Does my partner want out now that we have a child?
I just gave birth to our daughter 3 days ago via c section. It was a traumatic experience as a FTM who thought that I was too healthy and low risk for one. Especially since I had pushed for an hour beforehand.
Since the birth of our daughter I've noticed my partner hasn't hit his stride. What I mean by that is that he's still young and I just figured he'd mature when the baby came. Well right after, he left to check on our dog in our apartment and was gone for hours without even holding our child once. He was barely affectionate during my stay during labor and recovery. He seemed to be picking little fights even in front of his parents which surprised me. He barely lifted a finger while our daughter nursed in with us which made it that much harder for me seeing as how there were days I couldn't move. Then on our way home from the hospital today he was extremely rude. I can't even tell you why. Just straight up rude to me and angry it seemed about something. All hell broke loose when I entered my apartment to see his entire family cleaning and rearranging my apartment. A nice thought, in the moment I'm sure, but I did not like being told where to put my child because there were cleaning products in her room or not having anywhere to sit and relax in my own place while my pain meds were quickly fading or being poked in my tender side by his aunt after giving birth just 3 days ago. I did not like the fact that they had gone thru my clothes (delicates included) and I expressed this to my partner. I felt violated and anxious and so did our newborn who was unswaddled twice by passing family members who took pics on her with their flash until she cried.
My partner told me I was ungrateful. He actually full on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde snapped on me. He made it clear that his family were being considerate versus inconsiderate of the postpartum, healing partner and child of his. That maybe only some things about the situation were inappropriate because they were trying to do something nice. I understood where the sentiment came from and even said that I know your father was just trying to make things easier on us but his family also has huge boundary problems because they're so controlling. I pointed this out as well and just let it be heard that it's my apartment and I'm not exactly feeling well. I came home to people rearranging my house and telling me where I can and cannot sit or put my baby. Of course all I'm thinking is please get the hell out of my house.
He proceeds to scream at me about how I'm not the only one with his feelings and basically that his are more valid than mine at the moment. He screamed "Fuck you" a few times as well. And mind you he had not been at the hospital all day every day with me during recovery. He could've cleaned the house. But he went home and played video games more than likely and he barely helped me with our child when he was there.
And again I'm not ungrateful of what they did but it was definitely not the best time nor did they respect my boundaries. It's my home and I'd like it to feel like mine. Especially when I'm battling back pain, trapped gas, a sore uterus, and healing incision. I should not come into my home and not have a quiet place to breastfeed my child.
I was upset about it but nowhere near as heartbroken as I was to hear the things come out of my partner's mouth. I threw my engagement ring at him. I'd never been so rudely spoken to in my entire life and my mother and ex were very verbally abusive. I want to believe that staying up late to assuage our newborn made him cranky but god this was unbelievable.
Update**
Me and my partner had to have a series of conversations because after this fight we had two more all in the span of a day. He finally understood my perspective and how immature and inappropriate his reaction was. He even spoke to his family and asked them to be mindful of our recovery and to keep visitation to a minimum in terms of how long and how many people.
We're also communicating better and we've been practicing an exercise called uninterrupted listening. It's given us both the freedom to literally say anything we need to without being disrespected by the other person. Things are better and i think he's genuinely ashamed of what he said. Sometimes when I'm upset he can barely look me in the eye. (I'm suffering from some mild postpartum and I think he believes that's partially his fault).
Hopefully the depression will begin to fade and we can continue to love our new baby girl. Thank you ladies for all your support. It means a world of difference when someone has your back.
Let’s Glow
Glow is here for you on your path to pregnancy
Glow helps you navigate your fertility journey with smart tools, personalized insights, and guidance from medical experts who understand what matters most.
25+ million
Users
4.8 stars
200k+ app ratings
20+
Medical advisors