second-tri suffering metro rider

[Anonymous]

In my 17th week, I am past the evening morning-sickness.
However, now my morning metro ride brings on general uneasiness, lightheadedness, dry heaves and wretching. (to be fair, the heaving begins with toothbrushing at home and just continues on through the metro ride)

Clearly, I am suffering from some delayed hormonal something, exacerbated by the metro... but wonder who out there has any tips out there for how to handle this situation.
(apart from ditching metro all together)

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

I feel your pain -- been there, done that (in fact, I ended up passing out on the metro when I was 8 mos. pregnant -- not fun).

Tips:

Take off your hat, gloves, scarf, and coat as soon as you get on the metro (or even better, right beforehand). I found that the heat and stuffiness exacerbated everything. Keep a cold bottle of water on hand. I know you aren't supposed to drink on the metro, but my plan was to plead a medical emergency if anyone tried to give me a ticket (ie: I'm x months pregnant and I felt like I was going to pass out, so I took a quick sip of water). Don't read while on the metro -- just close your eyes and enjoy some peace and quiet.

[Anonymous]

I had a rough 1st tri on the metro. All of the stopping and starting made me more nauseaus than I already was. I found that NOT looking out the windows helped a lot. Try focusing on a specific spot in the car you are traveling in. It might help.

[Anonymous]

First - don't be shy about asking for a seat - most people just have their heads buried in books/news and aren't paying attention. Say "Would anyone like to give up their seat for a pregnant woman?" Guarantee you'll get a seat.

Chew gum or suck on mints
Ride facing forward if possible
Follow 12:45 tips about being cool and having water
Try closing your eyes and listening to music

[Anonymous]

Metro is also KILLLLLLLING me. I'm also out of first trimester. I couldn't even ride it during first trimester, it was honestly not an option. For me it was the smell. There's this burning brakes smell that I noticed as soon as I'd get into the station and it would not let up. I've thrown up on metro more than anywhere else. Second trimester I can handle it, but like others have said, face forward, try to snack on something (I ate peanut butter crackers -- which I don't think anyone is eating right about now, but I'm sure you'll find something) and I also put my scarf OVER my mouth and nose so that the terrible smell of the metro is diminished as much as possible. (Unfortunately, this doesn't work as well with stinky passengers).

Good luck. Metro is not fun when you're pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I feel ya. This is why I drive ot work. Seriously. I tried it once and had to get off and collect myself at a few stops and then get back on the train.

[Anonymous]

During my first trimester, the lurching and rocking made me so super nauseous. Now, in my second trimester, the metro (whether the lurching or the lack of moving air) makes me lightheaded, dizzy, and queasy. Needless to say, I feel your pain!

I second the suggestion to remove your coat, scarf, gloves, etc. I didn't realize that I was getting overheated and that this made me feel even more lightheaded. I also second the suggestion to keep water with you. Don't be afraid to bend over if you feel really faint or nauseated - whether sitting or standing - to get your head close to between your knees. It really helped me not pass out several times. Finally, I stay close to the door when I don't see an open seat because I've had to get off of the train and sit on a bench in a station with my head between my knees. I usually find that by the time the next train comes, I feel good enough to get back on.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I had second trimester lightheadedness, dizziness, etc, but it turns out it was low blood sugar related. My doc recommended I carry peanut butter or cheese crackers, or nuts-- something with protein. I ate whenever I started to feel lightheaded and it helped a lot. No one ever said anything about me eating in the metro-- hey it's better than puking in the metro!

[Anonymous]

I always board the first car even though it is not very convenient for me, since I feel it is less crowded. I am now 9 months pregnant and I am sad to report that during these 9 months I have only been offered a seat TWICE! So, if you feel you need to sit, you should ask and not assume people will offer you a seat. Sad...

[Anonymous]

Sometimes people aren't even trying to be rude about not offering a seat. I'll never forget a time when I was in college. I was on a bus and my friend boarded along with her pregnant sister (visibly pregnant, though not 9 months). I was seated and they were not. I did not even think to offer her a seat until the bus hit a pothole and she stumbled. I felt like such a complete asshole and immediately offered her my seat. I absolutely would never mean to be rude like that -- I just didn't think. So hopefully those other people on metro aren't trying to be rude....maybe they're just dumb like I was. Asking for a seat would certainly be better than waiting to get jostled around until people noticed you were standing while they sat on their butts.

[Anonymous]

I luckily never had the nausea, but got really lightheaded/dizzy on the metro throughout my pregnancy. What helped me was not to look directly at the train while it was pulling in (something about seeing the cars whizzing by made me immediately dizzy), not to look out any the doors or windows while the train was moving, and not to read a book or magazine while commuting. I mostly just stared at my feet, turned up my iPod a little bit, and tried to forget about the lurching and rocking.

Hang in there!

[Anonymous]

so glad to hear I'm not the only person who has experienced this! Fortunately, I don't have to take the metro much, but twice in the last few weeks I've gotten nauseous while riding the bus and/or metro. I definitely think it was because I was overheating and/or trying to read instead of focusing on a point. When on the bus, I always try to get a seat and/or ask someone nearby to open a window a crack so I can breathe some fresh air -- it makes all the difference.

During the metro experience, I had to hop off and ask to use the bathroom. After hearing horror stories about gaining access to metro bathrooms, it was really comforting to have the station manager give me immediate access (I told him I was pregnant and not feeling well) and also inquire as to whether or not I needed medical help. Just a shoutout to the station manager for doing the right thing for a pregnant lady!

[Anonymous]

Its ghastly. I think we should all lobby Metro for better treatment!

I'm 8+ months, and still do not get offered a seat. I now go to the priority seats and say "excuse me young man / lady, these are priority seats, would you mind if I sat down - I'm 9 months pregnant...?".

Usually someone gets up, but last week two men were sitting there and starting looking around for the sign saying they had to give up their seats! Only when someone else down the carriage said "give the lady a seat" did someone stand up!

When I was about 6 months pregnant, I was standing and two elderly women entered the train. I had to ask some kids to give up their seats for the ladies!

I have written to metro and asked that they put more stickers and signs up encouraging people to give up their seats, not push other people and generally respect disabled, pregnant and elders on the metro system.

Perhaps if we all got together and asked Metro to encourage support and respect, they will start...

[Anonymous]

I found that I was very sensitive to smells. I used breath mints to try and distract myself and I was not shy about staring someone down to get a seat. In the end, however, sometimes I just gave up and drove. I feel your pain.

[Anonymous]

I don't which Metro lines people are riding or maybe it's the time of day, but I usually have no problem getting a seat on the Metro. I wasn't offered a seat as much earlier in my pregnancy because I didn't look pregnant with my coat on. Also some people are so ingrossed in their ipods, blackberries, newspapers, they're only paying attention to when they have to get off.