Baby on board

Probably the worst thing about being pregnant and working in London is the public transport commute. For some reason (British reserve? Yes, I know I'm not actually British, but I've been here long enough to acquire some local habits) I just cannot bring myself to ask for a seat. And yet, on a crowded tube, after a long day at work, that's what I want more than anything.

That same British reserve, however, is what stops people from offering seats I think. "Hmm... is she pregnant? Or just fat? I wouldn't want to insult her... so I just won't say anything at all." So I stand, and sigh, and stick my belly out to make it look more pregnant-y, not just wobbly over-eating-y. And I've even taken to wearing this somewhat embarrassing Baby on Board pin Transport for London gives out to help my case.

Of course, for any of these tactics to work, I need to at least be standing somewhere near a seat, rather than in the crush near the door. In addition, fellow passengers need to actually be looking around, rather than the usual state of eyes-in-book/paper/magazine or vacantly looking nowhere in particular.

So, I stand for a few stops, and usually manage to nab a seat at some point in the journey when something opens up. Occasionally, though, the offer does come, and is gratefully accepted. Perhaps not surprisingly, it's pretty much almost women, and usually at least 30+ I'd guess. There are still a few months left for men and yoof to prove themselves, however, so we'll see how things go until December.

But I'll certainly be standing for any pregnant women I see in the future -- er, after I'm no longer one of them, that is!