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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:
Bringemout · 18/06/2026 21:33

I really doubt that he was the one that ended the relationship. Anyone with an ounce of common sense wouldn’t say this stuff to their girlfriend because it’s hurtful, I would assume he’s just manipulating you.

Are sure you want to continue this pregnancy? Or the relationship?

Marycontrarygarden · 18/06/2026 21:35

Why the fuck are you still with someone who misses his life with someone else? I do despair at people on the site and what they will put up with.

Life will get immesurably more difficult once you actually have the baby.

DoYouWantHalfThisSandwich · 18/06/2026 21:36

The info you’ve given in your update @Georgia3092 makes it even worse in my opinion - these are just excuses for him not making what are reasonable adjustments. And what on Earth did he think was going to happen when he separated from his elder DC’s Mom?? He should’ve considered all those things before beginning a relationship with you, & then adding a baby to the mix. He was wrong to start a relationship with you if he had all these ‘feelings’. I know this is a shit time, but I urge you to consider what you want to do - what happens if he wants to take new baby with him on these visits?? Where do you draw a boundary?? I’m not saying these things to be a cow on the internet, I just have experienced similar with the lack of boundaries & the not feeling heard in a very similar situation, & I truly wished I’d made different choices at the time (No baby on my part which does make things easier). Don’t be me. Apologies if others have raised these points - there’s been lots of replies since I last looked.

Marycontrarygarden · 18/06/2026 21:38

What more do you want to know from mumsnet that you don't already know? The man is TELLING YOU that you and the unborn baby are not enough. Can you have this baby alone?

PeoplesNet · 18/06/2026 21:40

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?

I feel bad for people getting into these situations. I would get out of that relationship asap.

A) he shouldn't be sharing thoughts or feelings like that with you. Sometimes, sharing is not caring.

B) how many levels of denial and narcissism do you need to think it's okay to sleep over at an ex's house just because your child lives there?? When you have a new partner? And your partner is pregnant - holy sh*t

C) what makes you think he won't leave you and then whinge about it to partner number 3?

He is a bellend anyway judging by his behaviour and I wouldn't want to raise a child with him. Get rid.

Charel2girl5 · 18/06/2026 21:45

OP with all due respect you have had so much sensible, amazing advice and you have not responded. He doesn’t love you, he’s an arsehole.
Seriously get rid!

OxfordCircus · 18/06/2026 21:50

He wants you to keep fighting for his affection, to do anything to make him choose you. He’s a narcissist. It’s all downhill from here.

BlackCat14 · 18/06/2026 21:51

I just feel totally and utterly deflated. Hes said hes not willing to stop sleeping there even now that I'm pregnant

Did you not have any conversations about this when deciding to have a baby together? I wouldn’t continue this relationship, you’re always going to be second best.

StarDolphins · 18/06/2026 21:59

Op, I am the ‘family and child’ in your situation- my ex has a new gf for a year and he’s told her he still loves me and sends me messages of missing me and DD and if he could have 1 wish etc. I ignore all these messages and he’s extremely manipulative. Don’t doubt that he won’t be also sharing these ‘missing his family’ feelings with her.

I would ditch him and say contact from now on is child related or you will be ignoring. You’re being triangulated and these triangles can go on for years if you let them. He’s lying, future-faking and manipulating both of you. If you look carefully, you’ll notice a pattern of his words not matching his actions. This won’t stop until a stable person in the triangle stops it, and it won’t be them two.

WerewolfOfLoudon · 18/06/2026 22:00

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.

3 years ago he would have been saying the mother of his child was his best friend and was the person he was in love with. He is still sleeping with her and you are an idiot if you think he suddenly went from staying in a hotel to staying with the ex for a child he walked out on in the first place.

That child was less than 18 months old when he started a relationship with you. Where do you think you will be when your child is 18 months old? He will have a new girlfriend and by the time your child is 3, another one will be on the way.

Cannybeme · 18/06/2026 22:01

OP this man is not the one for you. Get rid of him and have a termination.

I guarantee you will be back on this forum in 6 - 7 months time complaining about being heavily pregnant and your partner popping off to his ex and their child.

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 18/06/2026 22:03

BlackCat14 · 18/06/2026 21:51

I just feel totally and utterly deflated. Hes said hes not willing to stop sleeping there even now that I'm pregnant

Did you not have any conversations about this when deciding to have a baby together? I wouldn’t continue this relationship, you’re always going to be second best.

I wouldn't continue the pregnancy either. This man is taking the evil piss, he's fucking/playing you AND the mother of his other kid, and he LOVES it. He's revelling in having two vaginas. God knows what he's doing to the poor other woman's mental health. I can just imagine the utter lies he's telling her. "OP is desperate, needy, she'll hurt herself if I leave, I do love her and feel bonded to her, and it hurts when I'm away from her, but you know it's really you that I want".

OP. He's a player.

Don't make your future kid have this shit man as a father.

Ignored124 · 18/06/2026 22:13

I’ve been in this situation OP. Had the child , he’s nearly 4 and I’m a single mum . Had the child as I wanted a baby , have the finances and family support . He does treat my son as less than and we’ve always been secondary to his ex and other children .

Emotionally it’s been hell on earth . I don’t see speak to him , he’s strung me along a lot . I’m still not over it.

Definitely ditch him and absolutely think about the pregnancy. You will be a single mum if you continue and worse you will be tied to him. He’s scum . Sorry .

TwinklySquid · 18/06/2026 22:16

The future does not look good. I can promise you, at some point, he’ll either go back to them or leave you. He’s got one foot out of the door .

If you were my friend I would be honest. Do not keep this pregnancy and end the relationship. You deserve someone who loves you ALL the time and puts you first.

Sofrigginghot · 18/06/2026 22:18

Not to be harsh but you sound like a pick me girl. Have some balls and leave. He didn't leave her, he was left, likely a narc and he's replaced you with her and love bombed and trapped you by getting you pregnant. It's honestly one of the oldest stories in the book.

DelphiniumBlue · 18/06/2026 22:19

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.

"The connection wasn't there with her anymore" although they had a baby together pretty recently. OP, his baby is only 3 now, and you've been together for 18 months, how old was the baby before he left its mother?
He's one of those men who can't handle his partner's attention being on the baby rather than on him, that'll be why he "wasn't feeling a connection anymore".
If you go ahead with your pregnancy, do it with your eyes wide open. He is not a good bet as a father. Decent men don't leave their partner with a young baby. He is showing you that he is not prepared to put anyone else first, not his partner, not his own child. His ego comes first. How has he justified leaving his first family? He wasn't feeling it, FFS?

MyArtfulGreySloth · 18/06/2026 22:20

He needs to stop having babies.

Effortlessness · 18/06/2026 22:26

Don’t ruin your life for him.
Don’t do it.

UncannyFanny · 18/06/2026 22:27

FourCheese · 18/06/2026 15:59

He shouldn’t have gotten you pregnant, and should have stayed with her. He’s basically doing that anyway by sleeping over and maintaining their family unit

Well of course, only the man made op pregnant. She had no agency there whatsoever. How silly of him 🙄

Sandysandybeaches · 18/06/2026 22:32

What an awful man - treating his ex in a cruel way by leaving her with a baby but continuing to give her ‘hope’ of a reconciliation. Walking out on a toddler, keeping irregular visit schedule and now dragging you into the situation too.

OtterMummy2024 · 18/06/2026 22:33

Do not have a baby with this man.

UncannyFanny · 18/06/2026 22:35

MyArtfulGreySloth · 18/06/2026 22:20

He needs to stop having babies.

And you need to learn about conception. Women need to stop having sex with him.

nochance17 · 18/06/2026 22:37

Why are you having a baby with this man ? Let him go. This man has a foot in both camps, he has known you and her for roughly the same amount of time. He doesn’t know what he wants or he may be struggling with everything happening so quickly, having two kids with two different women in three years. Is he hoping that you end it as he keeps telling you he’d rather be somewhere else ? He’s not going to be a reliable partner. Look at his actions rather than his words. Why does he need to stay overnight to see his son ? That isn’t normal , an ex wouldn’t usually want him there. Why are you tolerating it ? If he really loved you and wanted to be with you he wouldn’t be pining for his old life and he definitely wouldn’t be staying there overnight. Getting pregnant after 18 months is very quick. Consider whether you really want a baby with him, can he financially support you and your baby as well as his three year old ? There’s a high chance he may return to her and you’ll end up a single mum, is that what you want. If you choose an unreliable man you are setting yourself up for a hard life.

Daisymay1000 · 18/06/2026 22:42

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?

I am so sorry you’re going through this. But honestly… please leave. Your a stand in. It’s his family he wants. Iv been there, done it and got the tshirt. There is nooooo reason for him to stay at his exs house, you can guarantee they will still be sexually involved. Please don’t put yourself through anymore and leave.

GlobalTravellerbutespeciallyBognor · 18/06/2026 22:45

Could you and the ex meet and talk about eg arrangements or something/anything? Or speak on the phone?

It would be better to understand what the real situation is.