Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

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

Pregnant and struggling after partner says he misses his old family

238 replies

Georgia3092 · 18/06/2026 15:13

I'm currently around 6 weeks pregnant and feeling incredibly sad and lost about my relationship.

I've known my partner for around 4.5 years and we've been together for approximately 18 months. He has a 3 year old son with his ex-partner and was part of her older son's (now 14) life for several years too. They were together for nearly 4 years.

Throughout our relationship he's repeatedly told me how sad he is, how much he misses his family, and how there's a "hole" in his life. He says he loves me, I'm the person he wants to be with, I make him incredibly happy and that our relationship is great, but he still feels this sadness.

Last night he told me that even while we were on holiday together the last few weeks he felt sad and like something was missing. He said the hole gets filled when he's with his ex-partner, their son and her older child. He insists this isn't about wanting to get back together with her, but about missing the family unit.

I completely understand missing your child, but I honestly don't know how I'm supposed to hear that as his pregnant partner. All I hear is that something is missing when he's with me.

To make matters worse, he still stays overnight at his ex's house when visiting his son. I've told him this causes me huge anxiety, especially now I'm pregnant, and I've asked him to stop. He has basically told me he isn't willing to do that.

I feel like I've spent 18 months supporting him through his sadness, but nothing ever changes. He's recently started therapy but we're still having exactly the same conversations.

I love him very much, but I don't think I can continue in the relationship as it currently is. I feel constantly insecure, exhausted and emotionally drained.

Am I being unreasonable? How would other people interpret what he's saying? Is this simply grief over the loss of a family unit, or would you see it as a sign that someone isn't fully committed to the relationship they're in?

OP posts:
RoomToDream · 18/06/2026 16:00

From your update he sounds like he is enjoying the power of two women wanting him. Have you heard of the 'pick me dance'? He is playing mind games and is not an ideal partner/father.

Put yourself first.

If you want this baby on your own then go for it. But make sure that your are making the decision for yourself and not because you think it will keep him or make him less of a game player.

Imagine if you dump him, have the baby, get on with your life and don't play the 'maybe we could get together some day game' with him. It would drive him mad. Having to coparent with someone who doesn't want to be with him. Oh his poor little ego!

Beachdrift · 18/06/2026 16:01

I'd terminate and ditch him.

OneNaiceSnail · 18/06/2026 16:01

So basically he’s manipulated two women to accept him being in an open relationship (just for him though, not for them), where he gets to stay with and shag the both of them, whilst banging out new children to his hearts content. And you’re both letting him?

Beachdrift · 18/06/2026 16:03

I'm assuming the pregnancy was unplanned, as I can't imagine anyone in their right mind planning a baby with someone who has spent the eighteen months of their relationship being nostalgic for his ex and their children?

Coffeislife · 18/06/2026 16:03

Were you the other woman ?

Pansykavalier · 18/06/2026 16:04

You seem desperate to put a positive spin on this relationship which is never going to go anywhere. What he is telling you is nonsense - it’s just words. He clearly doesn’t see you as the one who can take the place of his ‘former’ partner.

Why on earth did you think getting pregnant was a wise choice? At the moment you still have choices. I suggest you choose wisely…

ScorpionLioness79 · 18/06/2026 16:04

He's plain stupid and cruel for telling you this. If he actually felt this way, he'd be putting up boundaries to get past that, beginning with not spending the night with his ex. His 3 year old is sleeping overnight so how is his presence at that time about being a good dad? So of course, he's likely sleeping with his ex since she didn't want the breakup. If that weren't the case, she'd be putting up appropriate boundaries and not allowing that.

In a way, he's hiding in plain sight. Clearly, your feelings are not a priority to him, since you communicated your distress and he chooses to be selfish and unethical. If not a physical affair, it's an emotional affair, which is just as harmful.

In your shoes, I'd get my ducks in a row for living without him. Begin getting legal advice for child custody support. Tell him from now on, discussions will be about co-parenting and no longer on you two as a couple, and he can keep his thoughts on anything else to himself.

It will serve him right to now be paying child support for 2 children, plus paying rent for himself with no shared costs from a partner. Unless his ex is dumb enough to take him back. Karma is a B.

drunkelephant83 · 18/06/2026 16:04

I could never be in a relationship with someone who still stays at their ex’s house! If he didn’t want her, why does he stay over at hers and play happy families? Why doesn’t the kid come to yours?

I'm 99.9% sure he would still be sleeping with her, given she would have him back in a heartbeat!

Does his ex even know about you?

DoYouWantHalfThisSandwich · 18/06/2026 16:06

Oh, OP 💐 Congratulations on your pregnancy, but being brutal - leave this man. This isn’t going to get any better & he has no respect for his relationship with you, & the one that will be your family once baby arrives. He’s openly shown you that he doesn’t value your feelings by still doing the overnight stays. Your are pregnant with his child’s half sibling & he should be readying his existing child for the new family unit (and no, I’m not suggesting that anyone needs to know about the baby yet). Is there any reason why the his DC don’t do overnights at the home you share together?

CarerBurnout · 18/06/2026 16:07

he's repeatedly told me how sad he is, how much he misses his family, and how there's a "hole" in his life. He says he loves me, I'm the person he wants to be with, I make him incredibly happy

When his words are a contradiction, you have to look at his actions.

Maybe it's best not to continue the relationship or the pregnancy. I can almost see your self-esteem draining away from over here, and it's only going to get worse for you. You need to take control.

Rubbleonthedouble2 · 18/06/2026 16:08

Spookyspaghetti · 18/06/2026 15:58

He sounds psychologically abusive. He is telling you all this (things you don’t really need to know) to break you down. I guarantee he treated the previous woman the same way.

This.

I would recommend an abortion and splitting up with this waste of space. I'll bet you anything he will leave you too in 3-4 years' time and get some other poor soul pregnant asap.

You don't have to live this life, OP.

user1471538283 · 18/06/2026 16:10

Well he can go back there can't he? He sounds like he enjoys causing you pain.

He's sad my arse.

category12 · 18/06/2026 16:10

Sounds like he just loves having 2 women on the go.

Bet he's still shagging his ex while he's playing happy families over there.

You're in a drama triangle, OP. The only way to win is to leave the game.

As pps have said, I'd also consider termination of the pregnancy as otherwise you'll be tied into this mess for life.

TheBloomingDahlia · 18/06/2026 16:11

This must have been very hard to hear. Hopefully the therapy will help him, but I would be leaving on the basis it sounds like he will keep trying to recreate a “family unit” with other women to fill whatever hole he has decided is inside of him. 18 months is more than enough time to get over a relationship and it was never your job to help him with that. Staying over at his ex’s is a blurred boundary that shouldn’t be happening if he was excited about a new baby on the way. I’m afraid he sounds like a mess and not someone I would be trusting to be a secure partner

RoachFish · 18/06/2026 16:11

Spookyspaghetti · 18/06/2026 15:58

He sounds psychologically abusive. He is telling you all this (things you don’t really need to know) to break you down. I guarantee he treated the previous woman the same way.

I didn't even think about this, but I think you are right. He's not just thick and soppy, he's actually wearing you down until you have no self-worth left anymore. The more you accept from him the worse it will get.

luckylavender · 18/06/2026 16:12

Georgia3092 · 18/06/2026 15:49

I want to clarify, he chose to leave the relationship with his ex not the other way round. She would have him back in a heartbeat but he says he's not in love with her anymore and the connection wasn't there however he can't break the attachment to his "family" & he includes her in that. I've told him many times to go back to her and he says he doesn't want to and that he wants to be with me, I'm the person hes in love with, I'm his best friend etc and his unhappiness isn't anything to do with me or our relationship because I make him incredibly happy. But when hes with me despite being so happy he has a hole missing which is only filled when hes with them.

It's not enough. Get rid of him and find someone who respects you. I wouldn't be having his baby either.

DierdreDaphne · 18/06/2026 16:17

Presumably to begin with his ex was "the person hes in love with, his best friend". Until, a couple of years later and while they had a small baby together, apparently she wasn't.

WhosGotTheKeysToMyBimma · 18/06/2026 16:17

He's breadcrumbing his ex, giving her false hope by spending time with her

He's being openly cruel to you saying how much he misses his family

He won't consider cutting down the time he spends with her

He's making you feel insecure and worried

This guy is not a keeper

Have a termination and split up with him.

18 months in should be sunshine and rainbows not all this angst.

Larrythecatforpm · 18/06/2026 16:20

Don’t have a child with this man.

MammaTo · 18/06/2026 16:22

I appreciate you’re in a vulnerable position, but you need to get a grip on reality. End the pregnancy and end the relationship. It sounds super harsh but why would you want to tether yourself to someone like this?

Conchiglie · 18/06/2026 16:23

Georgia3092 · 18/06/2026 15:49

I want to clarify, he chose to leave the relationship with his ex not the other way round. She would have him back in a heartbeat but he says he's not in love with her anymore and the connection wasn't there however he can't break the attachment to his "family" & he includes her in that. I've told him many times to go back to her and he says he doesn't want to and that he wants to be with me, I'm the person hes in love with, I'm his best friend etc and his unhappiness isn't anything to do with me or our relationship because I make him incredibly happy. But when hes with me despite being so happy he has a hole missing which is only filled when hes with them.

If this is true then he is being cruel to his ex to stay overnight at hers. It must be giving her false hope that they will get back together.

He is not a nice person.

67676767676767s · 18/06/2026 16:24

He wants two holes and clearly misses one when he’s with the other.

lazyarse123 · 18/06/2026 16:25

You deserve someone fully committed to you and your child. He's openly saying you are not enough for him. I would definitely separate and think seriously about whether you want to continue with your pregnancy. Good luck with whatever you decide.

toottoot3 · 18/06/2026 16:26

What happens when you do make him unhappy? Sounds like he could tell you anything just now, why does he get to make all the decisions? Ex wants him back, he "stays" over, you are being told really really clearly he see his family but not with you or your baby. You must be feeling awful, and extremely vulnerable, I'm sorry this is happening to you. It doesn't have to continue, the relationship at all or as is, the pregnancy or this weird love triangle he has created and controls.
You have final decision on every part of you and your child's life at this point, birth certificates, schooling, moving abroad all starts to involve him, so really think about it, talk to real people who you trust, listen to them x

BotterMon · 18/06/2026 16:27

Wow what a catch he is.

Dump him and have a termination. You are worth more.