Expecting Mother Distressed Over Husband’s Unwillingness to Share Responsibilities Equally, And a Sudden Health Crisis Exposes More Serious Underlying Issues in Their Marriage.

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The unexpected discovery of a second pregnancy reignites a deep-seated conflict between the Original Poster (OP) and her husband, centering around shared parental responsibilities and the struggle for support. While she grapples with the prospect of raising two children under the duress of limited assistance, the tension between them escalates, culminating in a heated confrontation. As they tread the stormy seas of marital conflict, the couple confronts their issues head-on.

An Unexpected Addition

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OP discloses her six weeks of pregnancy, an unexpected occurrence considering she already has a 15-month-old baby. The prior pregnancy was quite challenging, with difficulties such as severe exhaustion and pain during the newborn phase. Her struggle to fall back asleep after being awake with the baby left her only getting about 2.5 hours of sleep each night for several weeks.

Struggling Support System

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OP’s husband, an active gym-goer, reduced his gym time following the birth of their first child but still went 3-5 times a week. OP felt his contribution to childcare was insufficient, needing not only physical assistance but emotional support as well. A particular incident where OP pleaded for more rest after a sleepless night led to a bitter exchange and a miscommunication about OP’s feelings towards motherhood.

A Foreseen Challenge

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OP expresses her worries about managing the forthcoming pregnancy while also caring for a toddler. She informs her husband that he’ll have to contribute more around the house and likely cut back on gym time even further. However, her appeal was not received warmly by her spouse.

An Unsympathetic Response

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The husband responds with a text, claiming he already contributes a lot and refuses to cut back on his gym time or help with daycare due to his job. He blames OP’s stress on her parenting style and even suggests she reconsider the new pregnancy. OP is left shocked and infuriated by his lack of empathy.

A Scathing Confrontation

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OP confronts her husband, accusing him of preferring an abortion over sacrificing more of his gym time. He maintains his stance, calling her the selfish one in the relationship. Their disagreement escalates, with the relationship tension at an all-time high.

The Reality of Employment

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OP reveals that she works full-time when she isn’t on maternity leave. This additional responsibility amplifies the stress and exhaustion of her pregnancy and child-rearing. She must juggle work, childcare, and impending motherhood, with little support from her husband.

Misunderstandings and Misconceptions

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OP addresses some misconceptions, assuring that her resentment isn’t due to her being out of shape. She is an active runner, covering 15-20 miles per week immediately after work while her daughter is in daycare. The issue is not her physical fitness but the lack of support and understanding from her spouse.

A Silent Plea

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OP struggles with her husband’s insensitivity and lack of support but holds onto hope that he will change. The unresolved conflict casts a shadow over the joy of her pregnancy. The support she yearns for is absent, but she silently prays for a turnaround.

The Stirring Rebellion

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Beneath her patience, a rebellion begins to brew within OP. She is deeply hurt by her husband’s words and actions, and the resentment grows. The thought of confronting her husband again makes her anxious, but she knows she cannot remain silent.

OP recognizes the need for deeper conversation, possibly with professional counseling, to address their issues.

The Counseling Session

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They finally attend a counseling session, where they lay their issues bare. The counselor facilitates an open discussion, helping them understand each other’s perspectives. The session is intense, but it’s a necessary step in their path towards

In the counselor’s office, the husband claims to understand the severity of OP’s struggles. With this new understanding, he pledges to make a greater effort to support OP.

A Glimpse of Change

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The husband unexpectedly leaves work early a day later to spend the evening with the family, providing a much-needed respite for OP. This departure from the norm suggests a potential recognition of his shortcomings.

An Unexpected Setback

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Just as things begin to improve, OP faces a health scare with her pregnancy. The doctors recommend bed rest for a few weeks, leading to heightened stress and concern. This twist intensifies the need for her husband’s support and assistance.

During the bed rest period, the husband steps up to care for their toddler, work, and manage household chores. It’s challenging, but he remains committed, trying to maintain a calm environment for OP.

The Turning Point

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After a difficult few weeks, OP’s health stabilizes, and she’s allowed to resume her regular activities. The husband, having experienced the intense demands of full-time childcare, work, and housekeeping, has a renewed sense of appreciation for OP but falls back into his prior routine of going to the gym every day after work.

A Resilient Family

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Despite the trials and tribulations, OP does not feel the progress that has been made will continue to be maintained after pregnancy and is still deeply concerned about the future. She reached out to a popular online forum for guidance and advice.

Was The Couple’s Behavior Appropriate?

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The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “I think this is recoverable. The hardest years of my marriage were after our son was born. My husband didn’t even want to be left alone with him when he was awake. That was almost six years ago, and they’re best friends now.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote: “Your husband is selfish. Of course, he wants to go to the gym; it gets him out of diaper duty and cleaning! He gets to go listen to music and do whatever he wants while all childcare and household duties fall on you.

Make a deal with him. If he’s going to insist on his gym time, he needs to find a gym with daycare so he can take your daughter off your hands.”

A Third View on The Story

A different person states, “It may be time to discuss setting up some sort of home gym, one you both can enjoy and use without having to leave the house. Although the money upfront is a lot, in the grand scheme, it’s not that much if you do it bit by bit and buy a lot of used stuff. Just something to think about if this is really just about workouts.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another viewpoint on the story: “He says he needs to go relieve stress, but what is your stress relief? Is your health less important than his? Sounds like you two need to have some pretty hard conversations. He’s right about one thing, though; you need to think about if you want to have another baby with this guy.”