To expect a seat whilst waiting to see midwife

[Littlewreck]

I’ve come to see my midwife for my 41 week appointment. I’ve been told there’s an hour wait at least. There’s no seats left in the waiting area. Am I been unreasonable to expect some of the non pregnant accompanying adults to give up there seats for pregnant woman?

amunduh that actually sucks x what happened?

Same thing happened to me Amanduh. Went to maternity unit as waters had broken. Loads of people waiting, the midwife who took my notes when I arrived literally said “take a seat if you can find one.” DH had to go and ask a man to give me a seat so I could at least sit with a pad under me rather than stand with waters dripping on floor.

TBH I was more upset that the midwife didn’t help than that nobody gave up their seat until they were asked.

Sympathies, I’ve been there too OP. At our local hospital there is limited space in the waiting room to see the antenatal consultant. I seemed to be just about the only woman who didn’t mind going on her own, it was amazing how many pregnant women had to bring along not only their partners but often mothers too and children. I ended up having to stand more than once.

There should be signs saying that seating is for patients only at busy times and discouragement of more than one accompanying person per patient as well.

Can't believe how many people think you should have to ask. My dh would have stood immediately.

I'd ask the receptionist or just sit on the floor, then someone would surely say something. Who's that inconsiderate, I'd make my partner stand up 😂

‘Sit on someone’ !
That made me snort.
Good suggestion 😂

They could need a seat more than you. Could be terminally I'll.

Kendal I was induced via pessary and I was in ‘early’ that was bs labourbut they weren’t happy with babies response so wanted me to stay and labour fully at hospital.. but didn’t have a bed on a ward so asked me to wait in the outpatients waiting room.. ‘oh but we are quite full, there’s a corridor or you can have a wander.’
Turned out I was 7cm by then but thats another story.
Not one person offered their seat and this was in full earshot of everyone.
I had no strength at that point to ask anyone!
Puzzled I was the same with the midwife too!

When I was around 35 weeks my fundal measurement was about 44. I was HUGE. Yet I still got people saying oh are you pregnant when I asked for a seat. Even my Mind the Bump t-shirt wasn't a clue it seems.

Of course you deserve a seat. The people accompanying the pregnant women should stand at busy times, unless they have a health issue themselves (which I'm assuming a whole waiting room full of partners etc didn't).

I just sit on the floor (I need both knees replaced and I'm 24 weeks pregnant so standing for a long time is no good)
Usually someone offers a seat eventually. If not, once I'm down I'm good. Need a hand getting back up sometimes but hey ho.

DH always stood up when we went to the antenatal clinic.

I’m not surprised this happened to you, as the amount of non pregnant adults being oblivious that a heavily pregnant women may need a seat (when sat on their arses) was very common.

They could need a seat more than you. Could be terminally I'll.

Jesus. Some people really will make any excuse for the shit behaviour of (in all likelihood) men, won’t tbey?

*they

FFS, what is wrong with people these days. This reminds me of the article in the news the other week where nobody got up to give the blind man a seat on the tube. Who doesn’t offer their seat to the elderly/infirm/heavily pregnant etc 😡

Men can't really win can they? They're sexist if they give up a seat and rude if they don't.

aimrica, could you identify the posts on here that say that it's sexist for a man to give up a seat to a pregnant woman? Because I can't remember seeing any.

People on here like to make excuses for such stupid behaviour!

what if they are terminally ill?

So ridiculous

Jeez
Its not sexist for a man to give up his seat to a heavily pregnant woman in an antenatal clinic

I don't think men have ever been called sexist for giving up seats anywhere to be honest! They are (whisper it) generally more able to stand for long periods than women anyway, baring any disabilities, because of the way their bodies are designed. I wouldn't say men should have to give up seats to able bodied non pregnant women in ordinary circumstances but it is a fact that they (like children) are more able to stand.

But in an ante natal clinic it become a ridiculous to suggest that any one should be sitting in the waiting room while one of the patients is standing.

aimrica So long as my health allows I will offer my seat on a train or a bus - and in the highly unlikely case that I accompany anyone to a maternity clinic there too - to a pg woman, and if someone thinks I am being sexist in doing so, well, we all of us, men and women, have to live with other people's silly ideas, don't we?