Raayan Zafar was left feeling humiliated, after a fellow commuter confronted her when she attempted to sit down on a packed Victoria Line in Stockwell, South London, last week.
The 32-year-old, who is in the first trimester of her pregnancy, told the Evening Standard:
‘[I’m in the early stages of pregnancy.] But that doesn't mean I'm not pregnant or tired or sick all the time.
'It was a long commute and I suffer from severe morning sickness – I'm on medication already.
'I feel dizzy and out of energy, which makes standing in the Tube quite difficult when there is not enough ventilation.
'I got the Victoria line from Stockwell and requested the priority seat.
'The man sitting there was a gentleman and gave me his seat, but then a lady who was already standing in front of him tried to take the seat, so I made her notice me by saying, "excuse me".
'That lady realised I was going for the seat, but the person sitting beside it started arguing with me, saying the lady wanted to sit there and asking: "Why are you taking the seat?"'
But when Raayan pointed out her 'baby on board’ badge, the man- believed to be in his forties, asked: 'Where is the baby?’.
Speaking about attitudes towards pregnant women on public transport, Raayan added:
'I see a lot of pregnant ladies on the Tube in rush hour and I don't see that people are more considerate towards them.'
'People see the badges and just ignore them.’
Have you had a similar experience? Tweet us @closeronline.