Would you give your seat to a pregnant woman?

Cork’s 96FM has asked their listeners if they would give their seat to a pregnant woman.

Some of the responses are absolutely shocking.

From slower foetal growth and development to blood clots, standing for extended periods while pregnant can be harmful to the woman and foetus.

Starting the conversation with the example of men taking up seats in the waiting areas of CUMH, listeners didn’t take long to respond.

Some detailed their terrible experiences.

“I once had to sit on the floor 9 months pregnant up there!!”

One listener described the situation as shocking.

“It's shocking I was up in cumh on my last pregnancy there was a pregnant woman on crutches there one day and she was standing next to a man sitting I being heavily pregnant got up gave her my seat.

“He didn't even have the good grace to look embarrassed the women sitting with the men are worse they should suggest they get up but then again if they need to be told get up for a heavily pregnant woman they ain't much of a man !!!!!!!

“I have seen the midwives coming out on every appointment( I had a lot I was in high risk clinic) telling the men get up !!!”

Midwives were praised numerous times for telling men to give up their seats.

“Oh remember being in the cumh, men taking up half the seats, a midwife, was like anything male and not pregnant, go stand by the wall... She took noo prisoners.”

One woman suggested that women attend hospital appointments alone.

“It's a joke, I totally understand for a couples first pregnancy that it's exciting and they both want to experience it together. But any after that the women should attend these appointments alone.

“The men are left waiting in the seating area for most of it anyways. This is my second baby and so far I've only brought my partner along to the main scans. There are too little seats and too many people.”

Another agreed.

“Been pregnant myself I don't think there's any reason for men to be up there at those kind of appointments to take up the seats”

One woman suggested that women attending appointments should tell their partners to stand.

“i know my partner would get up for somebody and even if he didnt i would tell him i blame the women with them also letting the man stay put while another stands theve no respect for others obviously”

Some men came to the defence of their gender as generalisations began to emerge.

“To be fair everyone has a right to sit down if theres not enough seats thats the hospitals fault. What about the women who want their husband boyfriend sat with them. No need to have a go at the men over it.”

However, some of the defending arguments were lost in the crowd, like the sound of crickets on a stormy night.

“who force her to stand for two hours was it you i bet,shame on you,what you do is go down to a bus stop near a school and see all the young kids going on, bring your old self and see who will you a seat,you hipa cricket.”

What do you think?

Would you give your seat to a pregnant woman?

H/T to Cork’s 96FM for the original post.