Am I being overdramatic?

[Pops1985]

I am 22 weeks pregnant and live in London. I commute in and the train line that I use has just been hideous lately, so many delays and cancellations. I usually get a seat but people are so pushy and aggressive that I often feel really jostled about and generally hot and bothered. I left home at 7.20 this morning and didn't get to the office until 9.40 (a journey of usually 45-55 mins), I wish this was just a one off. We hot desk so that means I don't get a normal desk due to capacity and have to go and sit in one of the 'free spaces' which is basically various sofas and tables dotted around the office. I have a high risk pregnancy but so far have been so lucky and felt so well. I just feel that whenever I get to work or home at the end of the day my blood pressure is through the roof, and this morning I got a bit weepy when I finally got to work.

My boss has been really understanding with all of the doctor/midwife appointments and is generally pretty supportive. I just don't know how I am going to do this nightmare journey for another 15 weeks.... am I being unreasonable? I know there are many women who probably have worse commutes and nightmare journeys, but its just really getting me down.

Any advice would be welcome, I don't know if I should approach work to try and amend my working hours (ie start earlier and finish earlier) or try and go for one day working from home... I just feel like they are going to roll their eyes and be like 'god just get on with it, women get pregnant every day'....

Women do get pregnant every day, but only a small number of those will have high risk pregnancies. Your journey sounds some way from "average" too. You aren't making a fuss. Talk to them about adjusted hours and working from home and see what they say. You have good reason in your particular circumstances for asking about some reasonable adjustments.

^^ what Gashley said. Sure they'd rather have you working but healthy and comfortable than starting leave early or off sick and so should make some adjustments. Xxx

Working without a desk for anyone is terrible. Surely the health and safety people have something to say about that?

Do whatever you need to do to make life easier. Seriously. It is not worth exhausting yourself. In your position I'd talk to your manager and explain everything and see what solutions they come up with.

You should have had a risk assessment done when they found out you were pregnant - which I am sure would have resulted in you needing a permanent desk - ask HR if you can.

Also definitely ask about wfh and shorter days - like pp have said, surely they would rather make small adjustments than have you signed off sick - especially if your pregnancy is high risk. I don't think you're being over dramatic (((hug)))

Thanks so much ladies. I spoke to my boss and basically agreed that he would be as flexible as needs be and that the most important thing is that I get my work done. Also spoke to our facilites manager about a desk assessment thing, so hopefully the end of hot desking! x