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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

Partner has someone else's baby on the way

225 replies

Alwaystooproudtoask · 09/06/2022 00:51

So this thread may be long I'm sorry. I've just got soo much whirling around my head, heading may also be a bit misleading sorry. So I met my partner who worked for the same organisation as me (didn't meet there), around 3.5 years ago. I had older children already from a previous relationship that had ended many years ago. Because of this I had accepted when the drs had told me After my last Dds complicated pregnancy I couldn't physically have more, it was very traumatic and both me and baby were not too great after. That was until my partner who I was madly in love with I should probably add, kept raising that it makes him sad we can't have a child together. He didn't have children & it really did affect me that he would have to sacrifice that to be with me and i didn't want to think of life without him or him sacrificing not having the blessing of a child because of it. I probably should add I broke up with someone because of the same issue years ago and he did meet someone and have a child but blamed me for being stuck in a horrible relationship all for the sake that I had pushed him away so he could meet someone and have a child. He said he would have been happy not to have had any children as long as we we're together. I felt awful for lots or reasons about that. But back to partner now , I had started to look into if there was any alternative ways we could have a child together through my drs. I didn't want to get his hopes up so discussed the basics. after some blood tests that came back unexpectedly well and lots of reassurance I was informed I could try and have a consult lead pregnancy due to high risks & that all was very likely to go well given the right care. We discussed this and discussed the news which came with the blow of, I only have around a year to try as I was in the early menopause (no pressure, to process or conceive eh). We hadn't conceived after 7 months. He put it down to me not being able to conceive, and highlighted it did make him sad, when my periods would confirm I wasn't pregnant. I had the mindset that, it also wasn't looking like we would conceive naturally.
we started having difficulties in the relationship, he was great with my children & they really did like him, that's one of the things I really loved about him, including he was amazing with our 2 little doggies. Unfortunately him and my eldest dd( 20 at the time) had fallen out and it had got a bit unbearable, he also had the mindset that he shouldn't have to help with housework as it was for me and the kids to do, as none of it was his mess. I struggled with that being his family upbringing mindset (his mother apologised for that) as he lived alone before me, I had the fantasy illusion of him being a domestic god, a girl can dream.
His mindset and upbringing was so far removed from mine. His family moved around a lot due to work where mine were very grounded. He was always wanting us to move away and start a fresh somewhere, one day Yorkshire, the next Germany. I live near the sea and we're quite happy here but would move if it was a great option. when I first met him I felt he was a deeply intellectual thoughtful, very affectionate guy & I probably was in a much less stable way than I realised. I'd been a single mum for roughly 10years by this point. However, I asked him to leave due to issues with my older dd. he didn't want to leave & wanted me to help him with making the situation better. I didn't have any fight to give at this point, I felt absolutely emotionally drained due to lots of things I guess & I needed needed him to fix it all, I know way too much pressure. The 1st few days without him was fine, I felt fine about our time apart but that was when I realised that's exactly all I wanted, just some time apart. I just wanted him back & by day 6, I had just found out I was pregnant. He had gone to stay with family up north & said he was really happy when I called, I asked if we could see each other but he was putting me off. I've realised I have a terrible habit of pushing people away and then trying to pull them back. The result was I told him I was pregnant via a message. It really sucked but it's how I did it and I can't go back on that unfortunately. When he phoned he was like a different person he was screaming at me to get rid of it and how much he hated me and he'd moved on and wasn't coming back (it was 6days wth) and that I'm on my own if I keep it & that he had never said he wanted a child with me let alone want one & that I was lying about that fact.

I decided to continue with the pregnancy and she's the best thing to happen to our family and we're all absolutely in awe of her. My pregnancy was terrifying, I needed bloods taken every 2 weeks and she needed brain scans in the womb regularly and I was always terrified she wouldn't survive, I'd had 12 years of being told it wasn't possible. She was induced early and spent some time having treatment in hospital due to being born quite poorly, conceiving knowing I was putting her at risk weighed heavily me, even with all the drs reassurance, but we were in it and she's just great and An absolute blessing. Her dad would check in every so often, when I was pregnant until he would tell me how much he hates me and block me off everything. I felt so sad about it and did feel he was behaving that way because I'd hurt him and provoked him with things I'd say. I felt I was the cause of why he was having difficulty regulating his emotions. He asked to move back at one point, as he said he could only be around if we lived together. After the things he had said when he found out I was pregnant I didn't want him moving back in, I felt we had a journey to get through before that. He wasn't at the birth & it bloke my heart he didn't check in let alone be there around that time, even though I was induced earlier than he expected, I was blocked by him and his family at that point so couldn't contact him. I must add I was soo angry that his family blocked me, I had stayed at there's when visiting a couple of times but he said it was him that blocked me of all there contacts.
He decided to arrange a visit when she was around 6 months old. & had a few more visits. I thought things were going well and that it could only be positive for Dd. we talked about what a mess things are but he wanted to move on in a positive direction & me too, I still question if I said did the wrong things to cause him to stay away, he said it hurt him too much and he didn't know how to fix things. It was a journey with my elder children adjusting to him being back around. Then boom he had decided I'd been horrible and hated me and he left and didn't return for almost 7 months. zero contact, even on her 1st birthday, but did send a gift with his parents. the weird thing is I thought we were really getting on. Then one day he just knocked on the door said he'd moved back to the area, as he'd been living about 3 hours away & that he's been working on his mental health and he's here to stay and finally do everything he can to prove he's here to stay. It was such a whirlwind, I was totally swept away and yes I'm pathetic & within 2 weeks I was absolutely back in love again. The children (they are high school uni & above age) we're away and the 1st night he stayed just felt soo special, it felt like we could really move forward & actually be a family. I knew it was going too take a lot for me to let go of heartache from his absence in the pregnancy and 1st yr but our dd was bonding so beautifully with him & I am a pathetic hopeless romantic. Our first night was overshadowed by constant calls in the morning. Long story short it was a girl to say she is pregnant 😔. It's been absolutely devastating again. He is doing to her what he did to me. He said she was just a housemate in a shared house and that she thought she couldn't have children too and she's keeping it for fear of not managing to have another child. She contacted his parents (through fb) but I had inclined to them something was going on, so luckily he had told them prior to the message. He said she suffers with lots of mental health and would have a lot of difficulty managing life with a baby. I told him I don't want anything to do with him if he doesn't do the right thing & support her and the child. I was obviously devastated. When we did speak he informed me she had decided not to go ahead with the pregnancy & his only focus now is me and our dd. It's taken months of feeling like I'm on a horrible rollercoaster, and me and him just trying to move forward. I was always saying he needs to confirm for sure if she kept the baby, well a few weeks ago he has confirmed that he has been speaking with her, I was great full for his honesty and glad he had. she had decided that although she didn't want him involved she wants him to financially support the baby. He said he's ok to do that & that they are only talking to negotiate money. He said it's an issue as she believes she should receive more than me as he's in our dds life. I don't believe him and feel like he enjoys talking to her to get at me. He's started telling me about chats he has with her about me. I have always pushed for him to be involved while hes been adamant me and our dd is all he wants and has the capacity to cope with. I always knew she would keep the baby, so it's not a surprise and it's my Dd sibling an innocent baby. He has me worrying about his mental health a lot, and I tolerate a lot of things & tried not to push him into a dark place, about everything, as he doesn't deal with things well clearly, hes now says I'm manipulative and always put him in a dark place. When I feel I affect my mental health to protect his. Anyway In an argument he blurted that the other girl thinks I'm mad because I questioned him if he had been to visit her when he just went away for 2 weeks to Scotland and to visit his parents where she lives near by to them, I might add he told me while in bed he's going away it wasn't a discussion we had, hence the argument I guess, that he never considers my feelings. I felt that inconsiderate to our relationship. I don't have issues with her for thinking I'm mad, she doesn't know me or I her & I believe he plays mind games with us both now, I do have issues with him discussing our private relationship with her, especially when he says he isn't going to be in her life & she apparently doesn't want him to be in hers & it's simply about money. I actually feel an idiot hearing myself as I read this and can't believe I'm caught is an insane situation like this. I am also aware I can quite easily and happy live life without him as I've had to do that more times than I care to remember. I asked for some time out the other day and he has sent me awful messages telling me how manipulative I am and that no wonder I've never been able to keep a man. I think I've unfortunately just not made great choices and probably do have to work on myself quite a lot, I was doing just fine when he was absent for the 7 months, my issue was more about will he ever re-appear.

The current situation is he's now saying im preventing dd from having a relationship with him. This is because he's decided he doesn't want to see her at my house or have her at his & also won't take her out without me there. He wants us to meet weekly for walks (a bit of a drive away too) and coffee. I just don't want to push myself to do that, especially when the probability of rain is high and I don't have much time for this, especially as I do everything alone. I work and am a busy single mum of a toddler. He says the alternative is we be together but I feel like I have no trust and he's playing emotional games with me and this girl. He's now saying as I've been writing that he will probably be in the child's life, I am happy about that, I'm just so sick of his swapping and changing his mind and getting angry with me for addressing that. I'm sorry for all this rant, my brain is pounding. I can usually walk away so easily but the pull he has on me is quite literally soul destroying and really a bit concerning now. I'm guessing my character my get questioned here but I don't mind maybe I need some harsh truths. My family hate him (bar my children), but they don't see him just hear my stories and I do have friends who seem to promote us being together. So I'm so conflicted & he tells me I'm the problem soo much and he loves me deeply but in the next breath he hates me. I can't decide if I'm in an abusive relationship or if I'm the emotionally abusive one? ☹️

OP posts:
MindYourHeadDoggy · 09/06/2022 01:01

That wall of text was really difficult to read so forgive me if I’ve missed key info, but my thoughts are-

you’re settling an exceptionally low bar for your poor child/children.

you need to get an STI test if you haven’t had one already.

CrapBucket · 09/06/2022 01:03

Christ on a bike this is a terrible relationship, get rid, move on.

RhiRhi1996 · 09/06/2022 01:04

Although it seems you do have a tendancy to push people away, perhaps to avoid getting hurt? , he does seem like a red flag. Unstable, untrustworthy, dishonest..

I think it's wrong he is telling this other woman anything about you, and if he is saying this other woman thinks your crazy, it's probably because he is making you out to be that way.

I do wonder what the full story is with this woman if he is being honest about what is going on.

It's hard to know for sure from one person's account of the situation but he seems like a headache and that it's a rollercoaster to be with him. Also shitty father that once you're broken up he doesn't bother with his daughter.

I don't think I would be willing to be with someone who could throw me away/treat me like shit then suddenly pick me up again like nothing happened.

Alopeciabop · 09/06/2022 01:34

Wow. This guy must be a bloody sex god! Hung like a donkey I imagine. Is he? Because how on Earth he’s managed to get not one but TWO woman to put up with his revolting behaviour beggars belief.

ProfessorFusspot · 09/06/2022 02:06

... he also had the mindset that he shouldn't have to help with housework as it was for me and the kids to do, as none of it was his mess... Unless he's a robot and thus never eats, sleeps, bathes, stands, sits, uses the loo, or walks on the floors in the house, this sounds unlikely.

Also, it sounds like he either has serious MH issues he's not dealing with or is just a massive lying, gaslighting arsehole. Either way he's making you miserable and treating you like crap. Stop letting him. Yes, he'll unfortunately likely be in your life because of your shared child (who he didn't want and demanded you abort) but you can keep contact to a minimum.

Shedcity · 09/06/2022 02:18

Jesus Christ op
get better friends if yours are saying you should be together

how are you taking on so much for grown men
the first one has you guilty
I felt so sad about it and did feel he was behaving that way because I'd hurt him and provoked him with things I'd say.
and somehow the second loser has you blaming yourself too.

as pp said, is this guy unbelievable in bed? Because I have got NO idea what you see him. He’s a dick. He’s rude to you. Fell out with your dd. Terrible father. Manipulative, nasty, aggressive.

Ponderingwindow · 09/06/2022 02:34

This is a terrible, unhealthy relationship. You need to have much higher standards.

paying for his progeny keeps him out of the deadbeat hall of fame, but he should want to be an active involved father. His parenting should never be contingent on his romantic relationships. That he is even thinks that is a reasonable consideration means he is not worthy of keeping around. (Plus his proven history here, this man is awful)

mathanxiety · 09/06/2022 03:13

I am a pathetic hopeless romantic

You need to paint this in huge letters on the wall of your sitting room, your kitchen, your bedroom, your bathroom, and all the way up your stairs if you have stairs. It's the kindest possible interpretation of your approach to this man. There are versions that are less kind. He has played you, and you have welcomed him with open arms.

Slap yourself really hard in the face every time you think this man might bring happiness into your life.

If you are able to do it legally, change the locks to your home. Ask your landlord to do this if you rent.

Block this useless waste of space on your phone and all SM and NEVER let him into your life again.

And you need to get yourself STD tested as soon as possible.'

Concentrate on the child and on your older children.

GatoradeMeBitch · 09/06/2022 03:18

This bloke sounds awful in every way. He's clearly never had to look after himself if he thinks you can live in a house but never contribute to mess. And the stuff around your pregnancy and child, I don't know where to start...

You can do yourself the world of good by stopping with any empathizing and guilt you still have in you for this man. He's treated you horribly and I bet he hasn't lost sleep over it once. Don't think you have to be a human doormat for your daughter's sake, ultimately no-one will thank you for it. If he won't see his child at your house or his, then it looks like you'll have a rest from him for a while.

Whiskeypowers · 09/06/2022 04:08

what a mess
you’re wasted enough of your life on this total cockwomble.

get rid

LunaLights · 09/06/2022 04:24

Your poor children. Imagine having to put up with that shit-show whilst trying to grow up.

AgentProvocateur · 09/06/2022 04:36

The 20 year old DD seems to be the most mature person in this whole scenario. OP, I’m guessing you’ve had a shit upbringing if you’re willing to settle for this poor excuse of a man. I’d suggest counselling.

mydemontoddler · 09/06/2022 04:46

Jesus fucking Christ. Keep this man away from your kids. When he fell out with your dd you should've got rid of him and kept him away. How could you subject your kids to him?

Get legal advice and stop indulging him.

mydemontoddler · 09/06/2022 04:48

AgentProvocateur · 09/06/2022 04:36

The 20 year old DD seems to be the most mature person in this whole scenario. OP, I’m guessing you’ve had a shit upbringing if you’re willing to settle for this poor excuse of a man. I’d suggest counselling.

Hopefully it doesn't effect her further relationships or she has counseling to talk her upbringing through.

KangFang · 09/06/2022 05:15

Mother of god - I can't believe what women put up with and what they think is ok.

I feel sorry for your kids.

stuntbubbles · 09/06/2022 05:15

Gave up reading the wall of text when I got to the part where he argues with your 20yo daughter and doesn’t do any housework, so not sure what the issue is, but LTB/don’t go back to TB/whichever is relevant.

sjxoxo · 09/06/2022 05:16

Honestly op I think you should try counselling. Your standards are abysmal and this is going to be so negative for your children, to witness this complete dysfunction… please cut this man off, go no contact and focus on healing yourself. I get the impression you have also probably witnessed severe dysfunctional relationships perhaps your parents but this isn’t normal or healthy. Good luck x

Snowraingain · 09/06/2022 05:25

Short reply to your long post.

He is awful, he was always awful and will forever be awful. So walk away. No coffee and no negotiations. AWFUL

Hollipolly · 09/06/2022 05:37

Think of your older children OP. Get a child arrangement order and contact CMS.

I don't think you should of even tried for another baby but as you say she's here now.

fUNNYfACE36 · 09/06/2022 05:46

I felt exhausted just reading that! He's no good, blowing hot and xold all the time and stringing you and this other woman along .Go cold turkey, zero contact or he'll keep on doing it again and again

Katya213 · 09/06/2022 06:27

He doesn't love you, it's you that should get over that.

Aprilx · 09/06/2022 06:41

The wall of text was so hard to read, I may well have missed important points. But I have to agree with everyone else, your standards are too low, this chopping and changing is destabilising for your children. If you cannot find enough respect for yourself to get rid of this excuse of a man, then please do it for them, they do not deserve this. My childhood wasn’t great for different reasons, at least I can look back and think it was at least stable and the adults weren’t coming and going.

Aphantasia · 09/06/2022 06:42

Christ, get rid woman!

he’s the manipulator, stop torturing yourself and go do the freedom programme with woman’s aid.

do your dd a favour and don’t let her model her future relationships on your dysfunctional one with this abusive gaslighting waste of skin

BlueSuffragette · 09/06/2022 06:48

OP raise the bar. It is a very unhealthy relationship. You DD had it right. Move on. Concentrate on you and your children.

GrazingSheep · 09/06/2022 06:51

Put yourself in your children’s shoes. Would you want to be living their lives? I bet you wouldn’t. Get rid of him.