PREGNANCY PROJECT

Have you ever wondered how often do pregnant women get offered a seat while riding a crowded subway?

This behavioral intervention was born from our interest to understand

pregnant women's experience navigating the NYC subway system.

For this, we boarded the subway disguised as pregnant women.

HOW?

WHERE?

We wore 2 different

belly sizes to represent

6 months and 9 months

pregnancy.

We took the same

subway trains, but

boarded different cars.

WHEN?

During rush hour

on a Friday

afternoon.

our main questions

1. How often will other riders offer pregnant women a seat?

2. Does the size of the belly matter?

what we OBSERVED

Middle age and older women were more willing to offer their seats.

Riders offered their seats to the lady with a bigger belly more often.

Riders were more cognizant of personal space when around the lady with a bigger belly.

Riders get distracted with various activities and may not notice when other riders need a seat.

HOW MANY TIMES DID RIDERS

OFFER THEIR SEAT?

THE WOMAN WITH A SMALLER BELLY GOT 60% FEWER OFFERS THAN THE WOMAN WITH THE BIGGER BELLY.

our conclusion

The consideration a pregnant woman receives on the subway is proportional to the size of her belly. The larger the belly, the more consideration received.