Pregnancy TTC

Why don't TTC riders give pregnant women their seats?

I love the TTC. We're a one-car house and I want to stay that way. That means me riding the red rocket every day. Even during my first maternity leave I hauled my newborn all over the city on the rocket. He loved it and so did I (no torturous screaming car rides... I even nursed him on the subway once, much to the amusement of the 16 year old boys sitting across from us). We live on St Clair West and I love the dedicated streetcar line that is always harangued in the press. However, I have one major complaint. If I don't voice it I will turn it to THAT crazy lady on the subway.

TTC riders need to get off their asses and offer pregnant women seats.

If you aren't sure if a woman is pregnant, here are some clues:

  • If you can see her belly button through her clothes, she's pregnant.
  • If she's rubbing holding touching her belly, she's pregnant.
  • If she's slender everywhere except her stomach, she's pregnant.
  • If she makes desperate and/or rage-filled eye contact with you, she's pregnant.
  • If she's walking with her pelvis out and her hands on her back, she's pregnant.
  • If she's on her phone complaining to her friends about how no one offers pregnant women seats anymore, she's pregnant.

If you still aren't sure, just move. Don't even say anything to her. Just open that spot up.

And when your streetcar or subway comes to a stop, take a quick glance up from Fieldrunners or Fifty Shades - see any elderly people or pregnant women? No? Well, at least you checked.

Why should you offer a pregnant woman your seat? Other than basic etiquette you mean? Okay. When you're pregnant, even in early pregnancy, standing in one spot even for short periods of time can make you feel dizzy, faint and nauseous. Not to mention that with these new bodies our balance is off and we're more likely to tumble into someone's lap.

Thank you for listening.

This post was written by guest contributor Yasmine Abbasakoor. Photo by tapesonthefloor in the blogTO Flickr pool.


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