Pregnant women on public transport

[acupofteamakeseverythingbetter]

Does anyone that commutes into London (or commutes anywhere for that matter) see many pregnant women on public transport?

I only ask as I'm increasingly concerned about travelling on public transport especially with this new covid variant and wondering whether I seem to be the only pregnant person commuting?

Have all the other women agreed with their employers to work from home?

Do I need to suggest this to my employer and take the risk of catching it whilst pregnant more seriously? Obviously I understand how serious it is and do everything in my power to stay safe ie have had my vaccines and wear masks etc but do you think I need to push back with my employer to see if I can work from home? I am only commuting in 3 days a week at the moment but am so worried about getting it especially whilst being pregnant.

Where are all my pregnant commuters? Xx

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@WorryMcGee sorry to hear that. Although I feel very uncomfortable around people without masks I understand some people can’t wear them. Why can’t you wear one?[/quote]
I mean, it’s private but I’ll tell you as it might help someone else - having my face covered by anything is extremely traumatic due to a past experience. I can’t catch my breath and I end up having a panic attack. I am off medication that alleviates this because I’m pregnant, so if I put one of the horrible things on I am more than likely going to have a panic attack which can’t be good for the baby.

I have also been asked in person to tell complete strangers this story and some have even asked me what the traumatic experience was (I assume so they can decide if it’s traumatic enough?) the ironic thing is, I keep my distance from others more than people with masks on; and if I’m on a train and someone with a mask gets on and looks uncomfortable about sitting next to me I move. I have gone into the toilet before. Yet the abuse is back - in person and online (especially here)

@WorryMcGee that’s awful, I’m so sorry you have to deal with all that. I think sadly there are lots of people abusing the fact that some people genuinely can’t wear a mask and it’s ruining it for everyone x

Could you wear a clear visor?

Also @Fet2021duejuly2022 - my husband can’t wear them for extended periods either anymore after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He wore them before without issue, now they trigger seizures. Last year he was wearing one in a bank queue and had one, I ran in and took his mask off and a woman actually shouted at me for doing so. Where’s the empathy? To look at him, you wouldn’t know he wasn’t “fit and healthy” either. We avoid going out anywhere together where masks are required now because people assume we can’t possibly both be exempt and must be making it up. I cannot wait for the damn things to become personal choice again.

@WorryMcGee that’s awful, I guess people are just afraid for their own health. I have never once questioned anyone for not wearing a mask. I just think most people aren’t genuine. Yes I agree I can’t wait for all this to be over. It’s affecting so many people in different ways.

@Fet2021duejuly2022

Could you wear a clear visor?

I don’t understand the point of those! They don’t cover your mouth. To be honest it’s got so bad out there I’d rather just stay away from people again :-( husband is practicing with a scarf over his face at home so fingers crossed we might make so progress there, and it’ll be easier for me when the baby is born as I can go back on medication. I know there are some people just not wearing one for the hell of it but some seemingly healthy looking people do have good reasons x

I think if you sneeze then a visor will help stop the spread of that. Best of luck though, it must be a difficult position to be in at the moment. Personally I hate wearing masks to, I get panic attacks and feel like I can’t breath with them sometimes. Also I get very out of breath in pregnancy and the masks feel like they restrict my breath.

I'm 19Weeks and commuting into London 2 times a week (I work in an office) wearing a mask throughout and sanitising after touching any surface,
Personally I feel fine doing it - I'm still going to the gym and seeing friends so class travelling in the same light. I take a LFT twice a week so am confident I don't have covid (nor have I throughout the pandemic).

Will re assess after Xmas/new year once I enter the 3rd trimester but for now London and me as a pregnant woman need to keep moving x

@wannabeamummysobad that’s great that you feel so confident 😊

@WorryMcGee I know there are some people with genuine exemptions and no problem there at all. But when 60-70% of a tube carriage isn't wearing them, it seems like a lot of people who just can't be bothered, as surely that percentage of people can't be exempt.

I wear a silk mask as they're meant to be the most effective for protection from studies, and also are light and breathable - makes me feel a bit better anyway!

@Fet2021duejuly2022 I guess it's that my mum is a midwife and stepmum is a obstetrics consultant - both worked in London throughout the pandemic sometimes on covid wards and never caught it even before vaccinations were available and now they are both boostered.
The thing I keep hearing from them is you can take precautions but can't halt your life.

This is my first pregnancy and both me and my DH are office workers so in theory I could hibernate throughout pregnancy but I don't think it would be good for my mental health.

Those with kids in nursery or school likely have more risk catching it from their non masked kids than being in ppe on the tube. Variants will continue to pop up but hopefully they'll cause less harm (hospitalisation, long Covid etc) even if they are more contagious. In the meantime, I'm making use of the free LFT, masking up and sanitising regularly (really don't understand those who touch the tube/bus then get off and remove their masks without sanitising 1st - asking for trouble) as these are best for me and baby.

I commute with my 15 month old DD to work/nursery 3 days a week and am 25 weeks pregnant. When I was pregnant last time I worked from home from 17 weeks but haven't been offered yet.
Should work offer I would have to decline as DDs nursery is next to my office so would have to drop her off anyway.
I'm triple jabbed, have also had flu jab some hoping that protects baby!
Just to add I live near a football ground so public transport can get super busy on match day!

@wannabeamummysobad yeah we have to live our lives but equally it’s good to be cautious when pregnant. Having had pregnancy complications and a loss in the past ( I nearly died twice!) I’m aware of how quickly things can go wrong I suppose. I’ve also heard reports of this new variant being bad for pregnant woman and under 5s so I’m feeling worried. I am also friends with nurses, consultants (who work on. Covid wards) etc and they say to be cautious and careful

@Fet2021duejuly2022 so sorry for your losses. I can't imagine what that does to you.

I hadn't heard about young children being more at risk - will definitely read into that before I spend time with cousins, nieces and nephews over the break. Mainly because I don't want them giving me any unwanted gift...

I do understand what you mean about taking precautions I guess I take the view that unless you are taking them in all aspects of life then why hone in on a commute. I have a friend who is due around the same time - works exclusively from home (so does her husband) , doesn't socialise, home food deliveries, doesn't have family/friends over etc, taken her first born out of nursery. She has overhauled her life because she's worried which I respect her decision. However if she was still seeing family and friends, had her child in nursery (kids always bring home some illness) but drew the line at commuting I admit I'd 🙄 because covid can't tell you are commuting as opposed to meeting people in confined spaces in other scenarios.

That being said I respect personal preferences and the fact there are so many unknowns.

My sisters pregnant. She's a doctor on a male psych ward so doesn't get the option of WFH.

@wannabeamummysobad I’m just trying to strike a balance really. I want to go into work (I don’t want to work at home) but I want my risk to be managed and at the moment it’s not at all. I think if I can be as careful as I can within reason then I’ll feel better.

@Courtier that’s awful. I would have thought they’d move her to a different role regardless of covid, considering it can be a dangerous job on a mental health ward. I know they do with female police officers who are pregnant.

www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/worrying-number-children-pregnant-women-hospital-omicron-surges/

@Fet2021duejuly2022 it's behind a paywall unfortunately

The telegraph is good but yes you do need to pay. I’m sure it will get published elsewhere at some point

Legally your employer has to do a risk assessment and if they can’t eliminate the risks by making adjustments such as wfh then you need to be suspended on full pay. Doesn’t matter what profession you are in. Having said that, I bet this never happens in practice as the risk assessment is done together and HR rely on you not being too bolshy and making demands. I have been in the office repeatedly exposed to people with covid all the way through even though it came up as high risk. I wish I had just said I am wfh but I wanted to show willing but have been so poorly all through my second trimester being exposed to horrible viruses. I have written to HR now and will be wfh after 28 weeks due to the risks in third trimester. I got wind that’s what other pregnant staff at my work do therefore, I have asked for the same. It’s a huge relief to know I only have a couple weeks left and my heart goes out to all the ladies battling through atm.

@Hotcrossbunsinbed sorry had to deal with all that. I went in to work last week and there were 5 of us in a tiny room - no windows, no ventilation, no masks and still no risk assessment!