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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

Scared of PND again - DH’s job

12 replies

sugaryouth20 · 03/07/2022 21:04

I guess this could cover a range of topics!
So pre children my then DP was like a man child almost - leaving clothes and pants all over the floor for me to pick up, I’d be doing all his ironing as well as his work shirts, doing the majority of the cleaning as he’d say he’d need me to tell him how to do it so it was easier to do it myself!

We had our first child which I hoped would see him grow up but unfortunately led to me getting PND as he started a new job as a police officer the week I gave birth, didn’t speak to anyone about it and refused to take any action about being at home for even a few more days so he had 2 days off after DS was born. I remember hysterically crying and begging him not to leave so yeah - trying to recover from birth single handedly, no one around because of COVID lockdown, police shifts, him behaving the same, absolutely got me. They also ended up training them via Zoom which he did in the living room so baby and I had to sneak about half the time.
He told me he would leave the job and was taking some time to job search but nothing ever came of it.

It took him realising how ill I was which was probably after DS was 1 to start to show differences in volunteering to do cleaning and things looked like they’d finally turned a corner. It seemed sustained.

Fast-forward to now, DS is 2, married and I’m 10+ weeks pregnant with baby 2. I’m really struggling this time, first pregnancy was a breeze! He has moved roles but still in uniform as he ‘doesn’t want’ to come out of uniform (the police offer lovely family friendly, non uniform office hours roles..). Some shifts are day shifts and no more nights, but some shifts are still 12-10 (he leaves about 35-40 mins before) which is taking a toll on me and I dread to think how I’ll manage when I get further on.
He seems to think I’m just being lazy for things not being done and me struggling is just passed off as moaning. He had me up until nearly 12am the other night because he wasn’t doing the downstairs cleaning on his own (it was already late before starting), despite me telling him how tired I’ve been lately with pregnancy.
I haven’t been well for 2 days and today he had to take a day off as I physically couldn’t look after DS and no one else. He’s told me he’s really pissed off at me for it, stormed upstairs to the bedroom where I was, slammed the window shut, grabbed the quilt forcefully off me to swing about that hard it swung the lampshade, chucking it back down on me and slamming the door so hard the handle now doesn’t work properly.
He then ignored me for most of the day before coming to lie on the bed without apologising, just complaining that he had been pissed off at me and he was getting bored and frustrated lying here with me when I didn’t have any ‘craic’ and he’d feel better about being there if I did - erm what poorly person is a barrel of laughs?
I’m laid here feeling sorry for myself and pregnancy hormones raging, just wanting to cry. I’m scared these are red flag signs of things to come and I’m going to end up with PND again. I know it sounds ridiculous but I hate his job so much and just wish he had a ‘normal’ job. Or maybe I’m just the bad person and I should be doing more?
Sorry for the rant, I don’t have anyone to talk to 😞

OP posts:
StrangerTides13 · 03/07/2022 21:22

Sounds like a dickhead tbh

sugaryouth20 · 03/07/2022 21:30

So simple but that did make me smile a tiny bit, thanks for that I guess!

OP posts:
Mally100 · 03/07/2022 21:35

Why did you want a second knowing this was absolutely a problem the first time around. He sounds horrible but you knew what to expect.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/07/2022 21:42

I mean, it sounds crap for you but you know he’s not going to change because he doesn’t want to?

What discussions did you have before getting pregnant again about how he was planning to pitch in more and support you better?

The overt aggression and resentment sounds new and isn’t something I’d be prepared to live with. I wouldn’t feel safe at all.

Is it pregnancy related illness that’s making you feel so bad and if so are you getting help if it’s available?

Back to your marriage, it sounds like a triumph of optimism and not much else. You thought he’d stop being a lazy pathetic man child because you had a baby and of course he didn’t. You seem to hope having another baby will help? And it won’t.

So what do you think you want to do?

sugaryouth20 · 03/07/2022 21:43

We had counselling and a long sustained period where things were dramatically different.
I apologise for not being able to predict things would go back and accept this is completely my fault. Sorry for asking people for some support

OP posts:
Honaloulou · 03/07/2022 21:47

He's shown you several times that he's an arsehole. You can definitely predict which way things will go now.

Cliche coming up - you can't change him, you can change your reaction.

Does he make your life better or worse?

NrlySp · 03/07/2022 21:50

Speak to your midwife. If you are experiencing pre natal depression there are ways to help with this.
you DH behaved like and idiot. Not and excuse - could he be worried. It’s hard for men when their wives has Pnd. I had it twice. My DH felt powerless and guilty that he couldn’t do more. He also had a pressure to keep working to support us.
Talk to your Midwife. Also set up some plans for after the birth. Now could you get a cleaner or someone to help with DS 1 - like a teenage babysitter for a few hours in the week. To take the pressure off.

midairchallenger · 03/07/2022 21:50

This is nothing to do with his job and everything to do with who he is. I am fairly sure you posted about him before because I recognise this scenario. I feel sad you're still trying to put up with this shit from him.

By support what do you want? I'm not feeding you more false hope that an abusive prick will change, because he won't. We can support you to begin to explore exiting the relationship if you're ready to consider that?

You're not a bad person and your reaction isn't hormones, it's because you're being mistreated and your body and brain are trying to tell you this situation is bad for you.

AnneLovesGilbert · 03/07/2022 21:57

Being defensive isn’t going to help. The support you need is from your husband and he’s showing you in neon lights you won’t get any. I’m not sure what you hope people will say. No one is going to tell you he’ll improve and it sounds like things are worse this time around, he’s turning violent and threatening. Lying about how this looks from the outside isn’t supportive, it’s disingenuous and unhelpful.

Even the way you mention past improvements as him volunteering to clean up - it’s his house too, it’s his child who’s making some of the mess, it’s such very basic stuff that he’ll pitch in and do his share. I realise it’s better than expecting you to do absolutely everything but that was ridiculous.

I really feel for you, his behaviour isn’t your fault. But I don’t what you want or expect to happen now?

Bonster37 · 03/07/2022 22:14

Op I just don’t think men realise the depth of tiredness in the first 12 weeks. My husband was having family stay during my first trimester and expected me to help him do some serious cleaning, like windows etc. It took several ivf cycles to even get pregnant and I was exhausted and just about able to go to work. The stress of getting the house ready made me so angry. I told him I’d personally ring his mother and cancel it if he didn’t back the fuck off. Even threatened to move into my sisters. They have no idea. I think you need to give him
an ultimatum and follow through on it. Sounds like he will not listen otherwise. If things don’t improve, you will reconsider the relationship

Outfoxedbyrabbits · 03/07/2022 22:21

midairchallenger · 03/07/2022 21:50

This is nothing to do with his job and everything to do with who he is. I am fairly sure you posted about him before because I recognise this scenario. I feel sad you're still trying to put up with this shit from him.

By support what do you want? I'm not feeding you more false hope that an abusive prick will change, because he won't. We can support you to begin to explore exiting the relationship if you're ready to consider that?

You're not a bad person and your reaction isn't hormones, it's because you're being mistreated and your body and brain are trying to tell you this situation is bad for you.

All of this. It's not the job that's the problem, it's him. My husband is a medic. He has just finished a 12hr shift and got home around 9pm to find me struggling to get the older child to bed with the very cranky teething baby on me in the sling. He changed his clothes and then took the baby downstairs and rocked her to sleep while I settled the older one. It's now an hour later, the poor baby has woken up already so she is now sleeping on him on the sofa (he's awake and watching the tennis, as am I).

Your husband is abusive. It's not your fault and you can't do anything to change him. No wonder you got PND last time around. This time, get support from other sources. Ask for a referral to perinatal mental health now (you can start to see them before you give birth). Make a plan to leave him before the baby arrives.

Herejustforthisone · 03/07/2022 22:35

He sounds like an abusive cunt. So many seem to be attracted to the police force.

I don’t know what to suggest but I’m so sorry you’re being treated this way. Your options are there but my be difficult to face head on.

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