train commuting when pregnant....its really not much fun.

[madeindevon2]

Last time i was pregnant the train company offered a free upgrade to 1st class which meant i always got a seat.
Now they dont offer this...but offer you a "priority pass" which means you should get one of the "priority seats".....the ones for elderly, disabled, pregnant people.
Now im 26 weeks pregnant now and very obviously pregnant. I wear a wrap coat so its very bump hugging leaving no doubt of my condition.
Im quite amazed that when i stand by these seats noone offers me one. The women im even more surprised about....they stare are you...look slightly embarassed and look away....
Three times this week i have stood all the way. This morning i was just so shattered and achy i asked someone if they would mind if i sat down. The two women in the "priority seats" stared blankly while a man in a different seat hopped up and gave me his seat.
Im genuinely quite surprised about the reaction i get. Also getting on the train in the evening. its the women who literally push past me to try grab the last remaining seats. then sit there blankly as the men give up their seats for me....if i ask that is.
Do others find similar....or is it just me!?

Well, perhaps threatening to throw up if you have to stand might be a good strategy .... "Oh, I do tend to chunder away into people's laps if I get dizzy, hahaha, perhaps you would prefer it if I sat down, they do look lovely trousers and it would be such a shame ..."

ooh, boffinmum, I like that suggestion enormously...

Replying to an old post but just wanted to say thanks for all these comments. I'm 35 weeks and been feeling very down by the way I get treated when commuting by train into London and then by tube to Canary Wharf. I find it very stressful, and people can be so mean, literally pushing you out of the way to ensure they get a seat and then you are left awkwardly asking if anyone would give up their seat as you are pregnant. Some people are genuinely pleased to give up their seat, but the many negative responses or just being ignored is so hurtful and embarrassing. I think I find it so upsetting as I would always be willing to give up my seat to someone who needed it. At least by reading that other people have the same issues I will try not take it so personally!

I am 6 mts pregnant and I can (and often do) stand throughout my 25-30 minute commute. But I'd rather not feel so uncomfortable and have the blood pooling in my legs when a fit, healthy non-pregnant person could easily stand in my place. I wouldn't dream of taking a seat from someone who needed it more, and when I'm not pregnant, I always scan my fellow commuters to check there is nobody more in need, and that includes healthy-looking pregnant ladies! The "pregnancy is not an illness" attitude strikes me as selfish and horrible - what does it hurt to be just a bit considerate if you are fit and able to stand?

just realised this thread is ancient, so nobody cares any more...!

Comptoir - I have just read it for first time and have been disgusted at rudeness of people. Glad I drive to work!

It's such a shame, most of these stories! It is about courtesy - just having a bit of compassion for your fellow people. Pre pregnancy, I'd always jump up for a pregnant lady. Now at 25 weeks myself and commuting in from SE London to Central London on overground, then tubing it to the City, I've never once not been offered a seat. Every single time - it might not happen as soon as I get on but usually within a minute or so, someone has offered.

Sometimes I refuse it, but with a big "thank you so much anyway", because I would have sat down all the way in and sitting down for too long causes shooting pains in my tailbone so the standing is a temporary relief. But certainly on the way home, when I'm tubing back to my overground train, I usually take it. Most people look quite disconcerted at the refusal, like they really want to insist but I just smile and quickly explain that standing is better right now.

Most of the time I just hate the crush - bloody tourists with their massive backpacks, swinging around with no comprehension of spacial awareness banging into you. I hate those fuckers with a passion, much more than the people pretending to ignore you. Too many times now my bump has been banged into by tourists with little regard for fellow passengers. The people who are seated who pretend to not see you aren't actually hurting you and it can be rectified pretty quickly - a barge or a bang in the bump really makes me anxious and I just want to rip their stupid backpacks off them!