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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Your experiences of 'Baby on Board' badges

119 replies

Cherryblossom200 · 26/09/2014 16:34

Hi everyone,

I'm interested in hearing your experiences of wearing a baby on board badge? I've got a badge but haven't worn it yet, I'm just over 20 weeks now and have a rather large bump now so I don't feel comfortable being squished on the tube at rush hour. I've resisted wearing the badge up until now because I don't like drawing attention to myself but I think it's time I put my badge on now!

I'm finding that when people see my bump who are sitting in the designated seats for pregnant/elderly people they tend to ignore me but other people always offer their seat

Cherry x

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Bettycakes80 · 28/09/2014 21:56

People on the tube can be really thoughtless and bang into you and jostle you. Unless you get it everyday it's hard to realise just how hideous it can be. Since I've been wearing my badge people have been a lot more considerate and careful not to bang into me and my bump.

broodysnoopstie · 29/09/2014 08:47

I'm writing this sat down thanks to a man jumping up and offering me his seat when he saw my badge. If you commute in London and feel tired/nauseas/dizzy why wouldn't you wear a badge!

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 29/09/2014 10:41

As a tube user I think they are really handy. If you are sitting it's often very difficult to see if someone standing is pregnant so a glimpse of a badge is a huge help. Plus, if it's jammed you also have to holler down the carriage to offer the seat or someone will jump in it as soon as you lift a knee. Mortifying if that person doesn't need/want the seat.

TinyTear · 29/09/2014 11:06

Not read the thread but OP, I used to wear mine actually on my bump so it would be at eye level for the people sitting down...

fevdec · 29/09/2014 12:18

I commute to London from Hertfordshire and I saw a lot of “Baby on Board” badges on my train so it’s not purely London thing. I don’t wear one because there are always empty seats where I get on the train. But I think they are a good idea to help to encourages people to give up their seats without fear of offending sb.

IPityThePontipines · 29/09/2014 13:09

I don't live in London, but in a v large city, which also has similar badges.

The badges weren't around for my first pregnancy and I could've really done with one. Second pregnancy, I showed much earlier and never had a problem getting a seat, so didn't need one.

I think they are a very good thing, especially for those who are having tougher pregnancies and detest the idea that they are "princessy" or "entitled" in any way.

That attitudes like that are expressed on a site dedicated to mothers makes me despair.

BanglesSpangles · 29/09/2014 13:14

It definitely definitely isn't princessy- Anyone that's been on the central line at rush hour will know that you can barely move your own head, let alone spot someone with a bump

That said, I think you'd have to be near enough to the seat area for someone to offer you a seat- I doubt the 50-odd commuters sandwiched in by the door are going to be able to do anything much to move out of your way to let you get to a seat, even if someone did offer you one!

WorkFreeWannabe · 29/09/2014 13:15

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and still commuting 40 minutes by tube into the City albeit for one more week.

I'm very petite and ALL BUMP so there is no mistaking I'm pregnant and even wear two badges! I rarely get offered a seat and if I do it will be a woman who's in the middle of the carriage. The men in the priority seats instantly become very sleepy or blind as soon as I get on.

I have considered asking but I'm too much of a wimp, after a colleague told me she witnessed a pregnant lady asking a suited and booted type for a seat, only to be told 'No, it's not a disease or an illness - you made a choice'. I would be absolutely mortified so now I'm too scared to ask in case that happens to me.

Normally I wait for an emptyish tube so I don't get squished, but some days I don't have a choice. One day I did get on a busy tube and had a guy rest his rucksack on my bump. I shoved him away really hard away with both hands. He did notice as he looked over his shoulder at me, but not a word. I have never physically pushed anyone like that before, but my mothering instincts took over. I was so shocked at my reaction

Although my faith in humanity was restored last Thursday when a man shouted at the guy seated in a priority seat "Oi You! get up and give this lady a seat!" He moved grudgingly and I was quite embarrassed but I took the seat anyway

Moan over.....

BanglesSpangles · 29/09/2014 13:37

workfree unbelievable! I've not asked for a seat because i feel too shy about it, but genuinely didn't expect that if I'd ask there'd be a possibility of getting a refusal!

TinyMonkey · 29/09/2014 13:38

WorkFreeWannabe, just ask! People who would refuse are few and far between, and tbh if another tube user heard someone refuse they would probably jump up and offer their seat instead.

If I came up against a refuser, I'd ask them to turn around and tell me exactly what the priority sign said. I almost had to the other day, but I think my furious stare did the job for me.

Redpriestandmozart · 29/09/2014 13:47

I only wish I could have a badge for my disablilty, because I am not in a wheelchair and I can look OK some days I would rarely get offered a seat :( I suppose that would be very non-PC to have a disabled person with a badge even though I have this for life not 9 months!

DecaffTastesWeird · 29/09/2014 14:38

Redpriest I was wondering this myself. Why aren't there badges for those who need a priority seat for reasons other than being pregnant?

WorkFreeWannabe I heartily agree with TinyMonkey. That is a bad story about your friend and clearly the person that said that to her was a complete a*se, but I wouldn't assume that everyone else on the tube is equally unpleasant. Most human beings are decent, whether you are in London or elsewhere (and yes I do use the tube). A decent person would be ashamed to say anything like that and if anyone did, there would most likely be a decent person next to him who would offer you their seat.

minipie · 29/09/2014 14:39

You know what Redpriest, I was just thinking this morning that there should absolutely be an "In need of a seat" badge for people with hidden disabilities which make standing harder.

I'm not sure that it's non PC any more than a parking blue badge is non PC? Nobody would be forced to wear one, it would just be an option if people wanted. In some ways it could be quite beneficial in terms of raising awareness of the fact there are plenty of hidden disabilities out there.

I'm not sure what would be the best thing to put on the badge though. "In need of a seat"? "Seat appreciated"?

I guess the other issue would be that it's harder to "verify" than pregnancy - I mean with pregnancy there's usually a bump! - whereas a badge for people with hidden difficulties standing might be more open to abuse by people who don't actually need it.

BeginnerSAHM · 29/09/2014 14:43

Hmm. I wear one to commute and have a very obvious large bump - they didn't have them when I was pregnant with babies one and two. Found that people still suddenly shut their eyes or are glued to their phone when they are sitting in priority seats and I'm near (and in clear view)! That's not always the case but more often than not. Of course, they could genuinely be tired... I find that on thameslink trains (packed in the mornings) I very rarely get offered a seat (90% of the time i stand). Often have to sit down on a bench at the platform at city thameslink when I get off as I feel so breathless/dizzy. Not a fan of commuting when pregnant at all... Hate it!

TinyTear · 29/09/2014 14:45

As a fellow city thameslink user I know how full they can get... usually stick to the middle of the train as it is a bit more empty...

Redpriestandmozart · 29/09/2014 14:52

Unfortunately a disabled badge would be open to abuse, I suppose I could always take my blue badge parking with me, sort of hang it round my neck like those dogs that have been shamed!

BeginnerSAHM · 29/09/2014 14:54

Tried that Tinytear! Seems a squash whichever section I get on. But I'll try hauling myself a bit further up the platform tomorrow just in case! Other option is to go in to london bridge but that is a nightmare too at the moment. Roll on maternity leave...

TinyTear · 29/09/2014 15:06

Depends on if you are coming from north or south but getting in at king's cross I get close to where the hordes leave the train for the escalators there... (apologies for 'derrailing' your thread OP)

Original poster

Cherryblossom200 · 29/09/2014 15:08

I think this thread is proving just how important the badges are and highlighting how ignorant people are towards pregnant women. I'm truly shocked by some people's reaction about being asked for a seat I do wish that one day a pregnant lady would one day throw up on men like these, that will teach them

Last week I saw a woman with a 6 month(ish) old baby hanging on with one arm to a rail on a packed tube. Woudl anyone offer their seat to her, nope. So I interved and asked the teenage school girl sat in the priority seat to give up her seat which she did grudgingly.

OP posts:

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