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My husband won't pay for my epidural because 'the luxury was my choice'

"You're the one who couldn't hold out, you jacked up the bill," a new father has angrily told the mother of his first child.

Image: iStock
Image: iStock

A woman has told the internet that her husband won't pay for "extra expenses" associated with the literal birth of their child, because they are "luxuries" his wife "chose."

Incredibly, he's talking specifically about the epidural she requested when she could no longer bear the agony of delivering their baby.

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RELATED: My husband was the worst part of my traumatic birth

"You jacked up the bill"

The woman told her story in a heartbreaking online post, which was picked up by a popular money podcast - and then the discussion was made into a TikTok.

The podcast hosts laughed in amazement as they explained the new dad's attitude to their listeners.

"They've been married for seven years, she just had their first baby three months ago. They split everything in their marriage 50/50.

"They generally keep their money separate, which seemed to be going well until they get the hospital bill for their baby.

"The wife had planned to give birth without any medication, but after 24 hours of labour, decided to do the epidural.

"When the bill came, her husband wanted her to pay the entire eight grand."

Apparently, he responded to his wife's confusion by saying, "You're the one who couldn't hold out for a few more hours, you jacked up the bill.

"The epidural, the lactation consultant, the extra night, nursery fee, post-partum supplies... and the food she ate."

Dad makes mum pay for her own epidural

"If you want a housemate, don't get married"

The podcast hosts explained that the husband refused to pay for any of the "extras", so the wife ended up paying the entire bill - but reluctantly so.

"If you want a housemate, don't get married," one of them said.

The clip is captioned, "How you handle and spend your money is a result of what you value in life. When you plan your money out together as one team, you're creating shared goals and dreams.

"Roommates split bills and groceries, married couples have one account and one shared goal."

"He can pay for the divorce"

Viewers of the TikTok were disgusted by the new dad's attitude.

"He can pay for the divorce," one wrote.

"Sounds like he'll be paying child support shortly!" another noted.

And this person advised, "A marriage isn't 50/50 it's 100/100. Combine everything or this is what you get."

Others were crushed on the wife's behalf, with one writing, "The way I would have died inside if he were my husband said that to me after I just delivered a child."

Finally, this viewer observed, "This is more insidious than 50/50. It's financial abuse, emotional abuse and a good dose of narcissism."

Originally published as My husband won't pay for my epidural because 'the luxury was my choice'

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/my-husband-wont-pay-for-my-epidural-because-the-luxury-was-my-choice/news-story/f5622ada0edf348a38732a3b00a5e74c