Expectant Mother Parking?

smilelari · July 2009

We went out to tour our new office building yesterday and I noticed that they have expectant mother parking spots.

Any thoughts on this? Personally I find it kind of offensive. I'm pregnant, not handicapped. Those spots would be better used as actual handicapped spots rather than wasting them for people like me that can walk just fine and benefit from the exercise.

JaredandKatie · July 2009

I think they're nice!

Stephanie586 · July 2009

I think its necessary in very late pregnancy. One of my coworkers who was tiny prepregnancy and worked up until birth. She was very uncomfortable and got out of breath very easily and had alot of pelvic pressure when she walked. We dont have expectant parking and security wouldnt let her park in visitors parking and we work at a huge complex. I felt horrible for her!

JM G · July 2009

Personally, I get a kick out of 'em. They have the same spots at Babies R Us and I totally use them. My DH almost didn't want to park there because he thought they were handicapped he thought they were hilarious too.

Tamara Stumph · July 2009

I don't think they are meant to be offesive. I think they are meant to be helpful. Maybe when you're 36+ pregnant and need to carry a few bags to your car, you'll like them. Right now for me (at almost 18 weeks) they seem silly and not for me.

gmizzle78 · July 2009

i like it.. when i go to bru.. and they have the parking right up front for us expectant moms... i think its nice they took the time out to make our lives that much easier while pregnant..it doesnt have to mean we are handicapped.. even when i grocery shop they have those there to.... for us mommys to be saves ne the hassle of searching forever for a spot!..i likessssssssss=)

cooperme2871 · July 2009

I really appreciate them. Not everyone is fortunate to have a healthy pregnancy and so it helps to be that much closer. I'm on modifiend bedrest and I can still go shopping or out, but being able to park closer is a big help when carrying extra weight. I wish more places had it.

sara_smile · July 2009

Like pp, I worked with a girl that had trouble late in her pregnancy. If you can walk just fine then don't park there...

i*heart*him · July 2009

I think people need to stop being lazy. If you can walk around the mall you can walk a few extra feet. I would be embarrassed to park there.

babygirl7892002 · July 2009

There are a few places that Ive seen with Expectant Mother/ New Mother Parking such as Festival Foods and Walmart. I dont find it offensive especially considering I am sure there will come a point in my pregnancy that I find it very helpful to be able to park closer. The places that have these parking spots also have plenty of handicapped parking spots that are located closer to the entry than the Expectant Mother ones.

LovinTim912 · July 2009

I haven't seen them anywhere, but I have to admit that I get winded very easily if I am not walking very VERY slowly. ?It is a joke between DH & I...

?Anyway, those spots would be great!

oregontechmom · July 2009

I use them whenever they have them. They are handy at grocery stores or anywhere where I'd be carrying something to my car.

mwalliser · July 2009

I think it's nice... however should only be used when it's absolutely needed. As in much later in pregnancy... or when there are restrictions about walking too much etc.

Personally, it would be much more beneficial to have new mother parking... at least at shopping places. It's rediculous to have to park so far out when you have an infant with you...

Stephanie586 · July 2009

i*heart*him:
I think people need to stop being lazy. If you can walk around the mall you can walk a few extra feet. I would be embarrassed to park there.

Its not always about being lazy. Wait until your in your last few weeks and the baby is pushing your lungs so hard you can barely breathe.. but you still need to go to work and grocery shop.

amoureux · July 2009

I don't think it is a bad thing to have them as some women do end up with complications and cannot walk very far.

I would never consider using one at this point. I believe people in the second tri (unless you have complications) should leave those spots for women who really need them.

In fact, I will never use one unless I truly need to. As the OP said, I am pregnant, not handicapped.

smilelari · July 2009

mwalliser:

I think it's nice... however should only be used when it's absolutely needed. As in much later in pregnancy... or when there are restrictions about walking too much etc.

Personally, it would be much more beneficial to have new mother parking... at least at shopping places. It's rediculous to have to park so far out when you have an infant with you...

this

I think it's silly that they have Expectant Mother parking at BRU when it's obvious the ones that are actually struggling are those with a new infant with a car seat and diaper bag in tow

B!tchBeckman · July 2009

we used to have a spot for expectant mothers and families with small children parking up at best buy but they got rid of it and it was the only one Ive ever seen.

I wouldnt use it until late pregnancy. With Alek I had a condition where I was measuring 6 inches bigger the entire time and at 36 weeks I hated running in quick somewhere and having to go waaay back out to that spot again and after Alek was here it would have been wonderful to have special parking (Maybe behind handicap parking but still one of the close spots) for families with small children- especially in winter-

but now i feel guilty using them- its kind of tricky...

megs68 · July 2009

I wouldn't use one now, but in this Chicago December, when there's snow and ice on the ground and I'm 39 weeks pregnant, I will definitely be using them!

gmizzle78 · July 2009

i*heart*him:
I think people need to stop being lazy. If you can walk around the mall you can walk a few extra feet. I would be embarrassed to park there.

i dont think it has anything to do with being lazy!...i can walk just fine and dandy around the mall, my neihborhood.. etc... i just appreciate the fact that someone actually thought of us... preggos i like the idea that i dont have to search for a spot that i can just roll up into one already reserved for my a$$...... and it takes alot more than that for me to be embarrassed..but thats just me

juliane2004 · July 2009

I love them and use them wherever they are.

gmizzle78 · July 2009

smilelari:
mwalliser:

I think it's nice... however should only be used when it's absolutely needed. As in much later in pregnancy... or when there are restrictions about walking too much etc.

Personally, it would be much more beneficial to have new mother parking... at least at shopping places. It's rediculous to have to park so far out when you have an infant with you...

this

wow than i must really qualify...for a spot reserved with my name personally..inscribed in it... cause i am pregnant and carry a child a diaper bag...etc...lol

I think it's silly that they have Expectant Mother parking at BRU when it's obvious the ones that are actually struggling are those with a new infant with a car seat and diaper bag in tow

Phillywife · July 2009

We don't ever use them when shopping. I've always parked away from the front to use that bit of exercise even when not pregnant to get a few extra steps in for the day.

However I do think the ones at the hospital should be only used for a expectant mom in labor. At least that is what they are used for at my hospital. It doesn't say expectant parents parking it says Labor and Delivery patients ONLY!

jdouglas84 · July 2009

I can understand if they are outside of an office (where there are medical offices) or a grocery store - places that are necessary to go to even when you are late in your pregnancy. What boggles my mind is there are Expectant Mother Parking spots at the mall near me, right outside of the Bass Pro Shops.

MrsSandro · July 2009

If I ever get to a point where I need them then I think they are great. DH however insists on parking in the back of the parking lot. Which really I don't mind, at least at the moment. I do think it's funny when I see a really small woman that is really early in their pregnancy park in those spaces.

Max'smom · July 2009

You may feel differently when you are nearing the end of your pregnancy. I wouldn't use them now or any time soon, but being pregnant in winter it would be nice to not have to walk from the back of the parking lot.

userdeleted · July 2009

I think it's pretty silly when someone who is 20 weeks pregnant with no issues uses them, but they are really nice when you're practically full term and everything hurts.

Of course you'll probably be walking around the store but, I don't know where you live, but where I am it's about 100 degrees outside every day. Being outside, huge, with hip pain and a baby kicking your lungs is pretty miserable. Anything that can make that can make my non-AC time less in that case is a good thing in my book

FWIW - during my last pregnancy I used one of those spaces one time, just for the novelty of it. By the time I was so big that walking around hurt I just stayed home. I don't see that happening with this pregnancy though - DS gets pretty bored if we're in the house all day, and I'm sure I'll be making much better use of any special parking spot that is available.

Blissful Me · July 2009

i*heart*him:
I think people need to stop being lazy. If you can walk around the mall you can walk a few extra feet.? I would be embarrassed to park there.

You might not feel that way once you're a new mom with a big carseat in tow and diaper bag to go in the grocery store. I loved it when I was a new mommy! I don't use them so much with this pregnancy unless I have my toddler with me since I'm getting a bit bigger now. I really used them with my last pregnancy though when I was later in my pregnancy and on bedrest and HUGE!?

Some people actually do need them.

smilelari · July 2009

I guess walking on ice it would be nice

But aren't there other people that struggle that would benefit from that as well? I just don't get why pregnant people would be singled out for special treatment

breech · July 2009

i just saw these at babies r us, we pulled into a great parking space and then i saw a sign, oooh we cant park here babe...then i read the sign. expectant mothers parking THATS ME! i thought it was fun.

IronRangeBride · July 2009

No one up in this neck of the woods has these parking spots, therefore I don't even have a chance to use them. I would only park in those designated spots if I absolutely needed to. For right now, I'm perfectly fine walking just as far as non-pregnant people.

nicolebuchalla · July 2009

Barring medical complications, or very late pregnancy (36+ weeks) I would not use them. I feel like there is nothing wrong with me and exercise is good for me anyway. Smile

kimberly.kent · July 2009

cooperme2871:
I really appreciate them. Not everyone is fortunate to have a healthy pregnancy and so it helps to be that much closer. I'm on modifiend bedrest and I can still go shopping or out, but being able to park closer is a big help when carrying extra weight. I wish more places had it.

THIS! I agree with you 100% because I'm in a similar boat. I don't use them all the time but when I'm having my off days (like the last week) I use them. It's that extra tiny bit of help.

Dancer6978 · July 2009

I'm sorry you feel that way. I believe that they're they're intended to help, not to patronize anyone.

I just started using the few we have here on base. I'm in the military, and being in a heavy uniform, thick socks, and boots while running around base to get my work done can be very difficult in this humidity. I often feel very nauseated just from the high temps and going in and out of buildings. I truly appreciate those spots!

Another thing, those spots serve also for a just-in-case scenario, as in, just in case someone goes into labor, they can more easily access their car and drive (or be driven) to the hospital, versus walking an extra 200 feet -- or even across the street or to another parking level.

jen5-03 · July 2009

There are none at any store I regularly shop at - even BRU.

But we do have them at work. We have to have them assigned to us and we are eligible at the beginning of month 6.

Hell no I'm not offended by them! My other choice is the parking garage across the street where I'll have to park on the 5th or 6th floor and the elevator to the bridge on 3rd floor is almost always broken. Before I got my "stork parking" I was sweaty and out of breath by the time I made it to the freaking lobby. Besides that, if we go out to lunch, I walk so much slower than my 6ft + male coworkers now that I can't keep up and could never make the walk to the other garage at their pace. So I'm the designated driver for lunch as long as I have the coveted parking spot.

And there are plenty of handicapped spots in my garage, the vast majority of which go empty every day.

getnmarried910 · July 2009

I find them very helpful. When your 8 or 9 months pregnant, it gets harder to walk long distances. I like them because it makes it easier when I'm out shopping alone with my kids. When October comes around and I'm hugely pregnant, it will be easier to get in and out with my kids. When winter hits, it will be nice to be close when there is ice on the ground.

ETA: I sometimes wish I'd have the option to stay home and not have to run those errands with kids in tow, but my DH works a lot of hours (around 60+) and if we need groceries or toilet paper or diapers for DS, I have to go, and I have to take kids. I don't usually use them this early, but I do this pregnancy because I have such bad RLP in my right lower abdomen, it makes it hard.

GBucksHollysMOM · July 2009

I use them. My neck has been really bad and its hard to walk far so I am all for them just wish more places had them lol.

Cara2 · July 2009

I think these spots are great. Why would you take offense to something that was done out of pure thoughtfullness? I'm over 35 weeks pregnant, 5'1" tall and 100lbs prepregnancy. I thank God every day for my healthy pregnancy but I still have never had so much day-to-day pain as a result of being pregnant. When I take a quick trip out to grab something, you bet I take advantage of these reserved spots.

LitlSara · July 2009

I'm not sure they're really necessary either, but I parked at one at the mall the other day and loved it. It was so nice not having to look for a spot forever!

Brooke208 · July 2009

You say that now, but when you near the end of your pregnancy, you'll be thankful for them! I don't think it's about giving special treatment or anything but it definitely helps.

I had an actual handicapped parking permit when I was pregnant with DS so I didn't need to use those, but even without my accident injuries, I would have been thankful at the end of my pregnancy. Some people have it worse than others but walking across a parking lot at 38 weeks pregnant can be near impossible.

luckyangel · July 2009

I have only used them twice-both times it was storming and I had my 3 kids with me and was when I was still feeling really nauseous and dizzy. I did bust some college boys out for parking there the other day-told the kid he was carrying his baby weight really well...he turned bright red!

bride2be79 · July 2009

i think it depends on the circumstances. I know my mom once got a ticket for parking in a handicapped spot when she was pregnant. She got out of it when she explained that she was 9 mos pregnant, carrying a sick toddler and it was snowing at the time (we lived in Chicago). So, from her perspective they're great. I haven't used one yet, but as the 100 degree plus weather drags on here and I get more and more uncomfortable I am pretty sure I'll eventually be thanking God for the close spot.

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