10
Loading video...
By Daniella Gray
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A heavily pregnant woman has sparked outrage online after capturing the moment no one offered her a seat on a London train.
Giselle Major (@gxselle_m) shared a clip on TikTok standing on a busy Tube carriage, traveling just a few stops in central London for a routine antenatal appointment.
In the caption, the 31-year-old wrote: “I already hate public transport, but being pregnant made me hate it even more.”
Read More on Family & Parenting
...
At 28 weeks pregnant, Major told Newsweek that she was dealing with sciatica, pelvic gurdle pain, nausea and fatigue.
But despite the discomfort, the train felt like the easiest option. Driving meant congestion charges, traffic, parking stress and “instant nausea,” while the Tube journey took less than 10 minutes.
“During my pregnancy, I had quite a few appointments—sometimes once or twice a month—and I began noticing that even when I was visibly pregnant and wearing my ‘Baby on Board’ badge, I was rarely offered a seat," Major said.
What stood out most was not just the lack of offers, but the behavior around her. “There were moments where passengers briefly looked up and sometimes made eye contact, but very often people would quickly look away or return to their phones,” Major said.
With her badge visible, she said it often felt like people had noticed her but preferred not to engage. After experiencing similar situations repeatedly, she decided to record the moment to show what the experience was really like.
Standing on the train left her feeling “quite vulnerable and a little confused.” She explained that before her pregnancy, she would always offer her seat to someone who appeared to need it.
Major emphasized that pregnancy places significant strain on the body, affecting balance, joints and energy levels.
“Pregnancy can make everyday things like standing on a crowded train much harder than people realize, which is why awareness and small acts of consideration can make such a big difference,” she said.
Major’s video has gone viral on TikTok, clocking up 1.8 million views. In the comments, many other women shared similar experiences, some describing even more difficult journeys.
“This used to happen to me all the time when I was pregnant. People have no manners these days,” one user wrote.
“If I saw a pregnant lady or an elderly person 1,000 percent I’m giving my seat up, no debate,” another wrote.
Others weren’t as sympathetic and said being pregnant doesn’t entitle Major to a “free pass.”
“While there were some negative comments, I felt that the positive responses and shared experiences outweighed them,” Major said. “What stood out most was how many people related to the situation.”
Addressing those who assume a pregnant woman will ask if she needs a seat, the mom to be said not everyone feels comfortable doing so.
“That’s really why priority seats exist," Major said. “Sometimes small acts of kindness can really help someone who may be quietly struggling.”
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines