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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:
Kko1986 · 28/03/2019 21:26

Please follow your heart and not his. You have wanted this for so long and you don't need him you will end up hating him if you terminate on his word.

You will make a fine mum.

LavenderFairyrunswild · 28/03/2019 21:27

This is your chance.

The first 3 years as a single mum will be hard and lonely.

Then suddenly your child will be sleeping better, have more independence and you will really enjoy what they bring to the world. More than anyone or anything.

It's the best and hardest thing you could ever do, and it sounds like you are all for it.

Tell the man you are going alone.

Write the next 3 years off in your head. You will be exhausted and a mess.

Then get ready for something wonderful.

LordNibbler · 28/03/2019 21:29

I think if you terminate this pregnancy you will never forgive yourself. It's a very hard thing to terminate a child you very much want.
This could be your only chance of being a mother. He still has many years left for him to become a father if he changes his mind.
I think you should go ahead and have your baby. It will be hard, and it will change your life in so many ways. When I got pregnant many years ago everyone wanted me to abort, but I wouldn't. Even though I was scared shitless about a million and one things. But you know what, when I held my little girl in my arms and felt that deep deep unconditional love I knew I'd made the correct decision. She's 35 now, and not a day goes by that I don't thank God for her. She changed my life and made me a better person. Good luck OP, follow your heart and don't listen to your partner. He has his own selfish agenda. I'm sure this is the beginning of a whole new wonderful adventure. Flowers

MissBPotter · 28/03/2019 21:29

Did he have sex with you? Presumably unprotected. Therefore he consented to the pregnancy. He is a twat. He may be entitled to his view but that doesn’t mean he can pressure you do have an abortion you don’t want.

Justonemorepancake · 28/03/2019 21:30

He thinks it's not a big ask to terminate this pregnancy because I'm pro-choice
He is not understanding what it means to be pro-choice. It does not mean you are happy to terminate a much longed for baby. and because it's come at such a bad time in the relationship
Terminating a baby will never improve your relationship. It is not a cruelty to raise a child in a single parent family.
and because 'it proves I can get pregnant' so it can happen again in future.
It proves no such thing. You have known difficulties conceiving and this might be extreme luck this time. You can't count on being lucky again.

Sitdownstandup · 28/03/2019 21:31

You both consented to the possibility of pregnancy when he ejaculated in your vagina.

ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule · 28/03/2019 21:32

Just because you're pro-choice doesn't mean he gets to force your hand. That's horrendous. I'm pro-choice, but that doesn't mean some guy gets to hold that over me to tell me what to do with my body. In fact, it means exactly the opposite. He's emotionally blackmailing you in so many ways, it's awful and you don't deserve it. I'm so sorry he's putting you through this.

Darayan20 · 28/03/2019 21:37

You will be just fine without him keep the baby it's such a joy kids are a gift your heart will explode from love and you won't need anything else as long as you have your baby next to you screw him AngryAngry

tomhazard · 28/03/2019 21:40

I think you want the baby - and fwiw I think as you've had trouble conceiving in the past and you're 34 then if you want it then you should. Your baby will be loved by you and that's the most important thing never mind what your DH does.

I fell pregnant with my DD when I'd not been a relationship for that long. I knew in my heart of hearts that I couldn't terminate even though my DP was freaking out and saying he adamantly didn't want to have a baby. I understood his position and said he didn't have to stick around, but I was going to proceed with the pregnancy as I was too upset about any other scenario. (I am also pro choice btw) he stuck around and the second DD was born he was completely in love with her and couldn't believe there was a time he didn't want the baby. That was 8 years ago and we are married with two more now. Things will work out or they won't with you and your DH (he may change his tune!) but you will love your little baby because s/he is wanted by youThanks

YouBumder · 28/03/2019 21:41

He was having unprotected sex with you. He “consented” to the pregnancy when he agreed to do that. He’s a big boy, he knows how it works!

He does not have “rights”. You do because it’s your body. He sounds horrible frankly and you’ll be better away from him.

Sitdownstandup · 28/03/2019 21:41

You're pro choice so that means you should have a termination is one of the more impressive logic leaps I've seen in my time.

picklemepopcorn · 28/03/2019 21:43

Wait a minute.... he's stressed? And your parents "will be quite crtiical of me getting into this situation "??

You haven't got into a situation. Your DP has walked out on you with no warning, despite or because you are pregnant. That is not something you have 'got into'.

"he'll be seen as 'scum'. I feel like I have enough to worry about without worrying about that, but it feels big to him" it's all about him, not a thought in there about you, what will happen to you, how you feel.

Your child will be absolutely fine, even if the dad is an idiot. Better now than later.

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 21:44

ZeldaPrincessofHyrule
I'm pro-choice, but that doesn't mean some guy gets to hold that over me to tell me what to do with my body. In fact, it means exactly the opposite.
Thank you for this timely reminder. I would describe myself as a staunch feminist but I feel so worn down by all the guilt - from him and from me - that I was not able to hold this in mind when he said it.

OP posts:
Darayan20 · 28/03/2019 21:49

Don't stress your self your baby may feel it and it's not fair you can do it all by yourself and your little one will give you the strength to face everything

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 21:49

tomhazard
Thanks for sharing your story, it's such a lovely outcome I fear I have to file it under 'unlikely to happen to me' but I'm so glad it worked out for you and your children. I more understanding for a man who freaks out at a pregnancy very early on in a relationship than I do for my partner after 9 years. I know deep down that his behaviour is probably unforgiveable but there's still a part of me that wants to understand and help to contain his anxieties and fears so that this baby can have two parents.

OP posts:
applesarerroundandshiny · 28/03/2019 21:53

I think that if you were to terminate your pregnancy because this is what your partner wants and not you, then you will come to resent him, and your relationship will be over anyway.

It seems that you have spent a long time wanting to be pregnant, and now you are. Given your previous difficulties you may not get the chance again.

HeyCarrieAnneWhatsYourGame · 28/03/2019 21:53

Please don’t terminate. It’s very clear that that’s not what you want. Your partner/ex partner is a scumbag. Fuck him. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 21:55

picklemepopcorn
You haven't got into a situation. Your DP has walked out on you with no warning, despite or because you are pregnant. That is not something you have 'got into'.

Thanks for saying this. I suppose I have been brought up in a religious house with the idea that children should come afer marriage. My mother was not particularly happy me with cohabiting. I (inwardly) rejected her ideas as out of date and felt that having children was much the bigger committment of the two, so didn't feel strongly that I need a wedding before trying to conceive. I fear my parents will see my current situation as a consequence of me having gone my own way (unlike my siblings who married quite young, in church, and before children). Although, I do know that marriage is no guarantee of your partner not suddenly leaving, as several posters on this thread have demonstrated.

OP posts:
tomhazard · 28/03/2019 21:55

It's not your job to contain his anxiety and fears, it's really not. I know circumstances were different but really I thought my dh would walk: he really didn't want a baby! My mum told me not to spend time reassuring him as I had to look after my own physical and mental well-being first. He would sort himself out one way or another but I needed to look after me and the baby. So here I am passing the advice on to you! Your husband is an adult, not just an adult but one who actively tried for a baby with you for years. You do not need to waste your time looking after him.

ijustdontunderstandher · 28/03/2019 21:56

OP, first of all I’m so sorry that you’re in this situation. But you shouldn’t terminate if that’s not what you want, being pro choice means that you have a choice, and that choice can very well be to keep the baby. The reasons that you give for aborting apply to most parents as well, there’s always a chance even parents in a relationship could die and leave the LO alone, but you’ve said you’ve got family and I’m sure in that case they’d definitley have your DC, so don’t let that be a worry. And also them realising their dad didn’t want them most likely won’t affect them at all, because when they’re old enough to realise, they’ll notice they had a mother who really did. Not giving them siblings also isn’t something you should feel bad about, there’s always a chance that you could and lots of people cope fine as an only child. In your position OP I really wouldn’t terminate, please don’t feel that you have to.

Also sorry if my replies come across a bit jumbled, I’m trying to get DS to sleep whilst typing

Cherrysherbet · 28/03/2019 21:56

Op I won’t pretend to completely understand how this situation feels to you because I haven’t been through the same. I was lucky enough to have a supportive partner. I do, however, know what it’s like to hold a baby in my arms and feel the most I describable love for them. When you experience it, you will just know you made the right decision. You’ve wanted this for so long, and now it’s your time. Don’t let him spoil this for you. You can tie yourself in knots with all the ‘what ifs’ , but in the end all that matters is that you will love and do your very best for this child.

I can tell from your posts that you will be a fantastic Mum. Look to the future with optimism and confidence. It’s going to be a very exciting time for you 💐

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 21:57

Thanks tomhazard. I am really grateful for your mum's advice!

OP posts:
Haffdonga · 28/03/2019 21:58

It seems like we both have rights but they are mutually exclusive.

You both consented to the possibility of pregnancy when he ejaculated in your vagina

This.

Now you are pregnant. It's your body. His rights are no longer relevant to the situation.

And if he doesn't want to be seen as the bad guy by leaving you, how much worse would he be viewed if he forced you to abort a much wanted and miraculous pregnancy. I think you should tell your sister that you are pregnant now.Then he can't 'hide' his bad behaviour from the world.

Carouselfish · 28/03/2019 22:02

You were about to seriously lose - 9 years, then all that trying and he backs out. You'd have broken up and been at square one with nothing to show for it. Then, ha! You won the biological lottery. He's shown his colours so you get to break free of him which is actually a bonus. Many women in relationships with kids feel like they are burdened by their partner rather than supported by them. There are worse situations than being a single mum.

Hubblebubbletripletrouble · 28/03/2019 22:03

If you want this baby, do not terminate - it could well be your only chance, if you have had such difficulty conceiving... Flowers