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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

He got the snip.

136 replies

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 08:51

long post sorry. I feel incredibly down. Like worse than I’ve felt in a very long time. After I basically told him how I felt last Tuesday ( that I wasn’t sure about his decision to get vasectomy), we were basically split up. There was no room for compromise for him and with that came a sense of acceptance from myself that he didn’t want children with me. I’ve got my boy he’s got his daughter and I suppose I really should be grateful for that. He basically said he didn’t want us to break up. But I’d already told my mum everything. Told her it was over. He asked me whether I was still going with him Thursday for the vasectomy. At that point I felt like I couldn’t be with him but I would still be there for him despite my feelings. When he asked me to still go with him I had such warmth in my heart that he would reach out to me. I told him I needed some time to really accept and adjust to this. But Thursday I went with him we made a day out of it and in all honesty it ended up being a really nice day/road trip with him. But something in me was very very detached from him in a way, we had a laugh but it seemed like something had really disappeared between us , in my heart I felt like he was more a friend than the man I was once in love with. Sex has been off the table for ages because of all the arguments we’ve had. And especially now after this. I’ve had some health problems putting me off as well so we’ve not had that intimacy for a while ( he says weeks but it’s been more like 2 weeks).

There’s something in me that feels like I’m grieving something and I don’t know why, I cannot understand why I feel a sense of grief about this:(:( but it’s actually really painful unlike anything I’ve felt before really so it’s difficult to convey it to him. I was there for him Thursday and he was incredibly grateful and really appreciated my support. I was happy to be there for him because I do love him and couldn’t not be there for him especially when he asked me. I’m glad I went with him. But like I said there’s a sense of loss in a way and I don’t know why. I made a list of pros and cons for his decision. There were more pros than cons. It makes sense to me not to have more kids. But it’s that the possibility has been taken away from me. It’s much more complex than just agreeing with his decision. I have a deep sense of disappointment right now. I feel quite empty. I feel quite lost and alone. I feel like something has been taken away from me. I feel quite inadequate, not important enough to be heard by him, a bit disrespected in a wierd way, like my life is a bit meaningless, a bit frustrated that I’ve been single more or less nearly 8 years waiting and hoping for my lucky break in finding mr. right, I feel like I found him and he can’t give me the possibility of more kids. I feel I’d feel different if it was a case of him not being able to have kids for medical reason..but it’s his decision to not have kids because ‘he doesn’t want more kids’ that’s difficult for me to understand him really and whether I can base my future on such a vague and selfish explanation. I’m torn between thinking ‘well it’s his body he can do whatever he wants (which he is obviously entitled to do), and ‘he’s not considering me in his decision’. And that’s what hurts, is that I feel that I don’t really mean that much to him, he doesn’t love me as much as he says he does and it’s his way or the highway. I’m just not sure I’m strong enough to completely dismiss my own feelings and thoughts about this. There are more pros than cons to him having the snip. I’m basing all of my thoughts and feelings on the idea that I possibly may want kids when I push 40 odd, it’s that fear that I may start panicking when the big 4-0 approaches and the thought of not having given myself a chance to find somebody who is willing to give me the world.

I’ve become so distant. I’m very quiet naturally anyway but this is such a different and kind of unsettling kind of silence in me. Like I’ve been covered in a blanket, it’s in a way quite soothing, it’s a sense of detachment where nothing aggravates me or angers me, it’s more of a deep acceptance in me that I’m not allowed something, like a sense of meaning has been stripped away from me. I’m not sure if I’m making sense really. But as a woman intrinsically here to bear children….I feel trapped in that i feel like I can’t find anybody better than him who loves me like he does, we’ve bonded as a family…I feel like I can’t leave that as it’s special to me. It’s what I’ve wanted. A little family even if we don’t have a child together we have two beautiful ones between us. I should be grateful there’s noway I could throw away such a blessing.

But today was difficult. His mother and uncle and aunty came to visit. And I spent the day feeling incredibly low thinking about his decision Thursday. And I cannot shake this feeling that i feel like i’m grieving something.

Bit of background. Emotionally neglected as a child by father. Abandoned by my mother when I was 8. String of toxic relationships. Had a child with a narcissist. And it scared me so much. That was nearly 8 years ago. Tried dating/relationships but they’ve always ended badly. Finally found somebody who was willing to fight for me and stick around. Felt loved. Got pregnant and he told me to get rid of it. Now he’s done this vasectomy and doesn’t want any more kids. It’s like I’ve waited a long time for my happy ending and it’s not been much of a happy ending in all honesty. And it’s almost as if it’s my karma. Like I deserve this or rather i don’t deserve my happy ending. And I’m getting on a bit now. If I choose to end it there’s no guarantee I’ll find someone anyway To have more children with. I guess it’s this sense of loss that I was single for so long, left on The shelf kind of thing and i guess it’s that feeling of being ‘past it’. That disappointment that it’s never going to happen for me. Even though I should be grateful that there is somebody who loves me. It’s so complex I’m not sure how I feel myself even. The best I can describe it as is this sense of emptiness and loneliness. Even though I have him and my boy. He bought me a big bunch of flowers delivered them to me today with some nice chocolates. As a thank you to me for going with him Thursday. I got them this morning just before I was about to go to his to meet his aunty and uncle. I thanked him then he asked me a random question that made me feel a bit uncomfortable ‘do you still fancy me?’ And it may have made me feel uncomfortable because I wasn’t sure how to answer. It made me feel awkward because it was crap timing to ask. But I wasn’t massively reassuring towards him:/ I said ‘ye I do’ but just said bit awkward just before I meet your family. I’m not sure if I still have that desire towards him at this moment in time because of how low I feel and because of what he’s done. I’ve asked him to give me a bit of time to really adjust to all this. But I found today extremely overwhelming and I was very distant. It annoys me how casually he talks about the snip. He told his mum as well. And she was there today. And I just felt incredibly awkward in all honesty. His uncle and aunty mentioned his previous wedding as well which made me feel uncomfortable. I felt slightly judged by them and felt like his aunty was comparing me to his ex wife. (I get the impression the aunty got on alright with his ex wife). I increasingly because uncomfortable today although they were lovely. Deep sadness in me. He noticed but then he started having a go at me or making me feel guilty for not being intimate with him for a while. I simply haven’t felt like it because of health issues and because of him deciding to get the snip and because of arguments. The last argument we had is when I really shut down with him. It was akin to gaslighting. Yesterday he decided to change his Facebook status to ‘in a relationship’. I told him I do need time to think about and process what’s happened but that I can’t throw away what I have now, him and this small family, I can’t throw that away. So he did that, bought me flowers…yet today he had a go at me for not showing interest in him sexually. Felt incredibly awkward because his family were around but I literally couldn’t bring myself to be normal or affectionate with him. I don’t know why I’m like this it’s such a fucked up situation to be in and I’ve not really experienced anything like this before. It’s so difficult. And I came home earlier with my boy and I can’t even bring myself to message him:/ I genuinely don’t know what to say to him without it sounding formal or detached. Plus I have no idea how to make sense of what I’m feeling right now anyway so don’t want to make things worse. He’s more concerned about me not showing any sexual interest. I literally don’t know what to say to him.

OP posts:
ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 28/08/2022 11:17

I would worry op thinks a level 4 bastard is great/valuable ... Because she's been with level 8/9 bastards before.

This, exactly.

whumpthereitis · 28/08/2022 11:17

LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:08

Having another child was something that was clearly a dealbreaker for him, and he’s well within his rights to feel that way.

Well then he clearly should have had the vasectomy before shagging women of child bearing age then!

And he also should have stated clearly that he did not want another child, early in the relationship.

It is a potential deal breaker for many women;

I find many men do not make themselves clear on deal breakers for women .. when they're looking at sex, fun, companionship etc with a new, attractive woman. They are conveniently reticent until they've gotten what they want for a while (and they think she's too invested to leave).

Sure, he should have, but that’s irrelevant after the fact.

OP is well within her rights to consider it a dealbreaker and leave. If that’s what she decides is the best course of action for her then she absolutely should. It sounds like they may very well be fundamentally incompatible, but that doesn’t make either one of them ‘wrong’.

LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:18

Sure, he should have, but that’s irrelevant after the fact.

It's not remotely irrelevant; it's a reflection of his integrity.

And op should consider it before she gets further invested/entangled.

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 11:20

The impression I get from how he’s been since the vasectomy is that he’s relieved, happier, he seems different like a weights been lifted off his shoulders, he’s laughing and joking more whilst I’m here grieving. That’s exactly what it feels like. Like he’s got what he wants. He knows I’m struggling emotionally but now he’s making me feel guilty for not wanting sex like he thinks I should be all happy and excited that we can have sex and he can finish in me again. Like i should be happy and excited about that?:/ it’s like we’ve reacted completely the opposite to what’s happened.

OP posts:
whumpthereitis · 28/08/2022 11:22

LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:18

Sure, he should have, but that’s irrelevant after the fact.

It's not remotely irrelevant; it's a reflection of his integrity.

And op should consider it before she gets further invested/entangled.

Integrity, you mean like learning from a mistake and taking action to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

Upsidedownagain · 28/08/2022 11:23

You are grieving the loss of a future child and that's absolutely fine. You need to work through that. No man is obligated to give you another child. But his actions have had a profound effect on you and being pestered for sex is the last thing you need. I can well imagine your enthusiasm would be lacking! Contemplating having / not having a child does tend to make one focus on the fact that this is the prime biological purpose of having sex. On top of which you have very confused feelings about him - resentment, disappointment etc - which makes intimacy difficult for many / most women.

This may have shifted everything in your relationship and you need to reflect on that too. You sound quite young - talking about being 40 as a far off date - so there's no reason to stick with this relationship if it isn't right for you. Just because you love him doesn't make him a compatible life partner. There could be a great partner out there who would love to have a child with you.

Take time to work through your feelings. Do you have friends you can confide in? Or talk to your GP about counselling.

MineIsBetterThanYours · 28/08/2022 11:24

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 11:20

The impression I get from how he’s been since the vasectomy is that he’s relieved, happier, he seems different like a weights been lifted off his shoulders, he’s laughing and joking more whilst I’m here grieving. That’s exactly what it feels like. Like he’s got what he wants. He knows I’m struggling emotionally but now he’s making me feel guilty for not wanting sex like he thinks I should be all happy and excited that we can have sex and he can finish in me again. Like i should be happy and excited about that?:/ it’s like we’ve reacted completely the opposite to what’s happened.

That's because HE is relieved. He rally doesnt want another cild and he is finally free of worry about that.

The issue is that he is ALSO refusing to accept that how he feels isn't how you feel and doesn't give a shit about it. Actually he wants you to feel as he feels as if you are not entitled to your feelings.
Says a lot about him.... :(

Alpha1Delta22445 · 28/08/2022 11:29

Asking you to accompany him to support him to his vasectomy has made you feel that you agreed to it (although it his body, his choice) when infact you did not agree

Fundamentally, you want different things

You want more children

He does not want more children, with you or any future partner or wife

I would think that this is the end of this relationship

No point in being miserable

DillAte · 28/08/2022 11:30

@LemonDrop22
Well then he clearly should have had the vasectomy before shagging women of child bearing age then!

It's ignoring the reality of advances in contraception and modern society to suggest that consent to sex implies anything other than consent to sex and a possibility of making statutory child maintenance payments.

Any involvement beyond that will be a choice and women should acknowledge this when they let men inside them.

Hopeandlove · 28/08/2022 11:32

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 09:31

I got pregnant early in the relationship, and it would have been way too early for us. But he did essentially say, it’s my choice but if I had it then he couldn’t see us working in the long run. @wouldloveanother, yes in a nutshell. And yes that’s the underlying feeling I have is that my hopes and dreams aren’t his concern.

So coercive abortion then. If you have it - we split up and it had no father and you are on your ow , if you don’t I stay with you and we might have a future with children that is not supporting you what ever you choose!

Hopeandlove · 28/08/2022 11:34

ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 28/08/2022 11:17

I would worry op thinks a level 4 bastard is great/valuable ... Because she's been with level 8/9 bastards before.

This, exactly.

This is a nutshell.

finish it

LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:36

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 11:20

The impression I get from how he’s been since the vasectomy is that he’s relieved, happier, he seems different like a weights been lifted off his shoulders, he’s laughing and joking more whilst I’m here grieving. That’s exactly what it feels like. Like he’s got what he wants. He knows I’m struggling emotionally but now he’s making me feel guilty for not wanting sex like he thinks I should be all happy and excited that we can have sex and he can finish in me again. Like i should be happy and excited about that?:/ it’s like we’ve reacted completely the opposite to what’s happened.

He's a selfish shit.

Incidentally I've seen quite a few men who are conveniently ambivalent on deal breakers with new (attractive, nice/ women) ... Until they've had plenty of sex got long enough, and until they think the woman is invested.

They know they probably wouldn't get those women if they were completely honest from the start.

Firty · 28/08/2022 11:37

I understand, OP.

The thing that really stands out to me in your post, is that you told him you needed time to accept and adjust to his wish to sterilise himself, and instead of giving you that time he did it asap and manipulated you into being there, as if your physical presence was some kind of permission
or approval.

He’s your partner, but ignored your wishes and made a decision that affects both of your future lives in a major way. And now he’s pressuring you. All this “do you fancy me” and getting you to see his family and changing his Fb status to ‘in a relationship’ - it’s pressuring. And disrespectful of what you’ve said about your feelings, frankly.

It sounds to me like he is thinking about only himself here and that you are grieving the relationship you thought you had.

The other thing that stood out to me is you not getting your happy ending. I’m not sure there is any such thing. Even the most idyllic looking lives have problems. Sometimes we get moments of perfect happiness but they always come to an end. That’s just the deal.

Anyway. Give yourself some space from him to reflect on your feelings and his. Reflect on whether or not you want more children. This man has taken that option away from you without making it a mutual decision.

LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:37

whumpthereitis · 28/08/2022 11:22

Integrity, you mean like learning from a mistake and taking action to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

Are you so obtuse you thought o was referring to the vasectomy?

The vascetomy is the only thing he's done right, if late/after the horse has bolted.

LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:38

Firty · 28/08/2022 11:37

I understand, OP.

The thing that really stands out to me in your post, is that you told him you needed time to accept and adjust to his wish to sterilise himself, and instead of giving you that time he did it asap and manipulated you into being there, as if your physical presence was some kind of permission
or approval.

He’s your partner, but ignored your wishes and made a decision that affects both of your future lives in a major way. And now he’s pressuring you. All this “do you fancy me” and getting you to see his family and changing his Fb status to ‘in a relationship’ - it’s pressuring. And disrespectful of what you’ve said about your feelings, frankly.

It sounds to me like he is thinking about only himself here and that you are grieving the relationship you thought you had.

The other thing that stood out to me is you not getting your happy ending. I’m not sure there is any such thing. Even the most idyllic looking lives have problems. Sometimes we get moments of perfect happiness but they always come to an end. That’s just the deal.

Anyway. Give yourself some space from him to reflect on your feelings and his. Reflect on whether or not you want more children. This man has taken that option away from you without making it a mutual decision.

Very good points here too.

TurquoiseDragon · 28/08/2022 11:41

ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 28/08/2022 09:25

Got pregnant and he told me to get rid of it.

That is a very big thing. So he’s pressured you to have an abortion, though it sounds as if you had mixed feelings, at the very least. No wonder you’re grieving.

Now the vasectomy too. He’s making it very clear your hopes and dreams aren’t his concerns.

Sorry, OP. Never say you don’t deserve a happy ending. You do, but I fear it won’t be with him.

This stood out to me. I am also concerned about him shouting at you for not being sexually interested in him right now.

He's not as nice as you think. While I agree that his body his choice, everything you've mentioned is all about him and what he wants.

It doesn't sound like the abortion was your choice, and I wonder if grief for that is mixed into your very obvious sadness.

And just because he's changed his FB status, it doesn't mean you have to be in a relationship with him. Time to properly think whether this relationship is a good one, but it doesn't sound like it to me.

LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:44

he thinks I should be all happy and excited that we can have sex and he can finish in me again. Like i should be happy and excited about that

You are on totally different wavelengths (and visions for what you want in a relationship). You wanted a good relationship with the possibility to have another child ... He wanted and wants sex and companionship (with absolutely no possibility of any more kids).

As I said, I think he "conveniently" didnt make that clear early on.

He made it clear when you fell pregnant (because he said it probably wouldn't work out if you had the child, but was v happy to keep seeing you and getting more serious if you didn't). That was him saying it without saying it directly. His vasectomy should be no surprise when we consider that.

ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 28/08/2022 11:48

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 11:20

The impression I get from how he’s been since the vasectomy is that he’s relieved, happier, he seems different like a weights been lifted off his shoulders, he’s laughing and joking more whilst I’m here grieving. That’s exactly what it feels like. Like he’s got what he wants. He knows I’m struggling emotionally but now he’s making me feel guilty for not wanting sex like he thinks I should be all happy and excited that we can have sex and he can finish in me again. Like i should be happy and excited about that?:/ it’s like we’ve reacted completely the opposite to what’s happened.

He knows I’m struggling emotionally but now he’s making me feel guilty for not wanting sex

OP, to use that popular MN advice, “When someone tells you what he is, believe him!”

You’ve had a lot of pain in your life, some of it inflicted by him. You’re dealing with an unwanted abortion and his harsh ultimatum: no more children, ever, if you stay with him. But he’s happy, and he wants sex, so you have to give him what he wants. Please listen to what you’re saying, OP!

As Lemondrop said, he’s a grade 4 bastard. You’ve had worse. But you deserve better. Please give yourself permission to break free of this selfish, insensitive man and find a happier life.

Musti · 28/08/2022 11:49

If he’s just had the snip, he will still need to use contraception.

Op having a child is a big thing and he doesn’t want any more children. You can compromise on certain things but not that.

Doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you very much.

Life rarely works out how we want it to and there isn’t much point not enjoying your existing life because of lamenting what you don’t have.

You have a child and a great relationship and a step child. Broodiness often doesn’t go away. I have 4 kids and I’m in a great relationship and if I hadn’t been post menopausal I know I would probably have wanted a child with him. Even though I have the perfect life now - time with my kids and free time with my boyfriend to do what we want.

If you really wanted more children then you could split with him but you say that you’re not even thinking of having kids, just don’t want the possibility taken away from you. So he definitely doesn’t want kids and you’re not thinking of having more kids so it makes sense for him to have a vasectomy so there are no unwanted pregnancies.

Life is short. Don’t wallow in stuff. Either accept it and move on or end it.

And I know lots of people - men and women, who wanted more kids than their partner.

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 11:49

This is one of the most difficult things I’ve been through:( I don’t know what to do and I don’t want to make any quick decisions whilst I’m still processing stuff.

OP posts:
LemonDrop22 · 28/08/2022 11:50

he thinks I should be all happy and excited that we can have sex and he can finish in me again

Would he not even use condoms when you were having sex before?

If he'd used them, your chances of an unplanned pregnancy with two forms of contraception, would've been very very low.

So he's selfish on that front too.

I have nothing but disrespect for men who don't use condoms but then want women to have terminations. You had a 98 per cent chance to prevent that, within your power, mate.

Very glad he's finally gotten himself snipped, pity all he can think about is fucking/ejaculating instead of his partners feelings about the termination and the lost chance for any more kids that she's have liked.

Alpha1Delta22445 · 28/08/2022 11:50

He is pestering you for sex

This is the point, where you put YOURSELF first & end the relationship

He doesn't get his Happy ending either

ThinkingaboutLangClegosaurus · 28/08/2022 11:54

To clarify, this is about his selfishness and total lack of concern for OP’s feelings, not just the question of more children. Selfishness and insensitivity are hard to live with in a partner.

PyjamaDuddlejuck · 28/08/2022 11:55

smooththecat · 28/08/2022 10:34

Regarding the vasectomy, I’d say his body, his choice. I think more men should take active control of their fertility. But your body, your choice also stands for you and crucially, he didn’t support that.

This ^. He's not a prince, he's not really that decent by the sound of it. I think you would probably be better off without him in the long run, and that your past experiences have clouded your judgement. I suspect he saw you coming.

Talking about this with the counsellor is a good idea but it might be a good idea to also talk about the termination and everything surrounding it with someone trained to counsel those who have had terminations, specifically. Yours was coerced to some extent. Be careful about which organisation you choose. You need them to be completely unbiased (pro-choice) and able to support you properly over the coercion and in the context of your background. AND do the Freedom Programme or similar and maybe find some assertiveness training, Mind used to do it.

Katerinabrandysauce123 · 28/08/2022 11:55

he’s feeling rejected because I’ve not been massively interested recently and he does that thing of guilt tripping me. I’m v depressed at the moment it’s the last thing I want. He’s not talking to me now because I’m wasn’t reassuring enough that I do still fancy him, even though I said I did yesterday.

OP posts: