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Relationships

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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:
HappyHedgehog247 · 28/03/2019 22:08

It's so lovely seeing all these posts - mumsnet at it's best!

I meant to add that the lovely DP I met has children who he has some of the time so even though I haven't been able to have a second, DC now has siblings! As adults, we call them step-children. They just call each other brothers and sisters. Who knows what is ahead for you :)

Noimaginationxyzz · 28/03/2019 22:08

You've had a million messages of support, but for what it's worth I wish I could explain how you mustn't mustn't worry about being a single mum. I've always been and it's really great. We're a family of 2 and we're a proper family and my DC has brought me years of fun and joy and amazing friendships with mums and dads over the years, who've sometimes been married, then ended up single. If a traditional family is what you yearn for, heck you could meet someone when your child is young and that would be all they would remember. A pal of mine was single from conception to when her DC was about 7, married and had a baby together and they are such a close family, not step-dad but absolutely 100% dad and gran etc.

Your partner's not behaving well. Throw in sleepless nights and a bit of financial strain, are you sure he won't be a complete pain to have around? You could have a lovely, peaceful time enjoying every second with your baby, sleeping when they do, no tea to cook for anyone else, no moods to dance around. Honestly, it will be brilliant!

C0untDucku1a · 28/03/2019 22:10

Nothing new to add. Just echoing everykne else. He is a dick. You'll be great as a single mum. Photocopy wage slips if theyre lying around ready for cms... i see him being difficult. No crystal ball needed.

Amy326 · 28/03/2019 22:13

I would not terminate in your situation. You may never get another chance and you want to be a mother, I think a termination in this set of circumstances could lead to regret for the rest of your life. You can do it alone if you have to, many do. Your husband may come round in time anyway, it’s fair enough if he doesn’t want children (though he sounds scared more than anything) but once he meets his child there is a strong likelihood he will fall in love and be happy they are here. Not a guarantee but there’s a strong chance. Either way he will have to support his child financially. Good luck x

howmanyleftfeet · 28/03/2019 22:18

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.

This.

He's not a bad guy for impregnating you while you were both actively trying for a child. That he's changed his mind since is unfortunate, but if he pressures you into an abortion when this may be your last chance to have a child, then that really does make him a bad guy! Don't cover for him. He has to face up to his responsibilities and his behaviour.

An abortion isn't an "undo" button. There is no option "go back in time and not ever have been pregnant" unfortunately (no matter how hard some of us have wished for it!). He's asking you to deal with potentially significant emotional trauma, knowing your situation - so he can save face? Does he understand how low that is?

The priority here should be working out what's the best thing to do. And it's your body, your choice.

His precious public image is not the top priority in this situation, nowhere even close.

Noname99 · 28/03/2019 22:19

I don’t think your partner is a dick Or any of the other vile insults on here. It pretty clear however, that although he loves you, he doesn’t want to be a father. Sounds like he’s been wrestling with this for a while but ultimately, he doesn’t want it.
You do seem to want to be a mother though and, given your history, this pregnancy seems to be a bit of a long shot and highly unlikely to happen again. So although you have a hugely hard decision to make - it’s actually only two options. Terminate the pregnancy AND agree to not have children and stay or leave and then have a baby. It’s down to you but whatever you do don’t terminate hoping he’ll change his mind later on or because you don’t think you can do it alone. You can - 1000’s of people are single parents and manage it every day. You can too!

RubyBoots7 · 28/03/2019 22:26

I'm in a similar position to you age and fertility/ivf wise. I've done a lot of research and have some professionally relevant knowledge. I honestly think if you did terminate this pregnancy you have to do so knowing that it's unlikely you will have another chance. You've had one round and it was unsuccessful. Without a massive turn around I can't see your partner consenting to using your frozen embryos. So you'd have to start again, that bit older and with dropping ovarian reserve to successfully freeze eggs. Then either a sperm donor (so you'd be a single parent anyway) or find a partner who also wanted to try to have kids and go through ivf whilst your womb is however much older.

The comment before about stress. You'd have to be under such intense stress for it to have any effect on a pregnancy. I'm not trying to minimise how shit you're feeling but people have babies in war zones all the time and the babies are fine because it's a myth that general stress affects pregnancy. I'm sure you've heard before oh if you just relax you'll get pregnant. It's not a thing! Please don't thing you'll be damaging your baby. You sound like a very caring and thoughtful person who would be perfectly capable of raising a happy child.

Whether you want to stay with him or not, I wonder if he might come around. IVF is a bit of a headfuck. Though the marriage thing sounds like he is pretty damaged by his own family.

I know several mums who had children in a relationship but the dad was useless and they broke up and now they have partners and blended families. You can meet so many people through having a baby. It's a bit like having a puppy but with less sleep x

Carouselfish · 28/03/2019 22:26

If you're worried about your conservative religious family op, you conceived in good faith,in a relationship, terminating would surely be harder for them to deal with than the breakdown of that relationship? Theyd know there are no guarantees even for babies born to married couples that they won't then be raised by single parents shortly thereafter.
Might sound petty, but go to a baby department in a store. Stand there looking at all the adorable bits and pieces, breathe it in, think 'this is for me now', buy the baby its first toy or blanket and symbolically bring the situation into the real world. I did this as a single mum and it was just such a great feeling of claiming the situation and believing it.

Elaisa · 28/03/2019 22:34

I was raised by a single parent who had a termination (from the same partner, by that time the relationships was on and off) not long before I was conceived. She told me that she knew she couldn't terminate again.

She worked hard while I was young. For the first 10 years I was more with my grandparents than my mom (who were against the pregnancy until I was born) and from there I pretty much grew up by myself. So it wasn't an ideal situation and we aren't as close as a family should be, but I know my mum loves me to the moon and back and we have an ok relationship (currently holidaying together in Italy so it can't be as bad, can it).

As hard as my childhood was, I grew up pretty good if I may say so myself and I have always been glad that I was given the chance to be born. If you are ready to the great life change that becoming a parent brings and think you can do it solo, please do consider to go ahead with the pregnancy even if he won't be aboard.

Dodie66 · 28/03/2019 22:36

So what would he have done if you had got pregnant with the IVF?
Would he have got in a panic then? He agreed to that

BitOfFun · 28/03/2019 22:37

I can't say I've noticed any "vile" insults- no worse than on any other thread on mumsnet anyway. And there's nothing wrong with condemning selfish behaviour. As for staying with him and accepting a life with no children...well, it's not likely, is it, really? The disappointment and regret will undoubtedly overwhelm the relationship. And as another poster has pointed out, it's hardly unusual for men prone to self-absorption to get around to children eventually WITH SOMEBODY ELSE. Sad, but true.

I like the idea of taking ownership of the situation by telling your sister and focussing on your immediate reality: your much-wanted and loved baby.

You can totally do this; from the sound of your posts you'll be pretty good at it too. Good luck!

Shelbybear · 28/03/2019 22:40

Honestly, you know it's not even remotely something you would have thought about. He may have changed his mind but well he was too late in doing so.

In your shoes I would ditch him and keep the baby a total no brainer. Don't live in hope that he will change his mind as it will only make the break harder.

Hope your pregnancy goes well.

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 22:45

It's so lovely seeing all these posts - mumsnet at it's best!
Absolutely. I'm bowled over by all the support and ideas and experiences from everyone. I feel much stronger already.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 28/03/2019 22:46

Hello OP, I became a single mother at 44 when my DS was 2. Different circumtances but one I was forced into for want of a better description. Ex-h suddenly wanted a baby after a long marriage, I didn't. He did all manner of things to ensure I got pregnant and I won't expand further on that. I booked termination when I found out. He told me that if I didn't have the baby he would leave me. I kept the baby and guess what? He left anyway. I have managed perfectly well, despite all the crap that came with it, divorce etc, DS is now 8 and a gorgeous little boy and we have an amazing relationship. His father is barely involved and just a bit of background noise. I will never regret having him. We have the most fun together! I am not your average 50 year old as you can imagine with such a young child and I have had experiences I would never have had purely because of his presence. Ironically, this is the second time I have been left as a single mum. My eldest is now 21, at university and I immensely proud.

You clearly desperately want this baby, he/she was meant to be, I suspect you would bitterly regret a termination (which I would have done too had I gone through with it). You'll manage, you'll make friends, you'll have a different, new and exciting life. What a pity your partner is too short sighted to see how wonderful it could be. You don't need him, you'll be grand on your own!

Also, congratulations! Flowers

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 22:47

Carouselfish
Yes a good point about my parents. That's why I can't really talk to them until I've decided for sure to continue with the pregnancy because I know they are dead against abortions.

I really lke the idea of going into a baby shop and making it all real - but that will definitely be a no turning back moment. But I may be getting there.

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 28/03/2019 22:49

OP... have you seen the thread where the husband has told his wife he's leaving her if she doesn't abort the baby.

They have 5 children at present and he has threatened that he won't have anything to do with the child...it's simply emotional blackmail.

It's very sad such men exist.

I'd be so ashamed if I was the mother of a man like this. I wonder what their family think.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I know you would have wanted things to be different, but this is your chance at motherhood. There are no guarantees in life, except the obvious.

Don't miss out or you'll regret it.

Mummylou83 · 28/03/2019 22:50

Please listen to your heart and not your head. You can tell by your post you want this baby. It’s so so easy to be nervous about the future especially when it’s uncertain and new but I don’t think for a second you’ll ever look at your baby and feel regret however if you go with you DPs wishes I feel you may have regret at one point. I was a single parent shortly after I had my first dc. I was embarrassed at my situation at times but we can’t be responsible for other people’s decisions and I can tell you like myself will put this baby first and it will have everything it needs and more! Families come in all shapes and sizes, so many people out there are single parents, it’s nothing to be ashamed of and you’ll meet many others! I’ve now met a new DP, we have been together 3 years and have a DS. He doesn’t mind that I already had a DC. The right person won’t and that could very well happen to you and who knows you may have more DC but think of the now and don’t worry about the future and please don’t worry about other people’s opinions. They stop you from following your heart as I know I’ve made poor decisions through fear of what people may say or think and I regret them deeply! I liked the saying “when faced with a decision toss a coin in the air. It works, not because it settles the question for you but for the brief moment the coin is in the air you suddenly know what you are hoping for” Flowers

YouBumder · 28/03/2019 22:52

I don’t think your partner is a dick Or any of the other vile insults on here.

I think calling someone a dick who is trying to force his partner into aborting a baby that he had equal responsibility in producing by threatening to end the relationship if she doesn’t, not to mention other manipulative behaviours such as threatening suicide if he doesn’t get his own way is mild, actually. Some people really will excuse all manner of appalling behaviour in men, wont they!

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 22:52

Rubyboots7
Thank you, lots of helpful points there for me to think about.

OP posts:
flirtygirl · 28/03/2019 22:53

I can't believe this is even a decision for you. You went through Ivf, you are 35, you want a child and you never thought it would happen naturally.

How is a termination even on your radar??
He has messed you around with his maybe I don't want children and no I definitely don't want children. This is a man telling you that he does not love you and either way your relationship is over.

If you terminate he will end it anyway.

You need tell him to take a hike and concentrate on having a happy healthy pregnancy.

From your replies on here, you come across as a nice intelligent person. You have a flat and a job and you want this baby. You are strong enough op to weather your family and any disapproval and you are strong enough to be a mother and role model to your baby.

The minute you say to dp, I'm leaving you and keeping the baby is the minute you take back control.

Then for the next 19 20 keep channeling that moment, the moment you took control.

You can fall in love, you may have more children but this baby is here and now.

snop · 28/03/2019 22:54

I would keep the baby, forget about all the other stuff going on. This might be the only chance you get to be a mum, if he doesn't want to be involved you can do it on your own. It will be hard work but better than you spending the rest of your life regretting giving up on your only chance to be a parent .

theprocrastin8er · 28/03/2019 22:55

Dodie66
So what would he have done if you had got pregnant with the IVF?

He says he would have stood by me and tried to make it work, even though he was reluctant, because he accepted he had gone through with IVF. But that this is different because he wasn't ready for this and had decided against having children.

OP posts:
shiningstar2 · 28/03/2019 22:59

You are 35 years old. Even without your history of great difficulty conceiving, you are coming to the stage in life when your fertility rates start going down. Your post reads that you really want this baby.

If you terminate because it is your partner's wish and not yours, this will inevitably change your relationship. If it breaks down anyway after a termination what are the chances of you meeting someone else, developing the relationship and being in a place where you and the new partner want a baby within the next few years? Even if this happens ...how likely are you to conceive again? The chances don't seem that high op.

Ultimately this is your body and your mental health. How will you feel if you terminate when you desperately want this baby? It is your body and you have the final decision to make. No -one should pressurize you either way.

At the same time it's impossible to make your partner willing to parent if he doesn't want to.

I think if you go ahead with the pregnancy, which you seem to want to, it must be with your eyes wide open. It's certainly true that reluctant partners have had a complete turn around after the birth, but you can't depend on this.

If it's what you want, go for it. I think that if you desperately want this baby it's better to go it alone if necessary than lose what might be your only opportunity. Good luck op.

MadeForThis · 28/03/2019 23:02

He sounds like he doesn't know what he wants. Maybe scared? Some people who have awful childhoods are terrified they might replicate it.

No excuses for him.

This is your baby. He can decide later if he wants to be involved. I suspect your relationship is over, unless he does a massive about turn. Don't make any decisions based on your relationship. Decide what you want your future to be. Childfree or not.

It's painfully clear on this post that you want a baby. Well now you have one. Focus on that for a while.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Hope you're feeling ok and not too sick yet.

Try to enjoy being pregnant. 9 months can go fast.

Good luck

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 28/03/2019 23:04

Stupid prick talking about suicide. Happy to have unprotected sex though. Hmm
There have been many other more eloquent posts, OP than mine Grin and I agree with them. Baby will be fine if it’s just you and them. Oh and even if the fickle prick comes round, I wouldn’t put him on the birth certificate. You will need his permission for passport, travel, even schooling if he proves difficult.