August 2013 Moms
SarahinMD
member
Pregnant Women in wheelchair Shopping carts?
SarahinMD
member
So is this a thing? I was at Costco today, and a pregnant woman (seemed far along, but can't be sure) was doing her shopping in one of the store's electric wheelchair shopping carts. Now, I can easily think of at least a half dozen reasons why this might be necessary, but I've never seen it before. Has anyone else seen this? Made me think of the "I'm pregnant not disabled" threads, but of course, I know for some women they do have lots of limitations. I'd just never seen this before.
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Re: Pregnant Women in wheelchair Shopping carts?
:-/ sorry to hear that! She did get up to check out, and definitely looked uncomfortable. I've got a few more weeks to go, so who knows if I'll need to as well! Good to know it wouldn't be too uncommon. Might not work with DD in tow...though she would love it, I'm sure.
I would much rather see a pregnant woman in the electic wheelchairs then the obese people. JMO
I was going to say, I thought someone just shared that they had done it. I've never seen it though.
Actually, I have debated renting one at the zoo so I can go with the kids and DH. With the heat, swollen feet, and serous pressure when I walk, I am not sure I could make it without one. Lol.
Any third tri with sciatic nerve pain or on modified bed rest should use one if they want, IMO.
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My BFF had too when she was pregnant after about the 7th month. Then again she's 5'2 and seriously looked like she swallowed a full blown beach ball by then. And her poor feet were so swollen. I offered to go a few times for her so she didn't have to but she always said she wasn't 'helpless just took her longer'.
and sadly... I thought about it with DS2... not yet with LO.
This is what I was thinking.
When i was first pregnant i saw a woman at sam's club far along in a wheel chair cart. I remember hoping i would never use one but I see no prob at all,
1) SPD
2) Its a big store
I never judge people using them (except teens obviously screwing around) because you never know their situation, She may not even be in it cuz she is pregnant, and even if it is her only reason it could be that she is in a lot more pain than you are. Everyone's body handles the extra weight differently and right now if i had to go sam's i would strongly consider using it.
This. Even obese people, we do not know their situation. I wouldn't want someone to judge me, so I try to not judge them. I am not a perfect person, sometimes my mind can be terrible, but I do feel like a total jerk after.
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This.
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I haven't used one (yet!), but I would not begrudge someone the use of a cart. They're there for people with mobility issues and lots of pregnant people have limited mobility.
My mom broke her ankle a couple of weeks ago and has rented a scooter until she can put some weight on it. I won't deny that I'm coveting it a little.
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I've thought about using one recently. I have never liked the "pregnant not disabled" mentality, because I feel like it trivializes or puts down the women who aren't fortunate enough to have easy, uncomplicated pregnancies. For some women, the discomfort or complications that they experience do leave them feeling disabled or unable to manage seemingly simple tasks and activities, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I think everyone's experience is different, and as someone who has not had an easy or enjoyable pregnancy, I can understand the need or desire to use a wheelchair for a task that would have been a breeze pre-pregnancy. As long as they're not just clearly screwing around on it, I think it's fine.
Yup
It's illegal to park there without a handicapped sticker or tag. I wouldn't want to get towed or a ticket.
I haven't done it yet, but I certainly can understand why a pregnant person would. I get really bad pain/pressure in my lower abdomen if I stand too long. On top of that, my feet are so swollen that flip flops leave indentations.
I also thought, like another poster, that woman could have a mobility-limiting condition and also just happen to be pregnant.
I think it's totally fine and justifiable.
I feel guilty if I use a handicapped stall in the restroom, which I've done twice this pregnancy. Once because the doors opened in and there was no way the door would squeeze past my belly. The other because all other stalls were taken and I literally could not wait to pee until one became available. There is no way I would ever park in a handicapped spot, but if the store has expectant mother parking, then I do take advantage.
I got stuck in a stall at toys r us because it was really small. Once I was in I couldn't open the door to get out because my belly was too big. I have been pretty small my whole pregnancy so I don't mind using the handicap stalls when the regular ones are tiny.
I'm guilty of saying "I'm pregnant, not disabled!" so I refuse to use the wheelchair.
Ive considered it though; my back is killing me and my right leg goes completely numb. I haven't, nor will I, though. I can walk, I just don't want to and I'd feel awful if someone who actually needed one came in and didn't have access.
DD2 8.22.13
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Ditto. After four hours of walking at two different furniture stores, I was done. I got a wheelchair at IKEA because I started having contractions.
Never. If someone's mobility is THAT impaired, they can get a temp permit. I just used a wheelchair yesterday, but I'd never ever take a handicapped spot.
I see the "pregnant not disabled" statement going more towards those who are truly JUST pregnant and not having any issues from it (ie, SPD, swollen feet, difficulty walking long distances, etc) Ive always seen that statement as something geared towards those that say "but I should get special XYZ treatment because I am pregnant"
I havent had to use the electric wheelchair but I wouldnt be above it. It is getting hard to do simple tasks. I have had multiple foot surgeries in the past and using one is not fun. People stare at you, it is hard to fit in the aisles, it beeps like a truck when you back up, etc. I wouldnt side eye anyone using it (except the aforementioned teens joking around) because its not something I found to be awesome.
As for the parking spaces, no I would never use one without a permit. I have had temp permits in the past and even then would only use them immediately after surgery when I was still on crutches. I saw this bad a$s lady at Costco one day in a handicap spot. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down, she pulled her wheelchair out herself, attached the front wheels (it was a racing style chair) and made her way into the store. I thought from then on "unless I am severely impaired from going a long distance, I refuse to use this pass." Think about those people when you consider using the spot.
I am of two minds on this subject. There are legitimate reasons for women to actually need a wheelchair or scooter, but usually it is related to pret-term labor, not discomfort.
IMO, swollen ankles, sciatic nerve pain, and pelvic pressure are just the less than savory side effects of being pregnant, but are not considered legitimate reasons. Are they painful and uncomfortable reasons? Sure, but no one is forcing anyone to go shopping or on day trips.
Warning...blanket statement ahead...I think women are "softer" than they used to be years ago.
I'm going to the zoo this week and I have been having this exact debate with myself.
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I use the handicap stall all the time, pregnant or not, as long as there's no one that is actually handicap waiting to use it. A bathroom stall and a parking spot are so different it's not like you are going to be in the stall for hours on end and you are also THERE to leave of someone in need comes along. The stalls are there to fulfill ADA requirements, but the law in no way dictate they are only available to handicap people. But I'm also the kind of woman that will use a single unit men's room if its empty as long as its clean. I think it's ridious to wait in line when there is a perfectly good bathroom available no one else is using.
In regards to the original question, I don't need the wheelchair for shopping, so I wouldn't use it. But if I was swollen like a ballon and it hurt to walk, or i had mad sciatic pain from standing, you betcha I would.
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so many things to respond to:
pregnant women using the electric carts: If DH wasn't being awesome and helping me shop, yeah, I might... my feet get swollen when I am on them to walk through the whole store... so if I walk in already swollen (like after work) I am in a lot of pain by the third aisle.
obese people using the electric carts: you have no clue what problems they have... You don't even know if its a laziness thing for them.
Trust me. It sucks to have people look at you like you are a lazy slob who doesn't care for their health at all... Or even have the balls to say it to your face or "under their breath" loud enough for them to hear.
So get over your judgmental attitude of obese people. your judgement will not make anything "better", and they may actually be healthy. Same goes for if someone looks "too skinny."
Handicap stalls: really, if no one is in the bathroom that obviously needs it, I use it. Especially now. those bars are amazingly helpful to me in terms of getting up without getting dizzy.
Handicap spots: I have never parked in one, never will.