Being pregnant is no mean feat. Pregnant women may experience physical discomfort, balance issues, or fatigue due to the changes in their bodies during pregnancy. And so, offering them a seat reduces the risk of accidents, such as falls or injuries, that could harm both the mother and the unborn child.
Pregnancy can be physically demanding, especially during the later stages when a woman's center of gravity shifts, and she may experience swelling, back pain, or dizziness. Sitting down can help alleviate some of these discomforts and reduce the risk of complications.
Offering a seat is a gesture of respect towards pregnant women, recognizing their unique needs and the importance of prioritizing their well-being. It fosters a culture of kindness and inclusivity in public spaces.
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By offering a seat to pregnant women, others are encouraged to be more mindful and considerate of the needs of vulnerable individuals in society. It sets a positive example of courteous behavior that can have a ripple effect, promoting a more caring and supportive environment.
However, it appears not everyone agrees.
A pregnant lady has divided the internet after complaining that it took 10 minutes for someone to offer her a seat on London's subway train, known as the tube.
Sophia Amelia, whose TikTok handle is @sophiaamelia92, posted a video on the platform, which has already been seen by over 300,000 people.
In the video, the mother records the inside the train as it travels through several stations. All the while, she is left standing.
She captioned the post: "Literally took me 10 minutes to get a seat this day. I have a baby on board badge and people very clearly DID see me, then quickly looked down at their phones. Eventually, a woman did offer me her seat but it's ALWAYS women that do, men avoid."
As part of the text overlay, Sophia penned: "POV [Point of view]: Commuting at 33 weeks pregnant, standing patiently waiting for somebody to offer me a seat."
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The video quickly went viral, sparking a debate in the process.
Disagreeing with the TikToker, one person wrote: "No one is obligated to give her a seat and she has absolutely no right to expect it or to whine about it. It's nice if someone does and she should be very grateful for it if they do but it's not anyone's fault that she got preggers. When I was preggers, not once did I ever expect anyone to give me a seat or go out of their way for me.. most I did was use it to ask for a drink on the plane."
Another added: "If I was pregnant I wouldn’t expect anyone to give up their seat for me, I’d happily stand! But if they did it would be nice."
Others were on Sophia's side, with one commenting: "I can’t believe how selfish people are."
This person added: "I’d always give my seat up and teaching my sons the same . It’s not just the mum but a baby - if the train suddenly braked both could be hurt so I always think it’s right thing to do."
