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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

Another cheating husband...please help

56 replies

FirstTimeMum1991 · 21/02/2020 16:47

Hi everyone,
Very new around here and just wanted to reach out for some help.
I am almost 5 months pregnant with my first baby and last week I found out my husband has cheated on me.
I knew something was wrong for around 2 weeks but any time I raised any suspicions etc it was turned back on me. I asked 3 times if he had met or was messaging somebody else and last week just before we were due to go for a valentines meal he finally came clean.
I am absolutely devastated and feel like my entire world has been ripped apart.
Believe it or not I am currently fighting for my marriage, he is very up and down, one minute wanting to fight to be a better husband and father and the next turning it all around on him saying he needs help and needs space.
Am I doing the right thing fighting for my marriage? Crazy I know but I just adore him and cannot imagine life without him. I never wanted to have a baby alone and the thought terrifies me.
I am not really sleeping or eating and also have awful thoughts that when the baby arrives later this year that I will not have a bond with it because of what I have been through.
I’m sorry for rambling on, I am just driving myself crazy. Checking my phone constantly for any little message of hope from him.
Thank you for listening everyone.

OP posts:
FirstTimeMum1991 · 21/02/2020 19:02

Wow thank you. That has really hit me. The truth is often hard to hear right?

I cannot believe I am in this position. I am desperate to gain some strength, I am going to counselling on Tuesday which I’m hoping will help.

I am also going for a scan tomorrow to help me feel more connected to the baby which I’m sorry to say, I have been ignoring for the past 2-3 weeks.

It always gets to this time of night when my heart and head go in to over drive. Feeling like I’m having panic attacks daily.

OP posts:
EKGEMS · 21/02/2020 19:28

Chumplady.com

Konicek007 · 21/02/2020 19:53

I get why you chasing him - cos you love him. Sadly he does not feel same as otherwise he would not cheat!
I was like you once though I was no pregnant.
My ex boyfriend who I dearly loved cheated on me and I was so much desperate to be with him that I told him he can have both of us.
I said I accept that he got someone else and I said I was happy to share him.
I totally cringe now when I even remember this.. how totally totally stupid I was!
I honestly don’t believe I could ever say that’s, but I did.
Please don’t lower yourself to beg him to stay etc.
He should be begging you!

MsDogLady · 21/02/2020 20:38

I’m sorry for your pain, OP.

You need to stop doing the Pick Me Dance and rationalizing your husband’s betrayal. His MH did not cause his abuse of your trust. He chose to lie, cheat, and risk the health of you and your baby. I hope you’ve had an STI test.

His lack of remorse or strong commitment to restore trust indicates the likelihood that he will cheat again when he feels entitled to pursue another illicit ego boost.

If he is still there, I would tell him to leave. You know what he is capable of. Surely you do not want a future full of anxiety and uncertainty. You and your child deserve better than a toxic home.

I hope that your counseling will help immensely as you move through the grieving/healing process.

Astrophyllite · 21/02/2020 20:51

If you leave you will get over it. Your trust will take a hit for a while but you will be fine. If you stay, you will never get over it.

Sittingonthefence83 · 21/02/2020 21:15

LTB

You will most definitely get over this and be stronger as a result. Take each day at a time and don't think too far ahead, you are strong and you're going to be a great mum.

The weight of stone on your chest will get lighter, you just have to trust in your self that you'll get though this. You deserve so much more.

Ryah1 · 21/02/2020 21:16

Right now I would advise separation. Give yourself some space, and as hard as it is, Do not contact him unless it is essential. He has treated you appallingly and he has acted for his own selfish needs.
Now you need think about YOU and your child,

It’s going to hurt, you’re going to cry and be angry and experience a range of emotions. Stick with counselling, it really helps. Force yourself to eat and just think that whatever happens with you and your OH, you will receive unconditional love from your baby and that is such a gift,

BarbedBloom · 21/02/2020 21:20

I am really sorry. Honestly, having a baby can be like throwing a hand grenade into a relationship. In a rocky one, I can't see it ending well. Unfortunately both of you have to work to save a marriage, otherwise you're just dragging out something that is already over

KatySun · 21/02/2020 21:28

I am so sorry, my DD’s dad met someone when she was a baby and I remember it turned my life upside down because I did not see it coming AT all.

I actually really liked being a single parent once I got over the emotional shock. I had a lovely time with DD when she was little, doing lots of things, and she has turned into a lovely young woman. I made the mistake of marrying again which was a car crash, but being a single parent was (and is) fine.

Have you tried any meditation? I like Tara Brach, you can download her stuff for free on her website, and it is good to listen to when anxiety strikes in the middle of the night.

Good luck with the scan Flowers

FirstTimeMum1991 · 21/02/2020 22:50

Wow I am overwhelmed by everyone’s messages and even just taking the time to reply.

Seems like the overwhelming response is staring at me in the face, I just hope I find the strength to get through the next few days.

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 21/02/2020 23:02

You don't have to rush into action. Even if leaving is the right decision don't be pushed before you are ready.

Take some time to think about what happens next. Speak to someone in real life. You need support. Don't let him make all this about him.

He's a shitbag. Don't feel sorry for him.

Sorry you are going through this. But you will come out stronger. You will.

TheresGotToBeMoreToLife · 21/02/2020 23:08

Sorry. I dont think hes the one for you anymore at all.

Trust me. You are MORE than capable of doing this alone.

DBML · 21/02/2020 23:17

He wants space - translates to:

Look, I’m really not in the mood to be a husband and father. It all seems like a lot of effort. Going out, shagging around, being free, that’s more me and what I want to be doing. I know it’s a dick move, so I’ll blame my mental health! And then everyone will worry about me and give me a free pass, instead of hating me for being such a ginormous cock. In the long term I do worry it won’t work out, so if you could hang around begging for me back a while, that would help too ...and I’ll let you know...at some point.

Your husband has just joined the cheaters club and is behaving as they all do. The only way to deal with a man who chooses this path, is to get rid for good.

You’ll be ok. You’ll be better than ok. You won’t be worrying where he is, who he’s with. You will have a beautiful baby.

I’m not saying it won’t be hard for a while, but there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel 💐

SleightOfMind · 21/02/2020 23:20

I’m so sorry he has done this to you First.
What a horrible man.

It’s not your fault and you can’t put things back to the way they were by trying harder or being more supportive.

Please take the advice of everyone here and ask him not to text or call you for a week while you sort out what you need.
Otherwise you’ll run yourself ragged trying to second guess him.

Tell people you trust to care for you what has happened and get some rl support from them.

Many people have MH issues. They don’t treat their loved ones like dirt unless they are also arseholes.

PeppermintPasty · 21/02/2020 23:27

I’m another one who sounded very like you. My ex was a horrendous cheat, cheated on me loads of times (it all came out at once). Even then I forgave him and tried to work it out. Short story-massive mistake, fast forward to YEARS later (don’t waste bloody years on him like I did) and I kicked him out...best decision EVER. My ds was around 5 and my dd was around 2. They’re now 13 and 9 and he’s not bothered with them for 7 years (loads of other issues with him stealing off us, being violent etc). They are THE best children, happy and well adjusted. You will be fine, honestly.

beenwhereyouare · 21/02/2020 23:28

Don't worry about not bonding with your baby! This awful, heartbreaking thing he's done to you? He's done that to your unborn child as well. He's betrayed you both and made sex with someone else more important than his family.

And he's continuing to hurt you both with his wishy-washy behavior now that you know. Anyone who wanted to save his marriage, even someone with serious MH problems, would be thankful for the chance to fix things with his wife. Instead, your husband won't take responsibility or do anything to indicate he's serious about repairing your relationship.

The way he's treated you both will make a permanent bond between you and your child. My father walked out on my mother during an argument 3 weeks before I was born. And didn't come back. When he finally came around when I was several weeks old, he claimed he'd been in the hospital and then recuperating at his favorite aunt's who convinced him to go out with friends because he was so sad. When my mother was in labor he was out drinking and dancing with other women. And worse.

My mother said as he'd been too sad to come back for his baby's birth, he could turn right around and go back to his aunt's. That she and I were getting along fine without him and we didn't need him. And then she divorced him within the year. She got busy making a secure life for me and wouldn't let herself look back. She loved me so much that I didn't miss what I'd never had. Mama said every time she looked down at me sleeping she knew she had the best part of him right there. That for that first year I was her world. When I had my own children I realized how hard and scary that must have been for her; how easy it would've been to take him back. At 22, she understood that his priority was never going to be her or me, and didn't give him the chance to hurt us again.

Both you and that baby deserve so much better than you've gotten. As long as you try to hold onto the chance of "fixing" your marriage you're missing the opportunity to give yourself and your child a home filled with love and trust. A home without worry over what he's doing every time he's late, or whenever his mood changes. No more weird atmosphere where you know something's wrong and he won't admit it. You've had that. Give yourself a life free of panic attacks, stress, and ever-worsening self-esteem. You're carrying the best part of him. Make that child your world.

I'm sorry for what you're going through, and I wanted you to know that my mother is my hero. She's 82, I just turned 60, and there's still so much love between us. There will be between you and your child as well.Xxx

theneighbourswindchime · 21/02/2020 23:31

Is he still living at home?

Is the affair over?

Please don't be too hard on yourself, your body is swimming in hormones, your baby will be fine and will be the thing that gives you the strength to get through it!

You will hold it in your arms and think "I'm going to love you twice as hard because your daddy chose excuses and another woman over you"

And you will.

Your bond will be twice as strong

Xxx

FirstTimeMum1991 · 21/02/2020 23:48

I have been away for a week and returning tomorrow and he is staying with a friend.

I do have lots of rl support, my family and friends haven’t left my side, why is it I only want my husbands support though?

I dread going to bed because I can’t sleep.

I’m sorry to go on and on...

OP posts:
Fantasiaa · 21/02/2020 23:54

I’m so so sorry. What’s he done is horrific.

I fully get why you want to “fight” for your marriage. You have a child on the way and nobody wants to begin motherhood a single parent. I fully understand that. It’s easy for us to say leave him because we aren’t in live with him.

You can’t fight for a marriage by yourself. It doesn’t get much worse than cheating on your wife when she’s pregnant and then having the audacity to ask for space!

Shinesweetfreedom · 22/02/2020 00:01

You go on and on girl as much as you want.
Get it off your chest x

DBML · 22/02/2020 00:09

You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. This is the perfect place to go on and on 💐

SallySun123 · 22/02/2020 00:33

He has massively destabilised you at a time when you need him the most. Put your energy into lining up help from supportive friends and family that you trust and love ready for when the baby comes. Can you have a family member come stay when baby arrives or go and stay with family? This guy needs to be out of the picture so you can concentrate on yourself and the baby.

SallySun123 · 22/02/2020 00:35

Warm baths, yoga, relaxing music etc to try and sleep. Whatever works for you. Try not to panic, you’ll be a great mum and you’ll love your baby more than you’ll imagine.

janaus50s · 22/02/2020 00:39

Can you suggest counselling. If it’s worth saving, this may help.

dogmama · 22/02/2020 01:13

@beenwhereyouare love your story, inspiring.. OP this is so sad, you'll be devastated but you can do this!

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