Sitting upstairs on the bus?

[Triskaidekaphilia]

This is going to seem a really random question and also one which will be different for everyone- but those who would normally sit upstairs on the bus, when did you have to stop? I have ASD and even when there are seats I avoid downstairs because it feels crowded and so loud even with headphones on. I know there will be some who wouldn't risk the bus stairs at any point in pregnancy, and maybe even some who could manage fine until they went on maternity leave, but I'm curious. I'm 18 weeks and plan to work until 33 weeks, I've had quite bad pain in my sacroiliac joint every few days but I've found I can manage the stairs when sitting right before/after, in fact it's not as painful as walking down the street! Again, sorry for slightly silly question but I feel like if I could picture when this might change I would feel less anxious. DH has already gently reminded me we will have to sit downstairs with the baby too before anyone else points this out!

I’m 20 weeks and stopped going upstairs at 18 :)

There was a specific point for me when I felt like my balance became less good, when my bump properly popped. I stopped going upstairs at that point! I think it was around 20 weeks if that helps!

Thanks everyone, I might not have long then! I have a small bump but it hasn't really changed my balance or posture yet. My balance is already pretty terrible but at least I'm used to self-righting

I'm sure I sat upstairs much later- my eldest came out of the pushchair when I was pregnant last time, so was desperate to go upstairs! Also, you can go upstairs with a baby in a sling easily enough (obvs wouldn't bother for very short journeys)

Hmm, just saw your note re dodgy balance, maybe best take it easier then... noise cancelling headphones?? (I'm sure you've thought of that!)

I always sat upstairs till the end. More space and more likely to get a double to myself. Of course be very careful on the stairs and don’t let anyone rush you.

I say I have bad balance but I think I only think that cos I can't ride a bike I can easily stand on one leg, stay stable when standing on moving transport, tiptoe to reach things etc. especially in the last year when I've been going to the gym. Hopefully I can manage later like the two of you, I'm hoping I can manage 6 more weeks because after that I have 2 weeks off for easter. But I guess it depends when bump decides to really pop!

I'm at 29weeks and still sitting upstairs, dreading the idea of my 50min commute downstairs!

I think it just depends so much on you and how you carry. I don't think I got the bus in my last pregnancy but I would have been happy travelling upstairs if that's where the seats were to 41 weeks when I gave birth. I was still horse riding to 37 weeks and standing on crowded trains if I couldn't get a seat. I struggled with putting tights on and getting changed in the tiny cubicles at the pool because I thought I was going to fall. With the hand rail I would have been fine.
At the other end of the scale some unlucky women get pgp and have to use a wheelchair. Just listen to your own body and do what's comfortable for you. Good luck with your pregnancy.

In case anyone else ever looks this up, because I remember not being able to find anything about it when I started the thread, I was able to still go upstairs up until I finished work at 33 weeks, occasionally stayed downstairs when my pgp was really bad though. I last sat upstairs at 37 weeks but had to wait for the bus to stop moving to come back down. For the most part, journeys I've been taking since finishing work have been around lunchtime and the buses I've been taking have been very quiet, so I've coped ok with sitting downstairs. So it is a very individual thing. My bump looks huge from the side but doesn't seem to impact my walking at all.