Laura Collins
Published January 17, 2026 6:00pm
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This surely can’t end well…? (Picture: Metro)
After a particularly brutal breakup, meeting someone new again can feel like finally finding your happy ending.
But that wasn’t the case for this week’s reader, whose Prince Charming sadly turned out to be the villain of her story.
She plucked up the courage to dump him, but sadly, that’s not where their relationship ended, as just weeks later, she discovered she was pregnant.
Now she faces a dilemma. Should she keep the baby, and start the family she’s always dreamt of, or have a termination, knowing she’ll be co-parenting with a man she describes as ‘nasty’ and ‘selfish’?
Check out our expert’s advice below, but before you go, take a look at last week’s dilemma, from a reader who’s hasn’t found the courage to tell his partner about his secret kink.
The problem…
I’m in my mid-thirties and broke up with my long-term boyfriend when I was 29. I was okay with it at first because I naively didn’t realise how difficult it would be to meet someone else.
This task has not been made any easier by the fact that I work from home and nearly all my friends are now married with kids. I never thought I’d be one of those women who was desperate for a husband and baby, but I’ve accidentally turned into just that person.
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Hi, my name is Laura Collins, and every week I write Metro’s Sex Column.
I’ve been working in newspapers since completing my counselling training 30 years ago, and it’s always a privilege to help readers.
Read my column in The Hook Up newsletter every week (Picture: Laura Collins)
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So, when I met this wonderful (or so I thought) guy online, I was over the moon. He was handsome, funny, mind-blowing in bed and seemed to share all the same interests and values as me.
Sadly, I’ve now realised it was all an act. He can pretend to be whoever you want him to be, but once you get to know him, he’s selfish, lazy and quite nasty at times. It took a while to accept the horrible truth, but finally, when I found out he was cheating, I had no choice but to end things. He wasn’t even bothered, as by then he’d moved on mentally and physically to the next girl.
Unfortunately, I’ve now found out that I’m pregnant (eight weeks) and I’m completely torn over whether to keep the baby or not. I’ve told this guy and he’s in an absolute rage about it, accusing me of trying to trap him, which I’m definitely not.
Needless to say, he wants me to have a termination but I feel this might be my last chance of motherhood.
Comment now What advice would you give to this week’s reader?Comment NowThe advice
Some women are fine with being single and childfree all their lives, but others yearn to become mothers – and none of us has the right to lecture others on how they should feel.
It’s a horrible position to find yourself in, but at least you’ve finally got the measure of this creep. Now you need to think hard about whether you want to proceed as a single parent; although if you go ahead with this pregnancy, he’ll still be legally liable to help maintain his child whether he wants to or not.
Sometimes I hear from guys who’ve been presented with an unplanned pregnancy and I do feel sorry for them, but I’m not going to waste any sympathy on your ex. It’s as much his doing as it is yours.
If you decide to keep the baby, you must be sure you’re prepared for life as a lone parent. Do you have the support you’ll need from family and friends? Life as a single mum can be tough, but most women find the rewards are worth it.
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Don’t go ahead with this pregnancy because you feel it might be your ‘last chance of motherhood’. Only go ahead if you really want the baby, are prepared for the financial and social sacrifices, and know that you and your child have a bright future together.
Bear in mind, your ex may surprise you by applying through the courts for Parental Responsibility – if that happens, email me again.
Making A Decision About Pregnancy
The only person who can decide whether or not you should have an abortion, is you.
Sexual health and wellbeing charity, Brook, offer resources to help you consider your options and make an informed choice.
You can access their ‘Making A Decision About Pregnancy’ advice, here.
If you do decide to opt for a termination, their are counselling services available.
If you had your termination with MSI Reproductive Choices, they offer a counselling service to all of their patients – whether on the NHS or private. You can arrange counselling with them on 0345 300 8090.
If you had your procedure with BPAS, they offer free telephone and face-to-face counselling. Call 03457 304030 to book an appointment.
You can also find an NHS counsellor directly on the BACP website.
Your GP will also be able to refer you to a counsellor on the NHS.
Laura is a counsellor and columnist.
Got a sex and dating dilemma? To get expert advice, send your problem to [email protected].
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