The Rights of a Pregnant Lady

Do pregnant women get treated differently than other, non-expectant women? Should they?

I often feel that they should be treated better, their bodies are going through a lot at the moment. Not to mention their emotions and thoughts running wild as they try to prepare for their child to be born.

Yesterday, I was on the Muni (public transportation for all you non-city folk). The car was pretty full when I got on so I was standing. I was fine with that, but I wished that any one of the three young guys sitting right in eye-line with my protruding belly would have offered me a seat. I wasn't feeling the best. I would have been so thankful. But they didn't. Not one of them even made eye contact.

Then a seat right behind me opened up. I noticed an elderly man in a well tailored suit eying it from across the way but he made no move to take it, so I did. As soon as I sat down, I noticed that he had started his way toward it, so I stood up and offered it to him. Either he didn't hear me or he ignored me . . . and then he gave me the evil eye and mumbled something under his breath as he walked away.

I could have chased him down and gotten his attention. I felt guilty for taking it. But at the same time, I was so glad to sit down, however briefly the rest of my ride was going to be. So I stayed.

Half the time, I want to wear a sign that announces my pregnancy so people might give me a seat. Sometimes I sit in the seats reserved for the disabled because although I know I'm not disabled, I'm bearing an extra few pounds and my back aches and my feet are swelling and I just might vomit if I don't. But then I get looks.

I know I don't look super pregnant right now, I'm not super pregnant. Honestly, when I really felt like I needed a chair was before I started to show at all. You know, during those rough first-trimester mornings. But I never said anything. I didn't want the first people I told to be strangers on the bus.

What do you all think - is it okay for pregnant women to sit in the seats meant for disabled? Should I be able to ask others to give up their seat for me on those rough days? Or should I get over it?
I don't want to come across as "pity me, the poor soon-to-be-mother" or like I deserve the royal treatment. I'm more curious what others really think. If pregnant women can ask for that type of kindness or not.

Do pregnant women get treated differently than other, non-expectant women? Should they?

I often feel that they should be treated better, their bodies are going through a lot at the moment. Not to mention their emotions and thoughts running wild as they try to prepare for their child to be born.

Yesterday, I was on the Muni (public transportation for all you non-city folk). The car was pretty full when I got on so I was standing. I was fine with that, but I wished that any one of the three young guys sitting right in eye-line with my protruding belly would have offered me a seat. I wasn't feeling the best. I would have been so thankful. But they didn't. Not one of them even made eye contact.

Then a seat right behind me opened up. I noticed an elderly man in a well tailored suit eying it from across the way but he made no move to take it, so I did. As soon as I sat down, I noticed that he had started his way toward it, so I stood up and offered it to him. Either he didn't hear me or he ignored me . . . and then he gave me the evil eye and mumbled something under his breath as he walked away.

I could have chased him down and gotten his attention. I felt guilty for taking it. But at the same time, I was so glad to sit down, however briefly the rest of my ride was going to be. So I stayed.

Half the time, I want to wear a sign that announces my pregnancy so people might give me a seat. Sometimes I sit in the seats reserved for the disabled because although I know I'm not disabled, I'm bearing an extra few pounds and my back aches and my feet are swelling and I just might vomit if I don't. But then I get looks.

I know I don't look super pregnant right now, I'm not super pregnant. Honestly, when I really felt like I needed a chair was before I started to show at all. You know, during those rough first-trimester mornings. But I never said anything. I didn't want the first people I told to be strangers on the bus.

What do you all think - is it okay for pregnant women to sit in the seats meant for disabled? Should I be able to ask others to give up their seat for me on those rough days? Or should I get over it?
I don't want to come across as "pity me, the poor soon-to-be-mother" or like I deserve the royal treatment. I'm more curious what others really think. If pregnant women can ask for that type of kindness or not.