For many years I struggled with infertility, but then a miracle happened—yet my husband’s reaction wasn’t the joy I had hoped for.

When I told my husband I was pregnant, he didnt really show any emotion at all. Id expected him to be absolutely thrilled, but that just wasnt the case. Wed always dreamed of being parents, gone through all sorts of tests and treatments just trying to have a baby. By the time I finally did get pregnant, I think hed already accepted that fatherhood probably wasnt in the cards for us. Funny thing is, right before we found out about the pregnancy, hed even started mentioning he might want to adopt a child someday. But then, when I told him the news, he just sat there with this sour look on his face. I figured he probably just needed some time to take it all in and maybe he was going through his own tough spot, you know? Still, nothing could take away my own happiness.

Honestly, I was over the moon floating around on cloud nine, it had finally happened after all that hoping and wishing. Sadly, the pregnancy itself was a real challenge. I had to spend ages in hospital and eventually had to quit my job because there was just no other option. Even then, my husband just wouldnt get on board; he wouldnt support me at all. He became more and more irritated and snappy, acting like my being pregnant was no big deal. Hed say things like, Pregnancy isnt a job, youre not carrying anything heavy round all day. I need my wife. Im tired of managing the house myself and slogging away all day from morning till night. I kept explaining to him, over and over again, The doctor said Im not supposed to overdo it, not lift heavy things, not take on too much because it could harm the baby. But, honestly, nothing I said got through to him.

Eventually, I ended up in hospital for quite a while, and he didnt call, never asked how I was, and he didnt pop by. I had to have an emergency caesarean, and our baby arrived early, but thank goodness he was healthy. Absolutely buzzing with joy, I rang my husband to share the news about our new little one. All he said was, Congratulations! and, believe it or not, those were the kindest words Id ever heard from him. After I was discharged and finally got home, I discovered hed moved out. I was terrified and heartbroken all at once, but I pulled myself together for my babys sake. I promised myself, there and then, that Id do absolutely everything in my power to make sure both of us would be happy and have everything we need.