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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Londoners- when do you start wearing baby on board badge

108 replies

j200 · 05/05/2014 16:55

Hi
I have a one hour 15 min commute on the central line (one end to the other) and often don't get a seat/am squished for at least half my journey. Just wondered when everyone started wearing their badges? Still v early days for me but already feeling v tired- do you think 8 weeks is too soon? ( will remove before work )

OP posts:

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soundsystem · 05/05/2014 20:20

I wore mine from around 8 weeks because I felt awful (I'm 13 weeks now). Took it off when I got near my stop in case I bumped into anyone from work.

I hope when I'm visibly pregnant someone would be kind enough to offer a seat, but while I'm not and feeling awful it's been great. I've been offered a seat almost all the time. I have, however, looked pretty ill for most of the time, and was offered a seat one time when I forgot the badge so not sure what that says (I think it helps that I'm naturally very pale so when I feel queasy it's quite obvious as I go a weird colour!)

I'd say go for it! Without generalising too much, I've found there are certain people who are more likely to give up a seat than others, so figure out who these are on your commute and try to stand near them!

Heatherbell1978 · 05/05/2014 20:23

I think they're a great idea but I don't live in London so never seen them. I get the bus to work and it's always packed with teenagers at my stop going to school. Every morning I get on the bus trying to look as pregnant as I possibly can, every morning lots of people look around to see if there's a seat free (there never is) and then....nothing....even if there's no seats no one gets up!! It's almost as if they've acknowledged it by looking, then just get back to their own little works. Quite sad really.

time2deal · 05/05/2014 20:24

The truth is that people are a bit in their own bubble on the tube, and perhaps don't offer all the time. But if someone vaguely stands in front of you and gets your attention (especially in the reserved seats) and you see either a bump, or a badge, or a crutch, or an elderly person then people quickly stand up, normally apologizing. I've lived in London for 8 years and NEVER seen someone engage in an argument over giving a seat to someone who needs it.

Maybe we should all be constantly looking for someone more needy than us, but everyone can be tired, or absorbed in a book, or crushing some candies, and a subtle badge is a gentle reminder. Don't see why people get so het up about it!

ethelb · 05/05/2014 20:27

I have never been pregnant but just want to say as a LDN commuter I find them a godsend. I am REALLY unobservant but seem to notice these and not bumps.

Visability of the mid-line isn't good on a rammed train but I may notice a badge worn higher up (lapel for example) and know to give up my seat.

There have been PLENTY of times I have noticed a badge before a huge bump!

Agree with time2deal, generally people do give up their seats for people with crutches (I had to use them briefly and almost always got a seat). So try that if all else fails?!

FamiliesShareGerms · 05/05/2014 20:39

I see them almost everyday, and agree they are often more visible than a bump and I do also see people proactively offering seats to women wearing them.

I'd start wearing one at the point when I needed a seat

Gwlondon · 05/05/2014 20:42

It is up to you when you start. I didn't start wearing it till 3 months when I didn't mind who saw it. It doesn't always mean anyone will notice but it is useful. Sometimes it is awkward when you don't actually need a seat and the other person insists. Personally I think it is better to wear it because you don't know when you will get too hot or jostled. (I used to hate people getting too close and felt very vulnerable). Also coats hide everything. It wasn't until I was really big that I got offered a seat regularly.

Later on I completely changed my commute to a bus each way so I always got a seat but I was lucky to be able to do that.

Sareva · 06/05/2014 07:40

I never suffer from sickness in my pregnancies and did not show until about 20 weeks. I was physically fine so just stood when I couldn't get a seat. However, that all changed when twice in one week I was pushed (accidentally) and nearly fell, and barged into (by someone trying to get to seat before me!). So from then on (about 24 weeks) I wore a badge, in a mind the bump kind of way. If a tube comes along and it's packed or there are no seats, I will probably wait for the next one, or sometimes I go back a station or so to get on and get a seat. I'm a northern line commuter into the city and my commute is 40 mins, half of yours. Wear the badge if you feel like you cannot physically stand for the duration of your journey.

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 06/05/2014 07:56

I ordered mine last week and can't wait for it to come. I'm 12 weeks now and have sciatica so by the time I limp to the train I'm desperate for a seat. I think the badge will help and will also justify why I'm in a priority seat. It's an everyday thing in London and I think it's a bit odd no other places have them.
Although when ttc it did feel like they were everywhere!

Hazchem · 06/05/2014 08:12

I think I wore mine early on. Long commute. It didn't mean people offered me a seat but I felt more comfortable asking for one. I did have a strange moment once while maybe 71/2 month pregnant when no one else on the train notice an also quite pregnant women on crutches. I ended up giving her my seat.

I've kept my badge although no longer live in london and don't have a commute I might wear it when it gets to the stage when it look like I could be fat or pregnant.

SandwichBag · 06/05/2014 09:50

LOL at some of the comments... they must be jealous they didn't get a special badge :) Standing for an hour on a packed train is hell when you are 100% let alone when you are tired, hot and uncomfortable.

I wore mine from 12 weeks (once I'd told work as I get the train with several colleagues) and i'm still wearing it now at 23 weeks as when I have my jacket on, you cannot tell I am pregnant.

Most of the time I do get a seat as my stop is very far out, but at least once it gets packed and someone deserving of a seat gets on board, others are happy giving up their seat rather than expecting me too.

Fermin · 06/05/2014 10:12

Another London commuter here although I travel in from the burbs on overground. Badges are definitely the norm on my journey and they are very helpful when having the internal are they/aren't they debate. Focusing on the glint of a white badge is much easier than having your gaze obviously rest on a possible baby bump or not... When I was pg with DS a few years ago, I was too embarrassed to wear the badge and/or ask for a seat. I had quite a large bump so generally I was offered one anyway but when I found myself standing on the train in the middle of a heatwave a woman standing next to me hollered at the carriage to take notice and offer me a seat. Cue lots of people jumping out of their seats and one man yelling “why aren’t you wearing your badge?” Mortifying. I’m 5 weeks pg now and debating whether I will use it this time, it’s currently in my knicker drawer . Nevertheless, it does irk when you offer a badge wearer a seat and they decline you offer – why bother wearing it then? It just makes it look like a smug announcement. I’ve also seen women wear theirs on their belt area so it catches the eye of the shoegazers in their seats. I think that's probably taking it a bit too far.

JustGotMyBabyOnBoardBadge · 06/05/2014 10:29

Works a treat!! I get offered a seat all the time and given more space if not. I have had the worst first trimester ever so started wearing it early...found it even got people smiling at me and making polite conversation too. It's never too early when you feel rubbish!! Congratulations on your pregnancy

eurochick · 06/05/2014 10:33

fermin I decline a seat sometimes. My journey has more than one leg, e.g. I usually walk to the station but if I am carrying my laptop and files I will hop on a bus, but it is often more hassle than it is worth to get to a seat for a couple of stops if someone down the bus offers me one. But on the longer part of my journey, I would be grateful for one. And it stops me getting knocked on the crowded bus too. It's not about it being a smug announcement.

GwenStacy · 06/05/2014 11:03

I wore mine from pretty early on as I felt like death in the first trimester and had a long journey on an always packed picc line tube. I think when the tube is busy they're more noticeable than small bumps.

I have to say though, I had a man refuse to give me his priority seat once when I asked. His reasoning was that if I wanted a seat I should live far enough out to make sure I got one, rather than ask someone for their seat. After that I didn't have the guys to ask for a seat for the rest of my pregnancy.

JassyRadlett · 06/05/2014 11:14

I agree that as a commuter they're very useful and male colleagues and friends have in particular commented how brilliant they find them and the dilemma if someone's not wearing one. They are completely expected and normal.

I wore one from early on - bad morning sickness and my blood pressure was through the floor.

Quite amused by the responses of derision from non-Londoners. Are you the same people who say Londoners are rude and thoughtless?

Tweasels · 06/05/2014 11:15

I'm a Northerner and this is all new to me. I think the bigger issue here is why people are behaving like twats on public transport in the first place.

So many of you have said you choose to wear the badge to stop people barging and pushing you. They shouldn't be doing that anyway.

It sounds hideous, pregnant or not.

kalidasa · 06/05/2014 11:22

Definitely wear it. I had such a bad pregnancy that I was stuck in bed until the point at which I was very obviously pregnant AND on crutches. That got them leaping out of their seats I can tell you! So I didn't need one.

But also it helps other people help you. If I see a pregnant woman standing when I am standing myself I will always ask whoever's in the priority seat to stand up for her.

eurochick · 06/05/2014 12:16

Tweasels, when your tube/train looks like this some barging and pushing is par for the course.

blueshoes · 06/05/2014 12:24

To disbelieving non-Londoners, the clue is in the title.

This is London - ever been pregnant in London doing the daily commute on the Tube in rush hour? Guess not. Well, jog on.

Sweetdee6 · 27/04/2017 11:50

I personally think the badge is the best thing ever. I cannot stand people who sit in the "less able to stand" seats and fall asleep or refuse to make sure there are no other people coming on the train who need to sit down.

The badge helps people see that a woman is pregnant and therefore will give her space, not squish or push her as people get on or off the trains. It can be brutal during rush hour, I've seen fights break out!

Some of the comments on this thread are really strange, wearing a badge ironically? how are people so baffled by this concept that a pregnant woman wears a badge especially in winter or when its cold and a jacket covers the bump. How else are people supposed to know she's carrying a baby!

Power to the badge!

Faithless12 · 27/04/2017 11:55

Never. I ignore them. Seen too many women take them off and then doll themselves up and put their heels on etc.

Hotpinkangel19 · 28/04/2017 14:28

Are these badges available if you are visiting London for a few days and travelling by tube a lot?

SeatOfMyPants · 28/04/2017 14:53

They're really useful - I never wear to get a seat, but find people do watch your personal space more in very busy rush hour times.

I had to wear from 11 weeks as I was horrendously sick and the times I did make it onto the tube I carried thick plastic bags with me just in case. I figured people might be a little more sympathetic if I was sick into a bag on the platform if they knew I was pregnant and didn't assume I was an alcoholic or something!

Definitely a london thing. I accidentally left mine pinned to my coat when I drove to Dorset recently - got a hell of a lot of bemused looks at Fleet services.

You apply to TfL - doesn't look like you have to have a london addsrsss so just order if you'll think you will find it useful during a visit.

TriJo · 28/04/2017 15:33

Started wearing mine at 14 weeks - I had low blood pressure issues in my second trimester and the day I fainted at Angel on the Northern line only to come around to the morbidly obese woman in the priority seat laughing at me was the day I decided to start wearing it.

We're TTC #2 at the moment and would probably do the same thing next time.

Chamonix1 · 28/04/2017 15:45

Think it's a good idea so people take a moment before ramming into you, pushing you against tube doors etc so they can squeeze in. And yes, to be able to sit down in case you stumble when the train stops. I'm fat and struggle I'm now fat and pregnant so would struggle even more. The tube in rush hour is hell, but I still think I'd feel a bit silly wearing one.
"Get out your seat can't you see I'm pregnant" badge

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