freeing me up to starting to think about what I actually want.

OP posts:
Haffdonga · 02/04/2019 16:45

Hello Pro
You have so much on your plate right now. Try to take one step at a time. easier said than done and keep being kind to yourself.

Right now the focus is getting yourself through the next 2 weeks of dealing with your relationship ending and your x moving out. It doesn't sound like he's going to make it easy for you. Do you think he's half expecting you to beg him to stay and the move is upping the ante in his emotional blackmail game of chicken?

It's great you can stay at your sisters. Can you book some nights out with friends too or even a trip back to the parents just to pull a bit of your support network round you? Can you book in extra counselling sessions? Breakups are shit. Of course you're devastated. I'm sorry. Sad

Once that's done then it might be easier to focus on yourself and your future and things may feel a little clearer as you live with them.

Mix56 · 02/04/2019 17:14

Of course you can decide to not be a single mother, it wasn't part of the equation when you had tests & tried non stop fo 4 years to make it happen. You thought XBF was going to be father & you would all be living happily together. (although now you can see the pink glow is fading)
Realizing basically you can't live with him now whatever the outcome, if he stays it won't work, you will never forgive him. if he goes it will be over anyway
You & only you can say in your heart of hearts if a probability of a childless future, will make you regret the chance that he took away, (or you chose not to risk alone.) Its not easy.
What a decision to make.
& shit Morning sickness is the pits, but usually only lasts for the first part.

Petitprince · 02/04/2019 18:06

I understand you must be terrified at the moment. I know I was, even though I had had IVF and desperately tried for years before that.
I can only talk about my own experience, but I couldn't visualise being a mother, but the minute my baby was born I realised she was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I shudder now when I think I could have let that opportunity pass by. I have been trying ever since for another baby, but have never been lucky and can't afford another round of IVF.
I wish you all the luck in the world. You can do this OP!

juneau · 02/04/2019 18:37

ultimately the person that has to live with my decision is me

Yes, this is absolutely right. So explore your options. No one is going to force you to do anything, it really is 100% your choice, so you can afford to test out the different scenarios in your head and see which one feels right. And don't feel guilty, whatever you choose. It's your life.

Haffdonga · 02/04/2019 18:56

Very true about the being terrified.

I was lucky to easily conceive my planned and longed for baby but still felt shit, what the fuck have I done? throughout the whole 9 months. I clearly remember being in labour and the midwife telling me just a few more pushes and you'll have your baby and thinking , 'Right in that case I'll just stop pushing then because I'm not sure if I want this'.

I'm very glad I pushed. Wink

Mix56 · 02/04/2019 21:15

Also, remember it is very early days... normally you wait 3 months before announcing....

Daisymay2 · 02/04/2019 22:20

Ummm. If you are going to leave him alone in your flat, make sure you take any important paperwork with you- passport, any details about your flat purchase, mortgage statements, any documents regarding your IVF treatment. Leave it at your sister's place until he goes.
I would take any jewellery and other valuables as well.

Misswontmissdontmiss · 03/04/2019 03:01

OP. I just wanted to tell you a story that may make absolutely no difference to you, but I wanted to share.

I’m going through an awful, shocking break-up of my marriage. In a very dark place mentally right now. I returned to work yesterday for the first time in weeks. The night before that, anxious about returning, I didn’t sleep one wink. At about 3am, really feeling like I was at the depths of despair, I suddenly heard these little footsteps heading to my room.
In came my gorgeous little DD. She hasn’t woken in the night since she was 6 weeks old but for some reason, that night she did. She crawled into bed with me and (without knowing there was anything wrong) just snuggled up to me and stroked my arm.
I thought of you when that happened as it made me realise that your child can be your sunshine and happiness, even when everything else feels like shit. You’ll have struggles, sure, but you’ll also have your own little best friend who will bring you sunshine when you need it most.

Surfingtheweb · 03/04/2019 03:15

I'm a mum, I had my 1st child at 18 by myself, because I made the choice that I had gotten pregnant by accident with a dead beat, so dumped him & did the whole thing on my own. My child is now 20, we have had a great life, ups & downs like everyone else, I have another child too, have been married & done it all the right way & obviously the wrong way. Either way I have 2 great kids that I wouldn't change for the world & being a mum is my greatest achievement (I'm now educated & have a career), & a single mum. Relationships & marriage won't give you guarantees, but being a mum will. I've got unconditional love, pride beyond words & happiness that can't be brought.
If you want to be a mum then keep your baby. If he wants to come along for the ride then great, but it's not essential.

HeyCarrieAnneWhatsYourGame · 03/04/2019 08:25

I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this OP. I never fail to be shocked by how many men are just irresponsible twats. Thinking of you.

ciderhouserules · 03/04/2019 15:59

But I'm not sure I'm energetic enough for the stress and upheaval of flat hunting and moving all on my own. - that's understandable at the moment, -BUT, it will only get harder and less doable to more pregnant you are! Now is the time to think about it, research it, take baby steps towards it.

I asked my mum 10 years ago to sell up and move closer to me - it was 'too much' for her then. Now, at 90, she will never do it. She should def have done it then - don't be like that! It only gets harder. Your own place with you and your little one and no memories of him - would be best for all of you.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/04/2019 16:32

It seems incredibly cruel of him to agree to IVF, then ask you to have a termination.

I haven't really the whole thread, but it sounds as if you are planning on keeping the pregnancy. I agree that with your medical history this may be your only chance; and also I think you would resent him so much if you had a termination that the relationship is doomed anyway.

Take steps now to find another flat (a baby-friendly one!). I think you will be happy in years to come, once the upset from his rotten behaviour has healed.

ImMeantToBeWorking · 03/04/2019 17:49

A family member had her first child just before 40. She wanted a baby so she had a baby. She is a single mother, and the child has never wanted for anything despite having a single parent and no siblings. She is a gorgeous child who the whole family would be lost without.

Do not think for one second you can't do it. There was a lady on here recently who was pregnant with child no. 6 when DH said she would leave if she did not terminate. It is shocking that men can be so evil.

Personally, if my DP turned around to me and told me to terminate or her would leave, he wouldn't have the chance to pack his bags before I had left him.

I hope you are feeling ok!! Flowers

Petitprince · 07/04/2019 13:24

How are you doing OP? I hope you're OK?

tootruetoyou · 07/04/2019 21:40

Have the baby. Children are in your life forever, men/relationships come and go. I am convinced you would regret terminating the pregnancy.

PaintingOwls · 18/04/2019 19:09

How are you getting on?

mrsw2 · 09/07/2019 13:22

This was the first thread I followed on MN , I'd love to know what happened?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page