Special privileges?

ShawnJuliet

Hey all! I'm 40 and starting over. My kids are 17 and 14.

My question is when should you start using special privileges? For example, my employer has parking for expectant mothers. Technically, I am an expectant mother, but I'm only 6 weeks. What do you feel is an appropriate time to begin using these parking spaces? Or any other perks expectant moms might get? :-/

CreativeD1

Hi!! I would save these up for when I needed them. There were days towards the end of my first tri that I would be winded going up the stairs as an example. Other days I parked far away from the grocery store so I could get a little more exercise. Use them when you need them. Congrats to you!!

jengalbraith818

I would agree with @creativeD1 If you start using them when you don't need them, people see you as whiny and when you really do need their support, they are already burnt out. Although, I'll take an expectant mama spot if it's the only one close in a heart beat! LOL

Samuelismomma

We don't really have them where I live...lol I would use them when my back starts getting out of whack which is about 4 to 5 months...good luck ! And welcome!

anonymousmotley

It's really a personal choice and what you want/need.  For me (as @CreativeD1 said), I would save up for when/if I need them.  For instance, when I found out I was pregnant and confirmed with my doctor, he put me on bed rest until further testing could confirm the health of the pregnancy.  I took the orders, but never applied them at work because I thought if for some reason I'm put on bed rest or need to miss work, I don't want to have already done that only 6 weeks into my pregnancy. 

It really just comes down to how you feel about it.  I know if I didn't feel like walking on any given day, I would surely take that spot!

ProcessofBecoming

Special privileges? This is a thing?

I'm 42 and will be 43 when I deliver, and have a car with a busted AC unit right now. A "special privilege" for me would be air conditioning--damn it's hot outside these days!

No special privileges here. I work full time, have a 2 year old, and suck it up appropriately. Although I did ask for a new office chair because my back is killing me (my employer did not know I was pregnant--I didn't announce until 24 weeks). I still haven't gotten it though and am suspecting that it is not going to materialize, which is a bummer. Thank God for bags of frozen peas!!!

2redtulips

I would definitely use expectant mother parking right now (38 weeks tomorrow), but I haven't seen any anywhere. 

To be fair, I am still walking around fine, but lightning crotch seems to be way worse when I walk for too long.  

I am self-employed, so I have given myself permission to take a bit longer on some projects and to take naps. I also haven't been cooking as much, and DH has been great about that.

flyinmommy

I agree with PPs, don't use them until you need them. I have always been the person (pregnant or not) to park further back in the parking lot because I feel someone else most likely needs the spot more than I do. I feel like its good karma for some day maybe when I need the spot and can't walk the extra few spots.

banana2020

Yep, I saved those the first time around for when I needed them (mostly parking at places like BRU and BJ's).  I don't like to use them when I know there are likely women out there that actually DO need them. I'd feel like a jerk if I was feeling/walking fine and watched some poor, swollen, sweaty 39w pregnant woman with triples in tow work her way up from the back of the parking lot.  

ksgsmu

I agree I haven't used them yet as I don't need the special parking spots yet... I  leave them for the ladies who are much further along in hopes that in a few months from now when I am waddling in 30 weeks with twins hopefully someone will do the same for me.

mandyreads

@2redtulips‌ you said lightning crotch lol

ShawnJuliet

Thanks for the input! That's pretty much how I felt - wait until I need it. Today I realized that we must have a maternity parking tag displayed from the rearview mirror to use them. Our employer gives them to us. I'm going to inquire about them but won't get one just yet. Congrats to all expecting!

ShawnJuliet

And yes, I'm still learning how to use these message boards. Apparently, I've done something because now there's a comment bubble with a blue 2 coming out of it by my comment?????

mandyreads

@2redtulips‌ I just looked up lightening crotch...did not know it was a real thing. I thought you were making light of the pain down there. Learn something new every day. That pain is the absolute worse.

@ShawnJuliet‌ I think that has something to do with badges you earn. Probably for asking a question and getting responses. If you click on it it should tell you.

alexesq33

I always felt weird using any special before I was showing - just because I guess I cared that others would think I wasn't preggo and was taking advantage of the system, whatever you're comfortable with!

I did have twins though, and I was so huge by 6 months when I went to the DMV to change my license they hustled me in and out in RECORD time!  I tried to tell them it was twins and I wasn't about to give birth on the spot but hey - RECORD TIME AT THE DMV!!  I'll take it!

2ndGeneration

 We don't have special spots at work so it's not an issue, but I haven't used the ones at the local grocery store yet. I kind of feel like I'd rather a preg mom with littles get it-I used to park in them when I was having my older kids and always had a toddler, preschooler and more lol. Now with older kids I don't even have to push a cart or lift a grocery bag!

 Maybe right at the end I will. I probably would if it was icy out as well (not a concern now since it's summer lol).