Are you pregnant and taking the bus in a busy city?

malinoismom

Are you pregnant and taking the bus in a busy city?  How do you deal with the smog and smokers at the bus stop?  I try to stay at least 20 feet away from the smokers while waiting for my bus, but I can still smell it.  I can't help but worry if it's hurting my baby.  It is so hard when a smoker sits beside me, I have to switch seats.  Right now it's easy for me to move around the bus, but when I'm further along, I have no idea what I'm going to do.  I'm thinking, "should I get a SARS mask?"  Recently I got onto a brand new bus, and the "new bus smell" (plastic) was so strong, I had to switch seats.  If I get on that new bus again, I'm getting right off and waiting for the next one.  Any tips? 

We don't have a train system in Seattle and I cannot afford parking in my building.  

EliseJacqueline

I used to live in Seattle too! I miss it so much!!!! 

I took the bus all the time when I was pregnant with #2 and took the MAX in Portland when I was pregnant with #1 - who can afford the parking?? Not me!

The smokers at the bus stops are annoying, but I really doubt it is enough second hand smoke to really cause any problems. After the first trimester the smells shouldn't bother you as much as they do right now. And again, I doubt it is enough exposure to cause any real harm.

The worst part, for me, when riding the bus while pregnant was all the rude able bodied people that sat in the priority seating and would not give up the seat when the bus was overly crowded. Being in the third trimester trying to hold my balance standing on the bus, especially when I had my two year old with me was very difficult.

Good luck and Go Hawks!

malinoismom

It's so nice to hear from someone who has been in my shoes.  Thank you for your encouraging words.  I appreciate the heads up regarding the priority seating.  I look forward to when I don't have this sense of smell anymore.  I can smell everything, and everyones' breath, it drives me crazy.

LizaKate1213

A few minutes of outside, ventilated second hand smoke is not going to do any harm. Neither will sitting next to a smoker for a few minutes. The smell of plastic, while unpleasant, again is not going to do any harm. Being pregnant can be anxiety provoking and cause us to over think everything, but we only have control over so much. Try to focus only on those things that you have control over and let go of the rest.