Commuting on mass transit while pregnant

Helenahhandbasket · February 2013

Hi Ladies-- I am not currently pregnant, but DH and I are thinking we will TFAS sometime in the next 4-6 months.

Since I have had DD, my office has relocated. Our old location was drivable for me and had a parking garage for the resident employees of the building. We are now in NYC, and I live in a suburb of NYC, so my commute is fairly simple with the help of a train.

Here's my weird, over thinking and getting ahead of myself question. Those of you that have had experience with commuting using mass transit while pregnant, how difficult was it (physically) for you? My train is really crowded and there are stairs everywhere. I worked until the very end with DD (she was born on a Monday and I was at work the preceding Friday) and would want to do so with any future pregnancy, but I remember having difficulty getting around the last month.

Any advice or experience? TIA.

edit: wording

michaelaskedlauren · February 2013

I do the NYC commute as well. With DS I only remember being really uncomfortable weeks 35 & 36 (I delivered at 40 weeks, 4 days). During those times I just took my time and didnt feel bad if I needed to take the bus 10 blocks vs walking.

I did find, however, that since people these days tend to have their noses in their blackberries I wasnt offered a seat as often as I had originally anticipated. By the end though, I had no shame and just asked someone for their seat. Once they saw my big belly, they jumped right up.

So I guess my advice would be 1) dont be afraid to ask someone for a seat; 2) there is no shame in having to take the bus vs walk; and 3) remember that there are elevators (even if they are slow!).

aglenn · February 2013

I am in the Seattle area and commuted via bus through both pregnancies. Like pp said, I was really surprised how infrequently someone would give up a seat for a huge pregnant lady....and if someone volunteered it was often a woman. Aside from that, it wasn't a big deal. Seattle is very hilly and it did get harder toward the end, but there was no avoiding that as I would have to walk around town to meet with clients, etc. as well. I just had to plan extra time and know I would be moving slowly during third tri. I figure it helped me get in a little extra exercise, which isn't a bad thing.

Helenahhandbasket · February 2013

michaelaskedlauren:
I do the NYC commute as well. With DS I only remember being really uncomfortable weeks 35 & 36 (I delivered at 40 weeks, 4 days). During those times I just took my time and didnt feel bad if I needed to take the bus 10 blocks vs walking.

I did find, however, that since people these days tend to have their noses in their blackberries I wasnt offered a seat as often as I had originally anticipated. By the end though, I had no shame and just asked someone for their seat. Once they saw my big belly, they jumped right up.

So I guess my advice would be 1) dont be afraid to ask someone for a seat; 2) there is no shame in having to take the bus vs walk; and 3) remember that there are elevators (even if they are slow!).

LOL-- thanks. Yeah I did sort of figure I would have to fend for myself when it comes to getting a seat.

I appreciate the advice/ comments!

rockychryslerb2010 · February 2013

I started working remotely and from a smaller office a year before getting pregnant, but I was still commuting to our NYC office 3-4 times a month while pregnant. In the early months, I didn't really do anything differently. In the later months, the only thing I did differently was how I approached the change from Amtrak to Subway. I waiting for an uncrowded E train (hard to find during rush hour!) and took the escalator more. I wasn't afraid to ask for a seat, if I felt i needed one.

I stopped commuting around 36 weeks at the advice of my doctor. Weeks 34-36 I was really uncomfortable and the subway rush was too much for me, so I actually took a cab from Penn Station to my office. I was huge and people are rather rude in the rush to the subway platform.

Helenahhandbasket · February 2013

rockychryslerb2010:
I started working remotely and from a smaller office a year before getting pregnant, but I was still commuting to our NYC office 3-4 times a month while pregnant. In the early months, I didn't really do anything differently. In the later months, the only thing I did differently was how I approached the change from Amtrak to Subway. I waiting for an uncrowded E train (hard to find during rush hour!) and took the escalator more. I wasn't afraid to ask for a seat, if I felt i needed one.
I stopped commuting around 36 weeks at the advice of my doctor. Weeks 34-36 I was really uncomfortable and the subway rush was too much for me, so I actually took a cab from Penn Station to my office. I was huge and people are rather rude in the rush to the subway platform.

Luckily I am just a two block-ish walk from Penn, otherwise I am sure I would be getting my huge self in a cab.

This was actually another thing on my mind. Is this something all doctors recommend, or were you high risk?

rockychryslerb2010 · February 2013

Helenahhandbasket:
rockychryslerb2010:
I started working remotely and from a smaller office a year before getting pregnant, but I was still commuting to our NYC office 3-4 times a month while pregnant. In the early months, I didn't really do anything differently. In the later months, the only thing I did differently was how I approached the change from Amtrak to Subway. I waiting for an uncrowded E train (hard to find during rush hour!) and took the escalator more. I wasn't afraid to ask for a seat, if I felt i needed one.
I stopped commuting around 36 weeks at the advice of my doctor. Weeks 34-36 I was really uncomfortable and the subway rush was too much for me, so I actually took a cab from Penn Station to my office. I was huge and people are rather rude in the rush to the subway platform.
Luckily I am just a two block-ish walk from Penn, otherwise I am sure I would be getting my huge self in a cab.
This was actually another thing on my mind. Is this something all doctors recommend, or were you high risk?

I think all doctor's will say the same thing, but the timing might differ. I live outside Baltimore, so commuting took me 3 hrs from home. My doctor wanted me to stay within 90 min of the hospital from 37 weeks on. I asked for 36 weeks because I was so uncomfortable (I had an 11+lb baby) and the thought of going into labor in NYC terrified me!

Helenahhandbasket · February 2013

rockychryslerb2010:
Helenahhandbasket:
rockychryslerb2010:
I started working remotely and from a smaller office a year before getting pregnant, but I was still commuting to our NYC office 3-4 times a month while pregnant. In the early months, I didn't really do anything differently. In the later months, the only thing I did differently was how I approached the change from Amtrak to Subway. I waiting for an uncrowded E train (hard to find during rush hour!) and took the escalator more. I wasn't afraid to ask for a seat, if I felt i needed one.
I stopped commuting around 36 weeks at the advice of my doctor. Weeks 34-36 I was really uncomfortable and the subway rush was too much for me, so I actually took a cab from Penn Station to my office. I was huge and people are rather rude in the rush to the subway platform.
Luckily I am just a two block-ish walk from Penn, otherwise I am sure I would be getting my huge self in a cab.
This was actually another thing on my mind. Is this something all doctors recommend, or were you high risk?
I think all doctor's will say the same thing, but the timing might differ. I live outside Baltimore, so commuting took me 3 hrs from home. My doctor wanted me to stay within 90 min of the hospital from 37 weeks on. I asked for 36 weeks because I was so uncomfortable (I had an 11+lb baby) and the thought of going into labor in NYC terrified me!

Wow-- you are a rockstar!

Got it, and that all makes sense.

Thanks again for the responses ladies!

QueSrah · February 2013

I was taking mass transit when I was first pregnant, and my biggest issue was the standing around waiting for my bus and then for the train. I finally switched to driving when I was 5 months pg because I was having back and leg issues with the standing around. Getting a seat on the train itself was less of an issue for me - it wasn't always jam-packed when I got on, and could usually get a seat if I needed to. I don't remember the stairs (actually, walking up or down the escalators) being a problem at all.

If driving isn't an option, then you just make it work. It's hard to come up with a solution for a problem that doesn't exist yet - you just can't guess what little thing might drive you over the edge. I wouldn't worry too much about that just yet.

MaggieF516 · February 2013

I took a shuttle to the train station everyday and then took the train into Boston while I was pregnant. In the first and second trimester, I would get really hot/nearly pass out on several occassions on the train or shuttle from possibly low blood pressure, but it did eventually go away.

I found that people always offered a seat for me when it was obvious that I was pregnant. I had no problem standing, but people were always insistent on offering their seats and normally wouldn't take no for an answer if I declined.

You can definitely get out of breath on stairs, so that could be a bit problematic. I dreaded going up the stairs to the train platform everyday!

I even took the train in on the day I went into labor 5 days before my due date so it is definitely possible! A little physical exhausting, but it can be done.

MrsWindyCity · February 2013

I'm in Chicago and take the train to work. I did with my first and do currently, at 37w. It's not a big deal really at all. I do get on at an early stop, so there is always a seat, but when I get on later or it's crowded, people pretty much always offer one up. The stairs can be tough - I don't remember them being too bad with my first pregnancy but this pregnancy I get winded a lot easier. It's not a huge deal, though. Truly the only thing I hate about PT while pregnant is in the winter, when it's slick out, because I need to walk to the station and am always worried about falling. Otherwise, NBD (and I worked until I delivered with DS, and plan on doing the same this time around).

MrsWindyCity · February 2013

Helenahhandbasket:
rockychryslerb2010:
I started working remotely and from a smaller office a year before getting pregnant, but I was still commuting to our NYC office 3-4 times a month while pregnant. In the early months, I didn't really do anything differently. In the later months, the only thing I did differently was how I approached the change from Amtrak to Subway. I waiting for an uncrowded E train (hard to find during rush hour!) and took the escalator more. I wasn't afraid to ask for a seat, if I felt i needed one.
I stopped commuting around 36 weeks at the advice of my doctor. Weeks 34-36 I was really uncomfortable and the subway rush was too much for me, so I actually took a cab from Penn Station to my office. I was huge and people are rather rude in the rush to the subway platform.
Luckily I am just a two block-ish walk from Penn, otherwise I am sure I would be getting my huge self in a cab.
This was actually another thing on my mind. Is this something all doctors recommend, or were you high risk?

My doctor has never said anything about not commuting on the train after a certain amount of time. I also take the train to her office, hah. That said, my work is not terribly far from my house and it's even closer to the hospital, so it's not a big deal even if I go into labor.

Dochas · February 2013

I stopped working at 36 weeks too and it would have been very hard for me for longer. But it was July during a bad summer, I had sciatica and a huge baby on a small frame. 2 women I worked with worked right up until the baby was born. There's no way to say for sure. Maybe plan to go out early if need be and hope for the best.

KathrynMD · February 2013

I commuted via subway my whole pregnancy - I don't remember anything specific, but I'm sure I drove a few days at the end and a few days when it was just hot. I never had a problem getting a seat - people were pretty decent about it.

bhjones1980 · February 2013

I work in DC and live in Northern VA, my commute is about 90 minutes each way with parking at the lot, waiting 10 minutes or so for the bus, bus ride, and then about 5 block walk to work.

I haven't had any issues so far. And have been given a seat when needed.

Strunella · February 2013

I commuted into NYC when I was pregnant with DS (3+ hours round trip). My doctor told me to stop commuting about 3 weeks before my due date if I wasn't up to it, but for the most part, I felt ok. I also split my time between our NJ office, so it wasn't that big of a deal for me to stop the NYC commute.

I'm sure you know this already--the train is fine when everything is running smoothly but can be HELL when there's a problem. I had a total meltdown one night when I got to Penn Station after working late, 9 months pregnant, exhausted from a long day, and hungry only to find out that the trains were cancelled due to some problem. Everyone had to take the PATH to Hoboken and then transfer. I seriously cried on the way to the PATH station and that was the end of my commute to NYC as a pregnant lady. I just didn't have it in me to go through a bunch of train drama just to get home.

I will say that TONS of people offered me their seat on the subway (men and women). The one time the NJ Transit train was packed, a nice man also offered me his seat. So there are still plenty of nice folks out there!

rockychryslerb2010 · February 2013

Strunella:

I'm sure you know this already--the train is fine when everything is running smoothly but can be HELL when there's a problem. I had a total meltdown one night when I got to Penn Station after working late, 9 months pregnant, exhausted from a long day, and hungry only to find out that the trains were cancelled due to some problem. Everyone had to take the PATH to Hoboken and then transfer. I seriously cried on the way to the PATH station and that was the end of my commute to NYC as a pregnant lady. I just didn't have it in me to go through a bunch of train drama just to get home.

I used NJ Transit for three years to commute to my office. I do not miss it one bit! I'm pretty sure I ended up crying due to delays or stuck on a train when not pregnant! I might have happened multiple times, but I remember having to get to do path to hoboken to NJ transit. I remember wanting a drink when I finally got home!

jteneback · February 2013

I honestly think the physical demands of the commute was part of why my DD came early. It is clear in hindsight I wasn't listening to my body. I also have a kind of a tough time carrying in general, though.

This time I will be working more from home after 30 weeks. I am already waiting in line for the elevator to get off the platform and take the escalator out of the station. Later on I think I may also take a cab to the office vs. climbing subway stairs or walking a mile.

So my advice is listen to your body and make accomodations as needed, including WFH.

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