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Relationships

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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:
Newyearawaits · 18/06/2026 19:02

PeopleWatching17 · 18/06/2026 17:22

Bloody hell. I agree there are problems in this relationship, but to make the leap to ‘needing’ to have an abortion is a bit much. She doesn’t need to do anything of the sort, even if she splits from partner immediately. If she wants to go down that route, then fine - her decision, but plenty of women (and men) raise children on their own. I did. In fact, I split with my daughter’s father before I knew I was pregnant. It never crossed my mind not to continue with the pregnancy.

Glad to hear that was the right choice for you. It's not for everyone

YourWildAmberSloth · 18/06/2026 19:03

Assuming the pregnancy was unplanned as why on earth would you choose to have a child with a man who is sad, misses his ex and is basically completely fickle? Its bad enough that he's doing it to you, but now there will be another child that he's flipflopping between.

LIZS · 18/06/2026 19:05

He is playing games with you both. He left her but soon got a replacement and is still hedging his bets. Why does he need to see his ds at her home if not to also see her? Hmm He is doing nothing to reassure you yet you are pg with his child. He has a “hole” in his life where his family should be Shock What about the “family” you would share?

Sorry but I don’t think he is as committed to you as you to him. Do you have family and friends for support whatever you decide.

Pinnacles · 18/06/2026 19:09

Sounds like he doesn't know what he wants except to keep you all dangling

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 18/06/2026 19:10

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.

Please ignore all the bullshit he is spouting
It's been 18m
You don't REALLY know him.

I would find a really good counsellor and decide whether or not you want to raise this baby solo. If yes - carry on.
If not, i'd get an abortion and i'd do it in the next 2-3 weeks and id start the process of organising an abortion now so i wasnt delayed (its easy to cancel its hard to magic up an appointment)

Do not proceed with this pregnancy under any illusion you two will go the distance.

He is so selfish / thick / lacking in empathy he is completely unable not keep repeating this bullshit to you.... you can be sure as shit when the chips are down this guy will not be there for you.

He is presumably still going to fuck off over there for a free dinner and nice long sleep when you are vulnerable and post partum because... fambllllly

What utter bollocks.

As paloma faith once sang "i just cant rely on you"

Personally id be getting an abortion - i never wanted a child solo and having had one i can confidently say solo parenthood with a newborn would 100% not be for me....!

steff13 · 18/06/2026 19:19

obsessional · 18/06/2026 15:16

When did he split up with his ex?

It sounds like he hasn't...

AbsoluteHoot · 18/06/2026 19:19

It seemed like a doomed relationship to consider bringing a child into.

Notarealblonde · 18/06/2026 19:21

I think the options here are raising your baby as a single parent or getting a termination.
I would not trust this man an ounce.
if you do go ahead with the pregnancy file for child support via CMS.

he is absolutely still sleeping with his ex, think how much worse you will feel later on in pregnancy and after childbirth. I feel really sorry for you in this situation.

impartialusername · 18/06/2026 19:23

did he cheat on his ex to be with you? And leave his then 1.5 year child? Sounds like a great catch! No idea why you thought it would be a good idea to have a child with this guy.

Frugalgal · 18/06/2026 19:25

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?

How did he take the news of your pregnancy?

Have you asked him if he will still be having his lovely sleepovers with his other family when you have a newborn?

It's been 18 months, I don't think I would be minded to continue the relationship or the pregnancy in your shoes.

Yogabearmous · 18/06/2026 19:28

He is basically playing two women off against each other and watching you all fawn all over him to “win”.
i would end the pregnancy and end the relationship. This man is not a keeper. He is playing you both.

BeSunnyLemonSheep · 18/06/2026 19:30

What on earth did you expect? You should have run a mile from this guy.

There will be no happy ending here.

outerspacepotato · 18/06/2026 19:34

He considers his ex and their son and her older son his family and he tells you that to your face.

Not you. He spends nights at her home.

His words to you are bullshit and mean nothing. His actions are what counts. Your relationship has no future. If I were you, I'd terminate and break up and have nothing to do with him ever again.

PoppySeedBagelRedux · 18/06/2026 19:40

He wants it both ways, and it’s possibly a way of controlling you. Are you sure you want to have this baby with this man when he makes you feel so uncertain? Are you prepared to bring the child up on your own?

Laura95167 · 18/06/2026 19:41

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.

Aww the poor man, an ex pinning for him who has him for sleep overs. A little one who loves him and a partner whos his best friend. Sounds terribly sad for him.

I dont know how he gets through the day

Cake and eating it too, springs to mind

Wre · 18/06/2026 19:43

Please get a sexual health check.

Looks like he likes unprotected sex don’t tell me… he’s ‘allergic’ isn’t he?
In a year or so he will be telling the newest pregnant partner that you ‘fill the hole’ too. Bless him and his hole.
Completely up to you if you want to play these games but consider the children involved.

AImportantMermaid · 18/06/2026 19:45

Don’t ever stay with someone who makes you feel like you’re not enough. He’s making you feel like shit, and you’re letting him. Let him go - he needs therapy to process his old relationship and I think you need it too to process why your self esteem is so low.

ec5881 · 18/06/2026 19:45

Jeez OP this is awful.

To me it sounds like you need strict boundary time. Take time to think what you actually want. If it were me it would be stuff like - no staying over there or going there. Your child/children come and stay with us here as a family unit, then they go again. None of this weird, boundary blurring mixing. There needs to be a strict boundary there. Particularly if she wants him back. I cannot imagine the anxiety and insecurity being in your situation. That’s awful. It sounds like he needs to grow a bloody backbone and make a choice. You can’t leave a woman and still stay in her life like that. Otherwise it’s just fucked up. Like it has you. This needs to be a proper split. If he’s chosen you, and your baby, he needs to act like it. Not be half in half out wondering all the time and feeling sad. He is not entitled to feel sad. You are. What a shit. I hope he wakes up soon OP. Give him an ultimatum. You and your baby, or her. And then commit. None of this treating you awfully, woefully. It’s awful.

Tiddlywinks63 · 18/06/2026 19:48

rubyslippers · 18/06/2026 15:17

He’s staying over with her?
he’s sleeping with her
He misses her - you’re a stop gap
if you have this baby you’ll be second best forever
think about if that’s what you want as he will be a shitty dad
you will end up being a single parent so think now whilst you’re so early on if you’re prepared to do that and be tied to him forever (and he’ll be a permanent disappointment)

Definitely.
He’s playing you, it won’t be long before he scarpers back to her.

FoldItIn · 18/06/2026 19:49

Why do you think this is all you are worth @Georgia3092 ? You and your child will be bottom of the pile, no matter what he says. You and your child will never be as important to him as his 'first' family. Fair enough you choose this for yourself but do not raise a child in a home where they know they do not matter.

riceuten · 18/06/2026 19:52

He wants to get back together with his ex. She presumably doesn't want to. He's taking it out on you, and you "will do" as a stopgap until he convinces his ex to take him back - which may be never. What happens next is up to you. I'd leave, personally.

anon12345anon · 18/06/2026 19:54

Yet another selfish cunt of a man

orangegato · 18/06/2026 19:55

Yeah no, like fuck I’d be having a child in that situation, creating a complicated blended family and playing second fiddle to the proper family.

OP what were you thinking.

MeganM3 · 18/06/2026 20:01

Fupoffyagrasshole · 18/06/2026 16:50

I’d terminate the pregnancy and dump the guy tbh

sounds messy

You wanted to claim the guy and fell pregnant, but his hearts not in it.
Bringing a new baby into this is mad. So cruel.

climbintheback · 18/06/2026 20:02

You know the answer to this