Will a badge help?

[alux]

Not so long on the April 05 thread we were moaning about people on the tube/buses not offering pg women a seat.

Will a badge help ?

[flamesparrow]

Wow! I'm not pregnant, but when I was had terrible sickness and because I didn't have a bump I discovered that no-one cared in the slightest if I collapsed or not.

A badge would have been great.. might not have made a difference, but would have made me feel better .

You could show it to the people who glare at you for parking in a baby space by the store front because you just aren't capable of walking from the normal spaces too!

[stickynote]

I really hope so. Was talking to my husband about this yesterday (he commutes into London by train/tube) and he says the trouble is, unless a woman has a skintight top on making her bump obvious, she could just be "pleasantly plump" IYSWIM, especially at this time of year when people are wearing thick coats. He would always offer his seat, but wouldn't want to offend anyone, so he thought a badge was an excellent idea .

[Newbarnsleygirl]

It's got to be worth a try.

When I was PG I had to take 4 trains a day to get to work. 2 there and 2 back. I used to pass out all the time as it was so busy and I couldn't get a seat. I once passed out so bad that I fell right to the floor and banged my head on the door. No one helped me until I woke then a young bloke helped me out of the train. I had to finish work when I was 28 weeks because of the travelling.

[flamesparrow]

Maybe they should give out badges saying "pleasantly plump" too

[stickynote]

[stickynote]

He said it very diplomatically

[alicatsg]

No I don't think it will. When I was about 8 months and v visibly pg a woman knocked me flying as she got up from her seat (I was standing). Someone picked me up and said she should have been more careful to which she replied "she shouldn't travel on the buses like that, taking up all that room,, she should leave them for normal people". I'm usually a size 8 and tho bumpy wasn't huge when pg, she must have been a 16 +.

I work in London and not once did anyone offer me a seat on the train or bus. DH started travelling in at the same time and would stand over people and demand their seat for me but I was always paranoid that someone would hit him for it!

[flamesparrow]

As I was writing my first reply I was actually thinking that it could save a lot of embarrassment for those not pregnant!!!

[flamesparrow]

how rude!!!!!!!

Maybe she was related to my old work nurse who said that "pregnancy is not an illness" when I was ill lots throwing up!

[Amanda3266]

It would be nice if they work. Some people are just not interested though - very selfish IMO. Lost count of the number of times I booked working women in early pregnancy (when I was a mw) who planned to work up to 36 weeks or so only to find they'd gone on mat leave far sooner as they found the travelling horendous with nobody willing or ready to offer them a seat - even when it was patently obvious they were pregnant.

[bundle]

i just asked people when i was pg

[stickynote]

I know what you're saying alicatsg - I commuted in until I was 28 weeks and no-one offered me a seat either . But on the basis that there could be someone like my DH sitting in every carriage (something like 95% of people surveyed said that they would give up their seat), I still think they're a very good idea.

[alicatsg]

Luckily I had my v camp bitchy queen friend with me who took her down several pegs and had the bus applauding. Karma.

[beachyhead]

I must admit, I used to just ask, and I was never refused.....I'm only 15 weeks at the moment and don't really feel I need a seat particularly. However, if I did, I would ask......

People are generally OK with it, once they know you are not just a fattie

But I do wish people would be brave enough to ask for what they want - Commuters aren't mind readers.....

[alicatsg]

Yeah I asked too - but its amazing how deaf people get on those busy commuter trains.

[Amanda3266]

Agree that sometimes it can be hard to tell. I just get annoyed when it's obvious and nobody does the decent thing. Last time we went to London and were on the tube my hubby didn't hesitate to leap up when a pregnant woman got on - I still wonder if she'd have had to stand had he not been there.

[alux]

On the April thread many stated that young Asian men were most likely to give up their seats without being asked. I was in London just one day using public transport as I live elsewhere and empathise for the women who face that endurance everyday. Medals all round in my book.

[tarantula]

Ogsh I guess I was very lucky then as I travel the district line every day and when visably pg always got offered a seat by someone and quite often an apology for not noticing me sooner. I was always amazed at how nice people were. On the other hand I remember reading about someone who got elbowed inthe stomach while on a train and lost the babe So I think anything thats helps is a good idea.

[hana]

i always would ask and no one ever refused. don't think a badge would make a difference - if you're not going to ask for a seat , would you even wear a badge?

[hunkermunker]

One time a man looked right at me, down to my bump, then pointedly raised his paper so he couldn't see me!

I did end up asking for a seat towards the end of my pregnancy (commuted till I was 36 weeks), but I was amazed at how few people offered (and my bump was enormous compared to the rest of me!). Not that it's my right to a seat...it's just manners!

[hunkermunker]

How will they ascertain whether a woman is pregnant? Will she need to pee on a stick in the booking hall?

[charleypops]

There should be stickers up in the trains saying you have to give up your seat to pg women, as they do for the disabled and elderly so it then becomes your right.

[hoxtonchick]

i'm 22 weeks now, & travel to work on the bus/tube 2 or 3 times a week. people have been pretty good about giving up their seats (i am good at wearing tight tops ), & if they don't i have no qualms at all about asking. let them try & refuse - i'm pregnant & angry & love a good fight!