Pregnant Woman Faints On Train After She Was Denied A Seat

Jul 27, 2023

Giving up one’s seat on public transport, for example, on a train, used to be the order. People used to compete to be the ones to offer a seat to someone they perceived needed it. Moreover, most public transport vehicles have designated priority seats for pregnant women, old or injured people, and people living with disabilities so that they can have a comfortable experience during their rides. In cases where the priority seats are filled, it is usually expected that someone will offer their seat to whoever needs it at that moment. 

However, people are increasingly declining to give up their seats in recent times. This occurrence can be attributed to many reasons, including the rise of what many call toxic feminism. For some, the fear of being snapped at or accused of alpha masculinity can make them stop short of offering a woman a seat. 

According to the BBC, others have also been accused of insensitivity while offering a seat because the person standing wanted to stand to enable their meals to be digested. Meanwhile, sometimes, people can refuse to offer up their seats because they are waiting for the other person to do so. There are also instances where people can decline to give up their seats even after being asked. Ultimately, whatever the case may be, sometimes people who need priority seats don’t get it, which can cause trouble. 

This was the case with a pregnant woman who asked fellow passengers on a train for a seat, but they declined, and she fainted when she could no longer bear the pressure. The bewildered woman took to Mumsnet on July 18, 2023, to ask if she was being unreasonable for expecting people to give up their seats to pregnant women. 

A pregnant woman asked on Mumsnet on July 18, 2023, if she was wrong to expect to be offered a seat on the tube while pregnant.  

“Travelling at least twice a day with changes in London, and I’m noticing that it’s less and less common to offer a pregnant woman a seat,” the woman started. 

She added that she never experienced this phenomenon during her earlier pregnancy. The original poster (OP) stated that she is 34 weeks gone with a sizable bump. She also wears a badge. 

She further explained, “I get really faint in stuffy, busy spaces ie standing on a busy tube.”

OP shared that she asked for a seat after feeling dizzy. 

“I asked the people who were in or near the priority seats but they all pretended not to hear me ask about 3 times and then I fainted so that really put me off asking in future,” she disclosed.  

The responses to OP’s question were divided. Some believed that she shouldn’t have to stand, while others believed that she shouldn’t feel entitled. 

“How do you know that those people don’t need the seats themselves? If you need the seat then you need to ask, but you’re unreasonable to expect to be offered,” a user responded. 

“YABU. Its a minefield a lot of people would be offended by being offered,” a third person answered. 

Someone reasoned with the OP and wrote, “Just ask, people rarely say no, but yes you should be offered.”

Another person wrote, “People are a bit oblivious a lot of the time so would absolutely ask but I think people should offer.”

Another person agreed, “It’s been like this for quite a while now, people are insular and selfish, especially on public transport.”

What do you think of the woman’s situation? Do you think she was right to have expected a seat? Have you been offered or denied a seat before? Let us know — and pass this article on to friends and family members.