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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

17 weeks pregnant and feel like I need to leave my partner

33 replies

CandidFox · 20/03/2025 23:58

There’s a lot more than I could ever write but I will narrow this down as much as I can. I don’t know if I’m looking for advice, comfort or even just a vent.
im 17 weeks pregnant with my second child (mine and my partners first). We have been together for 3 years and he moved in to my house nearly 2 years ago. I feel very lonely and almost on my own as it is. My partner expects me to caress him and care for him 24.7 but when I ask for the same in return he tells me that i knew what he was and knew he wasn’t that type when I got with him. (I literally just asked for the same affection I give him in return a bit more often such as physical touch, back scratches more cuddles and everything he expects and isn’t happy when he doesn’t get, sounds petty I know. But he doesn’t do much of this and I feel like I need this more especially with me being pregnant). He does tell me he loves me etc, he reminds me I should appreciate him more as he’s took my son on and moved in with us and gave up a lot to be here. I pay all the bills even though he makes a bigger wage than me although he does cover food shops in return. I take care of everything around the house domestically. The only thing he does do is take the bins out. He rarely offers to cook or even does the dishes and when he does he expects me to really praise him to the heavens for it (even though I do it every other night and expect nothing in return).
he asked me to be more appreciative of him as he has took on my son and for ‘everything he does’. The problem is I don’t see it. Am I being selfish and self absorbed? I constantly feel like I am catering to him and not receiving the same in return. Some of his comments make me feel horrible, for instance, he asks me to put the tv on in a different room for him coming through. I forgot, he comes through and says to me in all seriousness ‘i only asked you to do one thing’. It makes me feel shitty. As if iv not already done a million things for our family on that day including just struggling being pregnant and a silly error such as forgetting something is a big deal. I’m struggling to keep up. But he sees that as a minor throw away comment, I just can’t/dont.
he told me when I fell pregnant that if we ever seperate that no one will take me seriously as I will have two kids to 2 different people, which makes me feel pretty shit.
on top of that, he constantly reminds me every day of how good looking he is (no idea weather he is just trying to joke around or not) but to some degree the constant reminders make me feel like I am almost below him.
we very rarely disagree because at this point he has made it clear that he is right and I am wrong no matter what the situation is and how I feel is invalidated. So instead I sit with a lot on my chest and then I’m accused of being ‘off with him’ or moody, probably because I’m allowing him to disrespect me with throwaway comments either given seriously or disguised as jokes because if I call him out there is more chance of us not speaking for a few days or him going back to his mums because he doesn’t like hearing what I have to say or me calling him out / disputing anything with him.
im emotionally drained. We have been house shopping recently and are looking into getting our first mortgage.
iv tried to my main points into this but I could write a book, I would be here all night. I am not perfect and don’t claim to be, I just don’t know what I expected because as he told me ‘you knew what I was when you met me’ and to some extent he was right. Although I did just think he put on a facade when we first met but unfortunately this is the reality of him.
I love my baby boy that I am pregnant with already so much and would never change that, I will do my very best as a parent and although I feel guilty saying it, but I don’t know if a part of me actually regrets this pregnancy with my partner.
im scared of what the outcome will be if I do leave him, how I will cope etc. although I am struggling to go on like this and I can’t see anything changing as communicating with him about how I feel or things he could improve just isn’t an option. I’m terrified of having to go through this on my own (although it feels like I am anyway) and hearing of him away meeting others , partying and continuing with life as normal whilst I make all these huge adjustments and sacrifices for our child.
im drained, im tired. And if you have got this far thank you so much for reading. I don’t know what I’m looking for but it feels so much better to actually get it all out.
thank you.

OP posts:
FartSock5000 · 21/03/2025 11:54

@CandidFox you went into this relationship with an open heart and expected to get back the love and equality that you were giving out but he saw you coming.

You've been had.

He's got himself a live in house maid who'll shag him and run after him all the while telling you how lucky you are to have him.

He is what we term a "cockwomble".

This is not a healthy, equal relationship.

DO NOT put his name on birth cert or give baby his last name - no matter what!

If you do, you'll always have a fight on your hands. For example, you won't be able to take both kid on holiday abroad unless Dad gives your written permission.

This man will never love you the way you deserve. He will never treat you with respect and equality. He won't step up once baby arrives to do night feeds, cook and mind the other DS and he won't let you rest while he does some housework.

He will expect you to look after 2 kids whilst working, doing all the cooking and cleaning AND paying all the bills. AND you will be expected to be at his beck and call including sexually.

A man who has to constantly remind you that he has accepted his step child has not accepted that child at all.

Please get him out as soon as you can and change the locks. Be on your own for a bit and look into Freedom Programme because woman in your shoes will often seek out or attract abusive or cockwomble men unintentionally and until you can assert yourself and set boundaries AND enforce them, you will never be able to accept the love you genuinely should have.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 21/03/2025 12:21

@CandidFox You are obviously feeling vulnerable and unsure, but please read these posts.
This man conned you into believing he was decent, but he is far from it.
He moved into YOUR home.
YOU pay all the bills.
YOU do all the chores.
YOU pamper him & get moaned at for wanting affection reciprocated.
And he reckons you should be grateful for him "taking on" your son.
He's obnoxious.

You need to get him out. Have a friend or family member with you & tell him to go. Pack his stuff ready if you can. You know he will skulk off back to mummy.
Change the locks.

Keep communication to a bare minimum.
Don't tell him baby is here until after you have registered the birth. This avoids arguments over baby having your name. You can still claim maintenance if his name is not on the birth certificate.
He may threaten all sorts. Tell him to take you to court. He won't. He sounds too selfish to actually do any parenting.

I hope you have some real life support. Best of luck.

thestudio · 21/03/2025 12:41

This man is a bad man.

Men like this never ever change.

If you stay, he will destroy you and your children's lives.

Do as others have advised re evicting him and the birth cert.

Good luck - you are doing the right thing for your children and yourself.

Sixpence39 · 21/03/2025 12:59

For the sake of your kids kick out this vile man! But first make sure you've built a support network (either friends, family or professionals) who can be there for you as you're pregnant and need lots of care at this stressful time.

Mrsbloggz · 21/03/2025 13:25

This man is absolutely vile and you must escape from him.

ExpectantEs · 21/03/2025 13:28

I'm so sorry that you're going through this, especially being pregnant.

Echoing what other people have said, as the pregnancy progresses he will become more selfish, abusive and when you have a newborn he will be a demon.

Please surround yourself with people that love you and will help you, he is not one of them.

Don't think that you cannot find love as a single mum of 2, I know plenty of women that have more than one child and have found love. Someone I know had 4 kids by 3 different men, and has just gotten married for the first time and another child on the way. Her new husband is extremely successful and loves her kids. You will be fine.

And even if you end up single for longer than you anticipated, you'll be happier than you are now with your "D"P.

Abusive men can sometimes start with words and escalate to physical xx

CanOfMangoTango · 21/03/2025 13:31

Get him out this weekend.

He's mean, selfish and coercive. He's not any sort of role model for your son

He's a high earner but only buys shopping? He's freeloading off you.

He thinks this pregnancy has you trapped into accepting his poor behaviour

Show him he's wrong.

ChicaWowWow · 21/03/2025 14:20

So many, many, many red flags! I am so sorry it seems like he has been abusing you for so long and makes you doubt your own sanity and intelligence. Don't listen to his words anymore! Analyse his actions and listen to your gut. And also, listen to this then leave him:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029395?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

File on 4 Investigates - Femicide - BBC Sounds

The eight stages that mark a relationship’s transformation to murder.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0029395?origin=share-mobile&partner=uk.co.bbc

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