Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

Pregnancy & abusive toxic relationship. HELP :-(

45 replies

jemh95x · 09/08/2021 02:19

Hi ladies,

Apologies in advance - this is a bit of a long one but I really don’t know where else to turn.

I am at my wits end at the mo and really needed to reach out to a non biased audience. I am 25 years old, just bought my first house (on my own) & have been in an on/off relationship for 14 months. I am currently 5 weeks pregnant (I found out 2 weeks ago).

I moved into my first house 6 months ago which I worked so hard for to save and buy - which I am really proud of. It’s a new build so all completely freshly decorated / perfect condition. (This point will make sense later on). Not once has he ever said ‘congratulations’ all he says is “anyone can get a mortgage” “you basically have a house on finance - you don’t really own it until your mortgage is paid” / “you have a sad life if your proudest accomplishment is buying a house.” / “There is no way you could afford this house you must be partaking in sex work to have paid for it” (ludicrous - not that there is anything wrong with sex work, but I find it offensive that someone would not believe that I have been able to save long and hard through a legitimate career and two businesses I set up during lockdown to which neither the career or businesses involve any kind of sex work). Too add: he is three years older than me and lives with his mum. Any of my accomplishments he tends to put down, he didn’t believe I could afford a brand new Mercedes (it’s on finance) and accused me of having another boyfriend who had bought it for me?!

The day I found out I was pregnant was the day I had decided to go back on the pill as I had a gut feeling having a baby with this person was the wrong decision. Although I am in a good position to have a baby myself, my own car / house / financial freedom - I wanted to make sure it was the right person I was bringing a child into the world with. My partner has been showing plenty of red flags which stupidly I chose to ignore.. Although it was too late to change this decision as I was already pregnant. The day I did find out I didn’t really feel anything I wasn’t happy and I wasn’t sad I felt a bit numb. Hours later we were on a trip to IKEA, I had chirped up a bit and I put a playlist on with songs from when I was growing up as a child.. singing along to them in the car and dancing away being silly I was laughing to my partner at how as kids we would actually like these songs .. my OH completely snapped and screamed “Are you trying to take the P out of me what are you hiding?! What are you laughing at? Why are you singing and dancing?” He said some other pretty hurtful stuff and was just genuinely mean to me and it felt like he hated seeing me in a good mood.

In the last few weeks he calls me multiple times a day and says ‘who are you with?’ And will repeat himself around 6-7 times until he tells me you should be saying ‘don’t be so stupid I love you the world I would never cheat on you’. To which I tell him.. why on earth would I say that to a person who puts me down every day by constantly telling me I am the one cheating. He will then ask why I am so out of breath (my anxiety is through the roof every time he calls me that is why) and say degrading things to me and accuse me of sleeping with someone throughout the day. Which I am not. I cannot remember the last time he didn’t accuse me of being with someone else whilst I am on the phone to him / sleeping with someone else whilst he is not there. I am literally drained with the accusations and it makes me feel like I will never be able to win because if he thinks I’m un-loyal when I am being completely loyal and honest then I have no hope.

Anyway that is scratching the surface with the issues faced in the last week. Now it seems I have some context as to why he is so adamant I am cheating.

One week ago, I found out that he has had two relationships behind my back (or actually behind their back as one relationship he has been having had been going on for 8 years). Both have been for the full duration we have been together. There were also other instances I have found out about such as texting / calling up to 15 other women. A common theme is that the majority of women he has been trying to pursue are 10+ years older than him or girls that look the complete opposite to me. (Where do men find the time???). A further instance I found out about was him stopping women in the street asking for their phone number and continuing to text them. He’s also had 1+ hour long phone calls with an ex girlfriend whilst knowing I was pregnant. He has denied everything and offers no explanation to any of the multiple women’s claims about him as there is no photo/video evidence. Even when presented with screen shots he has done everything possible to evade admitting the truth. I had seen a couple messages come up on his phone screen and he completely denied it and said I must be seeing things.

We have argued over it and some pretty hurtful things were said about both of our personal appearances. (I feel mine was slightly justified due to finding out about all of the cheating) however I should never have lowered myself to that level but I did. He can get pretty aggressive and shout loudly and often threatens to ‘throw me in a river’ and I worry about what the neighbours will think so I shut myself in one of the bedrooms and sat behind the door to stop him from getting in. I just wanted the shouting to stop and for him to phone a taxi to leave. He barged through the door and bent down over me laughing at me and telling me how it’s me who is the liar and it’s me having the affair and came out with some completely fabricated scenario and person of whom I have never heard of in my life. I was on my laptop as I work from home about to go into a really important meeting with all of my boss’s that I had been preparing for, for weeks - so this was the last thing I needed. Next minute he pulled me by my hair which twisted my neck. Automatically I used my hand to push his face away from me and get him off me - to which he released his grip and put his hands over his face like it was me who had been violent?! I tried to phone the police at this point and he wrestled me for the phone and threw it at the wall (the fourth hole he has made in my wall - my freshly perfect new build house that I am so protective over and love so much). I told him I would open the window and scream for help and he raced me to the window and nearly snapped my fingers trying to stop me from opening it. Then my work laptop was taken off me and threw. He continued to laugh and berate me and lean over me like I was some kind of attraction at a zoo. He then phoned his friend and made up a completely lie that he’d just caught me sleeping with his friend and got his friend to slate me down the phone then both of them laughing at me. During this whole situation my dog who I adopted from a rescue 3 months prior was cowering under my desk which made me feel physically sick. I managed to join my meeting and He then proceeded to smoke cigarettes and joints inside of my house (when I constantly tell him not too) knowing there was nothing I could say whilst I am in this important meeting. Once my meeting ended he switched and was telling me how much he loves me and wants to make it work and to stop believing other people over him (apparently all 15 women have a reason to lie and it’s because they want him and can’t have him - LOL). At this point I just wanted him to leave my home so I went along with it and he called a taxi to go home. Once he was gone I locked all of my doors and text him to tell him how I really felt about the situation… Q the 27 missed calls and 100’s of messages about how I’m putting him through an emotional rollercoaster and I’m playing mind games and I’m mentally ill and need help and that I have a sad life / fat / ugly / will mess up every relationship I have in the future / I’m lying about being pregnant / the babies probably not his.

The whole time I just feel like I want my mum which is a horrible guilty feeling knowing that my family would be devastated if they knew how I feel. I also want to protect my dog (as silly as that sounds) he is always so scared and timid whenever OH is around because all’s he does is shout. I feel so guilty that I have adopted a rescue and he is now having days of fear in what should be his happy forever home. Now on top of that I have a foetus in my tummy that I feel guilty over to bring into this world with that excuse for a dad and the situation I am now in.

Right now I couldn’t think of anything worse than to have a baby with this person and I do not want to be tied to him for life. He has phoned me nearly 100 times today with comments like “Watch what I do to you if you get rid of my child” “Don't you dare take this baby away from me” (I have never mentioned anything of the sort). Now I feel trapped like I am forced to keep a baby because of what he may do if I don’t. If I go to the police I have no proof of what he is doing except for a few audio recordings of some pretty nasty shouting - but I am scared he will turn it back on me or that the proof wouldn’t be enough. He said if I send him back to prison he will get a gang of his mates to turn up to my door and put me in the boot of a car and it will not be left if it ends up with him back in prison.

My family know nothing about how he is with me and would be devastated if I had a baby to someone like him. Am I wrong for wanting to get a termination? Should I be going to the police? I feel ashamed that I even associated with this type of person and regret it more than anything in my life now. I want to move on with my life without him but how can I if I have his child? I feel like it would be so much easier if I wasn’t pregnant which I feel so guilty saying. I am completely confused and stuck what to do next. I am hoping I can get some unbiased advice from an outside point of view please Sad

Thanks xxx

OP posts:
HerMammy · 09/08/2021 02:28

Police and women’s aid. Personally I would not have a child with this person.
You need to tell your mum, get support.

HPmagic · 09/08/2021 02:33

Hi op

This sounds like a really horrible situation. Firstly is it 100% an abusive relationship that will continue to get worse. I would make a note of everything that has happened to date and think about reporting to the Police for now but state you don't want to make a complaint as such. I would also get some cameras from Amazon to put up at your home. Make sure he does not have a key to the house. I would also seek advise from a domestic abuse charity to discuss your options and ways to keep yourself safe.

I understand at the moment you feel trapped but you have options. Have you thought about disclosing this to your Mum for support, maybe go and stay with her for a bit after ending the relationship.

What are your thoughts on the baby. It sounds like if you have a child to him he will not be safe to be around a child. You will spend years in court fighting custody, financial implications and ongoing abuse. Are you prepared to withstand this long term. If you decided to end the pregnancy you can state to him that it was a miscarriage and stick to that, he cannot prove otherwise.

You need to dig deep and find all your strength to end this now which I know will be so difficult. Please contact someone for support and to discuss further in real life. You do not have to put up with this horrible person. You have a way out even if at present you do no feel that you do.

Hopefully some posters will come along with better advice op

romdowa · 09/08/2021 02:36

I strongly echo pp , you need a dv service , the police and to tell your family what is going on. This guy is toxic and abusive and you need to get rid of him before he hurts you.

Sakurami · 09/08/2021 02:42

Yes op, you need help. And I wouldn't want to have a baby with this man.

AgentJohnson · 09/08/2021 06:32

Urgh, not inflicting this man on a child could be the most selfless thing you could do. Call the Police and report his harassment, then seek counselling to understand why you ignored the red flags.

Neolara · 09/08/2021 06:47

I would not have a baby with a man like this if I had an option not to. I'm sorry. He sounds absolutely horrendous and I don't think is going to get any better.

LeeHarper5 · 09/08/2021 07:13

Please, please tell your Mum and the police. Start logging everything single thing he says and does. Reading your post gave me the chills and you must be terrified. Don’t tie yourself to him for a minute longer.

Amijustagrump · 09/08/2021 07:45

Police and womens aid, I'm so sorry OP and sending you flowers.
Take the pregnancy as a seperate issue and decide what is right for you, Marie stopes offer free counselling which might be good in your position Flowers

Bananalanacake · 09/08/2021 09:30

Can he be arrested for damage to your home. Thank God he doesn't live with you.

Nextchapterofmybook · 09/08/2021 09:34

Personally I wouldn’t have a baby with Theo person as you’ll be tied to him for the rest fo your life. You are young and you’ve got plenty of other opportunities. Good luck OP Flowers

Catnuzzle · 09/08/2021 09:39

I was in your shoes 22 years ago. I terminated. No regrets (other than getting myself involved with him in the first place). I saw it as doing the most positive thing I could do for my unborn child. That living a life with a father like that would have been traumatic and it would have meant a life time of abuse for both of us. Please get support and extricate yourself from your abuser. Wishing you all the best.

SometimesMaybe · 09/08/2021 09:52

You need specialist help. Tell your folks, speak to DV support. If you decide to have a termination just tell him you miscarried. He (and no-one else) needs to know.
You sound like an amazing, clever, ambitious woman who has achieved so much in her life already. Please don’t loose sight of who you are.

Cruisemax96 · 15/08/2021 07:00

Hello, I felt so compelled to reply to this after googling my own situation when your post showed up in my search results. I too am 5 weeks pregnant to a toxic partner who I’ve only been dating for 5 months. In this space he has been verbally and emotionally abusive towards me but then soon after love bombs me and manipulates me into thinking that everything is okay between us and that we can be happy. He’s not laid a hand on me but is incredibly narcissistic and manipulative. He already has a child who he sees barely once a week and is not very involved. However I am feeling the exact same emotions as you, i would love nothing more than to have a happy pregnancy and a baby with someone I love and can rely on, but unfortunately I personally made the decision to terminate. I booked an appointment for Wednesday. It is quite possibly the hardest decision I’ve had to make. All I keep reminding myself of is that I would hate to be tied to this person for the rest of my life. I know he would make any future relationship of mine a nightmare and I definitely do not want a child exposed to him. That and I grew up with a mostly single mother and I know even with support of my family that I’m not emotionally strong enough to do it alone. I wish nothing but the best for you and hope you know that you aren’t alone in your situation right now and there are other options for you. I will have you in my thoughts. Please stay safe

ZealAndArdour · 15/08/2021 07:09

This is one of the most horrific things I’ve read in a while.

Please tell the police and access help from Women’s Aid.

In your situation I would be having an abortion, but I’d tell him I’d miscarried.

I’d also be considering my options to sell my house and move somewhere he’d had no idea about. Or even rent it out and move to a different property for a while.

This man is very, very bad news, he is undoubtedly dangerous and you should take him at his word.

Hulmeert · 15/08/2021 07:10

I'd call the police.

Save any messages from him and your call logs.

They can give him an harassment warning and then if he keeps contacting you then he'll be arrested.

Shoxfordian · 15/08/2021 07:11

Hope you’re ok
Call the police and women’s aid
Seriously consider an abortion as well

AngelDelightUk · 15/08/2021 07:12

Go to the police, they will be able to offer advice. You can’t live like this, just like your dog can’t

Sending love xx

Dashel · 15/08/2021 07:34

If you do have an abortion, you don’t need to tell him that you did. It’s not uncommon to have a miscarriage so early on.

I would talk to your family and get help. I would also change the locks and tell him it’s finished. It doesn’t matter what his friends think of you, he obviously is making himself feel big by putting you down.

If he is like this when he is not even living with you, how much worse would it be if he was there all the time and you have a baby. So personally I would choose to have abortion and cut all ties with him. Otherwise he will be in your life for ever more and potential custody battles, thinking he knows best and throwing his weight around. A clean break sounds best.

Appleofmyeye05 · 15/08/2021 08:48

Oh wow I’m so sorry you’re going through all of this!

If it was me in that situation I wouldn’t be having the baby. The threats he’s making about it you do terminate, will all be false I’d think and I would be reporting him to the police, you’ve got more evidence than you think, jokes in the walls, your neighbours who have heard the violence, texts etc.

I do hope you’re okay it’s an awful place to be. Maybe you should take a break from your house whilst you make your reports and move in with your mum.

I would also look into getting one of them Ring doorbells and maybe some cctv for around the outside of the property xx

Formaldeheidi · 15/08/2021 08:58

Yes, please do not have a baby with this creature. You need to get him out of your life pronto. The first thing to do is call your mum. She may well be devastated but it sounds like she’s also be a huge support. You also need to call the police before things escalate even more.

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 15/08/2021 09:06

Police and women's aid.

Personally there is NO way i would have this child and would be making arrangments accordingly sooner (ie on monday) rather than later.

If you have to mention it say it was a miscarriage ( 1 in 4 early pregnancies are its shockingly common). He cant prove otherwise.

Otherwise run for the hills and fast.

WhiskeyGalore212 · 15/08/2021 09:14

I'm usually quite uncomfortable about advocating a termination, but in this case .....

Just say you had a miscarriage if you have to. They're very common.

He's just going to abuse you for the next 20 years, and I can't imagine him being a decent father.

He's an abusive, cheater who's jealous of your achievements, and is so chauvinist that he thinks women can only get things by selling their bodies.

All the accusing you of cheating and demanding reassurance that you're not- while he's actually cheating, is text book abuser too.

Tulipsandviolets · 15/08/2021 09:25

Christ he sounds dreadful. Termination isn't an easy option but in this case I would have one and get rid of this vile specimen. You sound articulate and nice with your own house good job are young enough to meet a nice chap and have kids later. Definitely cut all contact with this nut job. Good luck xxx

Disneycharacter · 15/08/2021 10:13

I think no matter what you need a termination simply because a baby with this monster would tie you to him forever. That alone would be enough for me, let alone the practicalities of having a baby without support.

layladomino · 15/08/2021 11:45

Oh bless you @jemh95x I don't have anything new to add, but wanted to add my voice to those who have said to tell your family and the police, and to keep any evidence of his threats and poor behaviour. And seek out some therapy to help with your decision regarding your pregnancy. To have a baby with that man would tie you to him in some way for many years to come, it would give him some control over your life, and it would inflict a lousy father on the child. But you need to be happy with whichever decision you take, and a counsellor could maybe help you talk through those feelings.

My best wishes to you op. You will be so much better off without this man anywhere near your life. He is vile, poison, toxic, criminal, mysognistic, abusive, violent - the very opposite of who you would want in a partner or father.

As a parent to DC a very similar age to you, I know I would want you to come and talk to me and to help you solve the problem together.