Any London commuters about?

[GingerDoodle]

Hi ladies

Just wondering if there way anyone else here who commutes into London and how you were finding it?

GD

I'd be interested to know when people start wearing their badges? I'm 10 weeks and feel horrific, pretty much all day long, but I don't feel comfortable wearing the badge yet as I'm not showing! I guess it feels odd declaring you're pregnant to the whole of London when you might not yet have told friends and your employer!

I have to say it was the main reason why I took early maternity leave for second child. I had to take the central line whilst pregnant with DS1 and it was the summer 2005, and the central line was shut and other trains were packed. I was so anxious about everything that I ended up taking an overground train and walking from Liverpool Street all the way to Holborn every day, even at 8 months pregnant. I couldnt handle the pushing, people being rude, everyone was on edge. Even though I was able to get a seat most of the time still the stress of the over crowding was really bad for me. I had a badge and put it on my backpack instead of the front of my clothes so that people standing behind me and might push be around would realise that I was pregnant! Wear the badge as early as you want to you donøt have to have a big bump to feel like crap and need a seat!

Sastra I haven't started to wear a badge (mostly because I do generally get a seat and I've not yet had to stand the whole way). But if you need to, I would get one immediately. I am about the same term as you and am also one of the unlucky ones feeling horrific all day, and the thought of not getting a seat is unthinkable.

Hope you start to feel better soon xx

Cochita, that was a huge manipulation of my words. Sometimes it's absolutely obvious you offer someone a seat, and in the case of a stumbling 90-year-old woman, as in your extreme example, any reasonable person would offer. I have never said I wouldn't offer someone, young or old, a seat, if they looked like they needed it more than me. But to moan about not getting a seat when you are perfectly capable of asking for one, is disingenuous. It's great when you're offered a seat, and like I said, I did the London commute myself so I know what it's like, but if you're not offered one and you need one, the reasonable thing to do is ask for one. If you're capable but not willing to do that, it's ridiculous to then moan about it.

The tube is foul on the best of days, having to use it whilst pregnant just makes it so much more stressful. As an australian living in London without English reserve i had no problem asking people for a seat when i needed it (e.g about to keel over at the end of the day). You had to ask, it was rare to have someone offer to give you a seat. To be fair alot of people have their heads down in a book or newspaper so they don't see you. Though after the joy of being refused the seat for less abled (i.e me at 7 months pregnancy) by a middle aged woman who told me to find somewhere else to sit, i relented at started taking the thames clipper to work. Now that's a great way to travel. My fellow passengers were very excited to meet my kids after getting to know us over the years.

When I commuted with my 1st DC I found I was always offered a seat - overground then underground. Unless you were standing at the end and couldn't be seen by those with a seat. But even then often people in between the standing/sitting area would alert someone sitting to a pg lady standing and I would be offered a seat. It was really nice actually - restored my faith in human kindness. Underground could be a bit pushy, but I just put my arms in a wide circle around my bump.

There wasn't bump on board badges a few years back - but I think they are a very good idea. Especially when worn in 1st tri when you don't show but might feel horrendous. I didn't actually have any morning sickness, but still felt a bit achy when standing and did feel faint one morning. I'm on high alert for pg ladies since being pg and always scan the area in case anyone needs my seat.

I'm 25 weeks and still cycling. The cycling bit is fine actually but have a brompton and don't enjoy carting up stairs! Other than that all good

I took the train from streatham to Victoria for 1st pregnancy, same train most days so after asking for a seat the first few times when I wasn't showing but was nauseous I always had someone on my carriage ready to get up when I got on, they kind of took it in turns!

2nd pregnancy I cycled til 7months, sooooooo much better than being barged around, walking to and from stations with SPD, dealing with smells etc. I was working at the globe do hot to cycle in the sunshine most days, did me the world of good (though did start taking the long way round after 4months, Brixton Hill was a killer!!)

I would always give up my seat for a pregnant woman but it is honestly very hard to tell in a lot of cases.

Woman sat opposite me last night and was on the phone telling her husband how her special 30 week scan had gone and I swear she didn't even look pregnant!

Either wear a badge or be prepared to ask. Even when you do look obviously pregnant, I, like many commuters totally zone out when I commute and probably wouldn't even notice someone dressed like a giant dildo unless tapped me on the shoulder!

foxinsocks I LOVE your post!!