Woman asked to prove she's pregnant

Raayan Zafar said she feels dizzy and out of energy, making standing in the Tube difficult. Photo / Getty

A pregnant woman sat in a priority seat on a train was shocked when she was asked by a fellow passenger to prove her pregnancy.

The 32-year-old mother of one, who is in the early stages of her pregnancy and not yet showing told The Evening Standard she felt "really, really embarrassed" about the confrontation on the London Tube train.

Raayan Zafar, 32, said while she's not showing, she is on medication for severe morning sickness.

"I feel dizzy and out of energy, which makes standing in the Tube quite difficult when there is not enough ventilation."

Zafar, who was wearing a 'Baby on board' badge - an initiative established in 2005 to let others know a woman is pregnant and eligible for a priority seat without the need for an awkward confrontation - was approached after a passenger gave up their priority seat for her.

She said the person sitting beside it started arguing with her, asking: "Why are you taking the seat?"

After Ms Zafar showed the man her 'Baby on board' badge he asked: "Where is the baby?"

She said she was left feeling shocked by the encounter and believes hers wasn't an isolated incident.

"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,' she said. "People see the badges and just ignore them."

- nzherald.co.nz