Baby on board badges. Anyone use them?

[SunnyMami]

Thinking of ordering one as my commute is a nightmare. Anyone on here use them? Do people really notice and move for you? (I'll be on a train in the midlands). I've never actually seen one before however so was wondering if anyone had any experience. I'm only 15 weeks so don't necessarily need one yet but may do in the future...

They are commonplace in London but apparently not elsewhere and I think other passengers' (and posters') reactions tend to reflect this.

Where can they be ordered from? TFL?

I used one at the beginning but stopped using it when it became obvious.

Check the train company you use as some have their own badges now, not just TFL.

TFL ones you can just order online. Take a few weeks to turn up though!

Yes although possibly only to London and surrounds. My SE train company also has a version, though I've almost never seen anyone wearing one.

Honestly, I don’t think I’d even register you were wearing one (not in London here)

Oh really @60sname ? I haven't given it much thought - one of my colleagues just suggested it to me so I figured I would ask. @Harebellmeadow I think you just order it online. I haven't looked in to it however. I'm in the midlands so can't advise re London!

@PotteringAlong well I was wondering this. I would have no issue in asking someone to move of course however it might make it less anxiety inducing to ask if you have a badge on too! I think I would be worried to ask someone to move in case they were also in need of a seat for a reason I wasn't aware of. Having a badge on might just make it that bit easier, as people may just stand if they are able to! But as you said, unlikely to notice. Hmm...

I’m only 7 weeks but could really use a seat at the moment. Nausea definitely worse on tube. If I get to 12 weeks I’m due to have a surgery and plan to get a badge to hopefully ensure I get a seat. At the moment I ask if needs be but am often met by snotty comments about my lack of a badge.

I wouldn’t notice either to be honest op, I was on the tube recently and only noticed someone was wearing one when another person got up to let her sit down and they were talking about it. I am not from London and only ever heard of them on mumsnet before that.

@Paranormalbouquet blimey! I can't imagine ever being snotty towards anyone because they asked for a seat! Mind you my commute is often 2 hours each way when I'm in a different office and end up standing the whole way anyway so don't often get asked... hmm, I'm getting negative vibes re the badge!

They're very common on the tube and I've never seen anyone refuse a seat for a pregnant woman!

@BIWI I stand every time I see a pregnant, disabled or elderly person struggling to find a seat, as do most others. Can't imagine not doing this!

In each tube train carriage there are two seats designated for those less able to stand - pregnant women, the disabled or elderly. I've often seen people sit there and not notice a pregnant woman (not difficult to do as everyone is buried in their book/paper/phone), but if they are asked, or even if they notice the badge, the seat is always given up.

It makes it a lot easier for pregnant women to ask if they have a badge, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, when it might not be obvious that you're pregnant.

I'm in London and wore one from 12 weeks onwards. I think they eliminate the potential awkwardness of someone not being sure whether they should offer their seat or not and get rid of the fear of offending someone who's not actually pregnant. I've finished work now but was always offered a seat. I would have asked had I needed one but the badge (and in time, the bump!) did its job and I was always offered a seat.

I've not seen them outside of London but good to hear that they do exist as for me they certainly made life easier.

I'm in London and have worn them in the early stages of all 4 pregnancies- I feel too awkward to ask someone to get up for me even if I am feeling very unwell so it takes away that aspect. They work really well on the tube but Ive never seen them used outside of London so not sure how effective they'd be

If they work well in London, why wouldn't they work elsewhere?!

I don't have one as not London based, not sure if one would have been useful when I visited last week though with my very obvious 36 week bump and I didn't get offered a seat at all, in fact I was shoved out of the way more than once getting on when looking for a seat, including one shove directly to the bump!

I think they’re a bit wanky to be honest. Just stand up, you’re pregnant, not disabled. (Sorry).

@J3551011 I understand that pregnancy is a choice and of course not a disability, but it does cause a lot of issues for a lot of women. I'd like to think that people would offer a seat to someone who needed it much more regardless of why! I can't imagine having to stand in the same place for two hours solid when 7 months pregnant. I'm not sure about the badge either but disagree that pregnant women shouldn't feel like they can sit.

It's not that easy to just stand up sometimes though is it? I'm getting extremely breathless in my pregnancy, especially in the heat of the underground. Sometimes if I can't sit I feel like I'm going to pass out!

I don't think you can order a free TFL badge to an address that isn't the SE so you might need to look into local alternatives/buying something similar.

I always feel like I commute in a different London when I read these threads - I don't wear a badge, but have been offered a seat every single time I've been on the tube since I've been visibly, unambiguously pregnant (about 24 weeks). The other day there were no seats on my train home so I just asked (the air in general, rather than a specific person) and four different people offered to move for me. I have been very lucky! I do wonder whether it's because I've only needed a seat since being obviously pregnant, though - I can imagine that a lot of people might (ignorantly) think that a woman with no bump didn't actually need the seat and so was being a bit precious (which is obviously wrong if you have bad morning sickness or dizziness)

I'm with you, Lisa. I often wonder about this mythical London where people are rude to you all the time, and push and shove other passengers/pregnant women. I travel to work every day on the tube and come home every day on the train. Both very busy lines/services - and I can honestly say I've never witnessed this. In fact, I'm often very surprised at how polite people are, considering that often the trains/carriages are so packed!

Very common in London. They’re easy to spot and, in my experience, ladies who wear them get offered a seat pretty quickly.

Bit sad imo.

Another snowflake !

@BIWI and Lisa I think people are generally polite and helpful but there’s always exceptions. I moved to London at 36 weeks pregnant (long story!) and as I was on maternity leave and not commuting didn’t get a badge, figuring I was pretty obviously pregnant at that point. Most of the time I was offered a seat no problem if I went anywhere. Tended to get bus as wasn’t rushing!

At 38 weeks I had to travel across London for an appointment. Trip back at a busy time was most of the length of the packed Piccadilly line; I wasn’t offered a seat and when I asked one wasn’t made available. I was really shocked to be honest- I was huge and had spd so standing was hard for me. I think it’s very unusual but it can happen!