Funny thing on the tube

[blushingmare]

Just had to share this because I thought it was so funny..... I'm 8 weeks pg. Yesterday was feeling particularly bloated and also wearing a slightly maternity looking top ( the kind that cuts off below your boobs and goes a bit floaty). Anyway, was probably also standing a bit lazily and a guy offered me his seat on the tube! I felt like a bit of a fraud even though I am actually pg, and felt the need to sit with my tummy blown out as large as I could make it, with one hand resting on top for the remainder of the journey. Made me giggle as I really don't think I am showing at all at this stage!

[justhayley]

Hehe love that! I'm 13 weeks and push my tum out everytime I'm on the bus or train to get a seat - I see people looking wondering if I'm pregnant or have a beer belly but they never offer a bloody seat! I need to take your train they sound much more polite

[NoMoreWasabi]

Get a "baby on board" badge free from TFL customer services - as long as you don't mind wearing it, it will increase your chances of being offered a seat.

[MissRee]

At 30 weeks and with a huge bump, I still haven't been offered a seat on the tube I applied for a baby on board badge at 12 weeks but nothing ever turned up

I want to feel special!!!!

[Tigresswoods]

Missree I just picked up a handful at Bank & gave them out to my NCT group. That was 2 years ago tho.

[Merinda]

I am 34 weeks with a huge bump (no badge needed), and being mostly ignored. (I am on the tube at least twice a day in rush hour throughout my whole pregnancy). 4 or 5 times I was offered a seat - only by women. Once had to refuse, because the elderly lady looked like she needed it more than me...
I am actually amazed at the fact that most men first survey me carefully, and then pretend to be fast asleep or deeply immersed in their reading...

[KnitterNotTwitter]

What amazes me is that more PG women wait to be asked/offered instead of just going for it. I used to walk into the tube/train/bus and just ask before anyone had a chance to be gentlemanly/womanly!

[notcitrus]

I got offered a seat half a dozen times in my first trimester last time - I must have looked like crap as I didn't even know I was pregnant!

Since then only when I've had my walking stick with me. Thing is, until I'd been pregnant I wouldn't have noticed anyone being less than 9 months pregnant, probably not even then if they were wearing winter clothes! So I don't blame people for not offering - though I'm always amused that the first people to offer are blokes with their girlfriends near them!

Was very impressed by a woman on my commute shortly before I got pregnant who squeezed on the packed NR train and then yelled "Excuse me, please could someone give me a seat as I think I'm going to faint or maybe throw up and this will delay your journey!" She got a seat...
Luckily I found that asking nicely always got me one.

[NoMoreWasabi]

On the tube my advice would be to get a BoB badge, if not immediately offered a seat, survey those sitting in the closest "priority" seats, see who looks like they are most likely able bodied and ask very politely whilst smiling it there is any chance you could sit down in the priority seat as you're finding it difficult. I am of course aware that disabilities aren't always visible etc but if the person says "sorry I can't" then often surrounding people will give up a seat. IME teenagers are amongst the best at volunteering seats.

[kdiddy]

Was on the tube recently - did several journeys over a few days - and not once did anyone offer me a seat [hhmm]. However, back oop North where I live, people have always offered seats and even carried my bags up stairs for me when I've looked knackered. Which is pretty much every day now!

[Enraha]

You have to be pretty assertive/shameless about it -'Can I sit down please?'
It's much trickier at the height of rush hour and some lines are definitely ruder than others. Entitled able-bodied nobs travelling to/from Canary Wharf are the worst

[MissRee]

I think maybe I'm just being precious about my pregnancy... I don't NEED a seat as my tube journey is only 2 stops ( I'm struggling with breathlessness so no longer walking it!) but it would be nice for someone to offer their seat

Should I feel the need later in preggoville, I will be requesting a seat though (only 6 weeks til mat leave starts!!)

Ria x

[MiauMau]

I really don't want to get a BoB badge, I think that people should be more civil and attentive, but I guess that that's just me!
A couple of weeks ago, a pregnant lady got in the train, stuck her tummy out and demanded a seat. For the very first time in my life I didn't give my seat away, I though "all these guys seating in priority seats don't look pregnant to me, why should I get up?"
Had she been further ahead in her pregnancy, I would have give her my seat but, that would have just been ridiculous!

[Pastabee]

See, I find middle aged men are most likely to offer a seat. Last night every seat was taken and I was immediately offered a seat (am 37 weeks) and said very loudly to the gentleman 'that's so kind but here's the thing, if this lady moves her cello we can both sit down'.

I can just about live with not being offered a seat. I can't live with someone keeping their cello on a seat, furiously avoiding your gaze, while a heavily pregnant woman stands. Very rude IMO.

[laracroft2001]

i find its only women or teenagers who ever offer seats. NEVER the bloody men in their business suits and with their briefcases. they always suddenly need to do something urgent on their phone (on the underground!!)

[hawthers]

I've found it's always been men in their 30's who've given me their seat. I figure their DW/DP might be diffed up and so they keep an eye out.

If no offers are forthcoming my line is to people in the priority seat - excuse me but do you need that seat? Allows them to say if they do but also means that other people offer. I've only done it once though to a rude lady who barged me out of the way, took the last seat and I felt particularly crap. Or just shout out please don't squash me - I'm pregnant. Seems to guarantee a protective sheild of people around you!