Heatwave a-coming - tube game plan

[BlueBirdBlue]

OK Londoners, with the temperature set to reach 32 in London on Wednesday, who else is getting a wee bit nervous about travelling on the tube? I fainted (not even on the tube, just in warm weather) the other week so am worrying a bit.

Of course I will be very politely but firmly asking for the priority seat (first up is always the chap who I know has seen me but pretended not to, mwa ha ha).

I've ordered a little electric fan which I hope arrives in time and will be carrying water.

What's your game plan?

[MissTwister]

I was just about to post the same thing! I'm terrified as when I just checked it said 33. I got the tube yesterday when it wasn't even that hot and thought I was going to pass out.

I have ordered a mini fan/air con thing from Amazon to be delivered tomorrow but am considering just telling work I am going to have to work from home Wednesday when it's hottest. My office is always boiling too..

[FlumptyDumpty]

I would tell work you need to either work from home or come in early & leave early or come in late and leave late. I get faint in hot weather even when not pregnant. This week will be a nightmare and a double nightmare if any tube travel is implicated!

[TreeSparrow]

Freeze a bottle of water the night before and take it with you in the morning. It's a godsend.

[Hopefulnewbie]

I know it sounds a bit extreme but could you possibly ask work to maybe start and finish earlier/later?
I lived in London for about 5years and when it's a heat wave the underground is unbearable- I almost fainted a few times and I wasn't pregnant, now I am I really don't think I could do it.
At least if you miss the main rush hour you feel like you can breathe.
Whatever time you travel- make sure you sit down, have some sort of fan with you and I think a cold sugary drink helps

[HarrietVane99]

Is it possible to use the bus, at least for the most crowded parts of the journey? Then you can at least get off if it gets too much.

[scarednoob]

Depends where you live - I'm thinking of asking a local mini cab firm for a quote to take me in 5 mornings a week. The thought of the tube in that weather in work clothes makes me feel ill. But I'm only doing kensington to the city; it would have to be another plan if I lived further out!

[tootsroots]

Thank goodness its not just me worrying!! i have a chinese fan i swear by.. but i get so overheated despite it!!!
Frozen water is a good idea!

[MissTwister]

I'm going to train and bus. I don't want to risk getting stuck on a tube in a tunnel as wouldn't be able to bear it.

[Number3cometome]

I don't get the tube as I walk from Liv Street just up the road to my office, but I do have to get the shitty Greater Anglia service for 40 mins in the morning which is hot and horrid!

I am 37 weeks today and really not looking forward to it!!

I always take a couple of bottles of frozen water (have an ice addiction anyway) and freeze a bottle whilst at work in the freezer box in our fridge.

It does help.

Don't be afraid to ask for seats and don't attempt to board the train if you feel faint at all - ask your bosses to let you leave early or feign illness if you need.

Do not take any risks!

[BlueBirdBlue]

All excellent suggestions! I think I will head in early and leave early and will also do the frozen water. We have a freezer at work so I can do this both ways.

I also think I'm going to use a longer route that avoids the tube. Thanks everyone.

And you are right number3 that we shouldn't take risks. Our health comes first.

[dinodiva]

Early starts and late finishes for me I think. I always carry water after a previous feeling faint episode and got a sample of cooling spritz stuff from Liz Earle last time I bought stuff there so going to try that.
Also I might take advantage of the first aid room for naps! I was in Italy for a work conference a couple of weeks ago and found that a little rest in the afternoon made the heat and long days much easier to deal with.

[BlueBirdBlue]

So, how are we pregnant ladies doing in the heat? I've wangled working from home (wahey!), only I don't have the air conditioning our office does!

Hope you are managing to stay cool-ish.

[Number3cometome]

I took two bottles of ice water with me on the train, I hugged one, drank the other and refilled and put in the freezer with a third bottle when I got to work.

Usual leg space hoggers on the train. I might have accidentally on purpose knocked someone with my handbag who was taking up loads of space.

Not looking forward to the journey home!

Booked tomorrow off, cannot cope.

[BlueBirdBlue]

Poor you Number3! How long is your commute? Very sensible to book tomorrow off, if frustrating for you

[Number3cometome]

BlueBirdBlue

The train part is about 40 mins.

We drive to the station, park, then I walk about 8 minutes from the station to the office (although it take me about 20 now haha)

[BlueBirdBlue]

Oof, 40 minutes on the train is no joke. And I hear you on the pregnancy walk, even more so in this heat!

[Toothfairy7]

This thread really caught my eye. I have stopped work now and also thankfully because of 35 min tube journey followed by another 15 min one and then a 10 min waddle. It's too much at the best of times isn't it?! However I have to go on it tomorrow to make that journey - can't postpone , but as a one off and anxious because iv seen those temperatures! I have a hand fan and will take icy bottle of water. It is comforting to know I won't be the only pregnant lady braving the hot tubes tomorrow!!!

[Number3cometome]

I just went outside to get some lunch and nearly melted in the heat.

I have no idea what this train home is going to be like!!

[Toothfairy7]

number3 let us know how you get on when you go home... What time will you be going on the tube/trains?
They are too sodding hot for health!

[Number3cometome]

Oh great, just checked and they have speed restrictions and cancellations already!!

[MissTwister]

Well I've come back from work for a MW appt but have arranged to go to theatre tonight so have to head BACK into town. How stupid. Nearly melted before. Bought a raspberry Magnum. I also bought a 'mini' air con unit for train but its pretty big!!!!!

[Number3cometome]

I've got two bottles of ice in the freezer. I'll stick them down my bra ha!

[Littlelady33]

I took two buses last night to avoid it. 36wks and am spending as much time in air conditioned rooms! Which means long hours at the office. Have promised myself that as a treat I'll Uber home two nights next week (I don't live very far but on the Northern Line it feels like miles away). Oh and the Central Line can do one it really can - used for a meeting the other day almost passed out.

[StonedGalah]

I'm 28 weeks and huge bump

I'm on aircon train as luckily working outside of London today but I'm dreading the walk home!

I'm wfh for the rest of the week thankfully. The thought of tubing it in this heat

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

Leave for work with wet hair.