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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

My husband finds my post baby body unattractive... Where do I go from here?

353 replies

mummabubs · 23/04/2020 15:44

I've put off posting about this on here because I want to somehow keep my marriage and essentially I know my husband does not come across well in this scenario. Will try to balance not rambling and also not drip feeding... Bear with me!

We've been together nearly 7 years, married for 3.5 and have a 2.5 year old DS. We'd always talked openly about our plans for a family even pre-marriage and how that included 2 children. Fast forward to last year and we consciously tried for a second child for 3 months. I sensed DH wasn't OK so asked if it was that we weren't conceiving (we were very quick with DS!) and his response was that he'd decided he never wants to have another child. This really upset me but I've tried to drop it and respect his wishes even though it breaks my heart.

Then last week I felt like something was still not OK with him as he's become very physically and emotionally distant from me. He then dropped the bombshell that he doesn't find my post-baby body attractive. I've got less than a stone on me compared to pre DS but it's all on my tummy and I have loose skin (went to over 42 weeks pregnant so I was huge). He says it's my tummy he doesn't like but doesn't feel like he can ask me to lose weight. He actually cried after saying it and said he feels terrible for thinking it as he didn't think he was shallow.

So now I feel stuck. And devastated. And stuck. I already do a stressful job in the NHS, look after our son and dog by myself 2 days a week and do the brunt of it all the rest of the time. I'm exhausted, I really don't want to exercise. I enjoy food but don't exactly eat a tremdous amount anyway. I was a size 10 pre baby and am now a 12, it's literally the "tummy shelf" and loose skin that's left, part of me isn't sure thay diet and exercise would get rid of it anyway. I don't feel like I should have to change for him... But then what does our future look like? I don't want him to see my body at the moment and don't even feel comfortable snacking in front of him. I know something will have to change but I don't really see at the moment how I can ever fully get past the hurt and trust him not to feel the same if I ever gained 2lbs in the future.

I appreciate the temptation will likely be to fully character assassinate him as he has said something very hurtful and insensitive. However I'm not sure this will be helpful for me to read and is why I've put off seeking mumsnet advice or support, but I don't feel I can talk to people about this in real life either. Urrgghhh. ☹️

OP posts:
UnicycleCollector · 16/11/2024 15:46

"He cried"

He is not a man !

He is not a man worth staying together with

How dare he insult the mother of his child

Get angry, you have done nothing wrong

You are a beautiful, strong woman, a mother (goddess)

You do not need a man like him or any man !

mummabubs · 17/11/2024 16:12

Hi, gosh this thread now feels like a blast from the past. Afraid it's only been stirred up by a poster who after going for me on another thread yesterday has clearly decided to search through my older posts and gun for me here too! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Never expected to be replying on this but for anyone who was morbidly curious... we worked through a lot in therapy and outside of this both individually and together. We did have another child and can't imagine life without them. This was definitely the rockiest time in our marriage to date but we have come out the other side and are both very happy together.

OP posts:
pinkyredrose · 17/11/2024 16:19

Great update Op!

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