Something that really bugs me! Why are there "Expecting Mother " parking spots?

Question

I don't get it! We have them at our malls and some stores around here!

They are going to get out of their vehicle and go walk around a whole mall or the store anyways, why do they need to park closer? Pregnant women are supposed to get their exercise anyways!

I think if anyone should get a closer spot it should be mothers who already have very young children and have to take their child, stroller, often a diaper bag or etc, in with them.

This really annoys me! Besides if I park in one how are they going to prove I'm not expecting? Are they going to give me a pregnancy test right then and there?

Anyone else feel the same? Or if you think these should be there, please help me in understanding why!

No need to be RUDE people!

If she can walk in the mall and her feet don't hurt or can drive in labor...what's the point...I asked for good reasons!

BTW I am in Ohio!

Ohhh, I stirred up some s.h.i.t. now, show some respect, it's a simple question...no I haven't been pregnant yet, but that doesn't mean I don't understand what is going on...give me a break! I have hauled several little ones around before and it is tough...women have survived many years without the spots. I know I will not use them when I am just pregnant, because I don't agree with them, I will leave them for handicapped or mothers who are pregnant with complications and could get a temporary handicap spot! Reading some of these answers made me feel even stronger on it! Some people gave good legit answers like the weather or carrying things and I thank those of you who did and those who supported the question!

Answer 1

I am currently nine months pregnant and the only reason I see a need for the "Expectant Mother" parking spaces is when you are in your third trimester and you realize right when you park that you have to go to the bathroom there is no way as slow as you walk that far along and carrying a five plus pound baby that you will make it to the bathroom.

On the other hand I too think it is totally ridiculous to have "Expectant Mother" parking spaces. Being nine months pregnant me, my husband, and my 22 month old daughter still go to the mall. We park in the very back even, because we have heard the more you walk the better. Yeah, I get tired but once you get in the mall there are always benches and such to take breaks if needed.

Pregnant women with medical problems are not going to be walking the mall anyway and the ones that do not have any medical problems should have been smart enough to be taking care of themselves from the start to begin with.

Also, for previous posters if you are walking out of the store and realize you are in labor you should not be driving in the first place. My doctor instructs me and his other patients not to drive just in case you get a contraction and can not handle driving, you could cause an accident. Call a family member or an ambulance, please don't drive!

Although the parking spaces are probably a convience they are definitely not needed and probably abused more than what their intended purpose is supposed to be.

Answer 2

I have had 3 children. We also have them in certain areas. While I was in early pregnancy, I parked in the usual parking spots and didn't use the expectant mother spots. Once you get into late pregnancy, though, moving around becomes alot more difficult and can be very painful. With my last one, I could barely get out of the car on my own, let alone trek all over creation and back. When Idid go places, it was for a specific reason and I got what I came for and left. I didn't walk all over the place. Also, in the case of malls where I would have to do a lot of walking, I made frequent use of the benches and other seating areas they provide. I would have to rest often and a lot of the time I would wait on the bench while a companion got what I needed. This is why they have them. I'm sorry you don't agree with them. And FYI, In early pregnancy I walked between 2-3 miles a day every day so I was in excellent shape and did not park in those spots.

Answer 3

I've never seen these before and any women who is pregnant and is going to walk the mall should be able to walk into the building too! You are so right!

And if a pregnant woman did have complications and restricted exercise, she should get a medical permit and be on bedrest!

I have a 4-yr. old and I agree. It should be for men and women with small children. I swear sometimes I have to bring a whole convenient store with me to get through 30 minutes of shopping.

And that would be funny if they did start requiring "pregnant woman" passes to hang in the rear view mirror so they can park there, or worse yet, can you imagine a security guard at the door holding a basket of Clear Blue Easys for those decietful women parking in the pregnancy spots! And what would they do anyways, fine you if it came out negative?
Ha.

Good point!

Answer 4

I really think that those spaces should only be reserved for women in their last trimester. Lets face it, women in their first and second trimesters aren't going to experience the "pains" of pregnancy until then. When a woman reaches the last trimester movement is slow and shopping at a mall isn't going to be an all day event unless they are a super trooper! In your last trimester going to the mall is a HAVE TO kind of thing trust me your not going there for your health. Walking is a PIA, during the last trimester your huge! You waddle, your feet swell and you get tired quickly and not having to walk a mile into a store to just get one or two items is nice. I was only able to use those parking spaces during my second pregnancy and it was very nice. I had developed preeclampsia which causes severe swelling and high blood pressure and before I was put on bed rest I tried to remain somewhat active and if I had to go to the mall I parked in those spaces because they were close to the doors and due to my feet being so swollen from the preeclampsia that I was happy to not have to walk any further than I had to. Just to give you an idea, I wear a 6 1/2 to a size 7 shoe and during my second pregnancy i was wearing a size 10 shoes just so my feet would fit in something. My feet were so swollen you couldn't tell I had toes and putting my feet up on a pillow didn't help the swellilng at all. The swelling didn't leave my body until my son was 8 months old. So, for women with high risk pregnancies and women in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy I think that those parking spots are wonderful and needed. I hope this helps you understand more.

Answer 5

We don't have any of these spaces around where I live, but it would be nice if we did. Im 8.5 months pregnant and work graveyard at the hospital here as an RN and I pull 12+ hours every night, usually spending most of the time on my feet even though doing so makes me want to cry and vomit at times. My pregnancy has been rough; my little one feeling the need for whatever reason to bruise and even fracture my ribs while I was in my 7th month as well as severe pain in my hips and pelvis when walking. My husband works swing so he leaves early in the afternoon or late depending on the day and usually doesn't get back until late when everything is closed, so I still end up doing a majority of the shopping. These spaces would take a lot of extra and unnecessary strain off of my body. Yes I realize I probably sound like I'm just an entitled person but seriously, ou are entitled to your opinion, I respect it, but don't slam these spots when some of us genuinely have a hard time getting around.

Answer 6

I am so glad that you pointed this out... This really bothers me and is really starting to get annoying and popping up everywhere.

Why do they get special parking, I realize they are uncomfortable and "larger" than normal but they are going to a store to walk around anyway if they can't walk that much why are they even going? They can't even determine who is or who isn't expecting so anyone can really park there taking up spaces for people who really may need to park close./.

I heard the newest one that in some towns they are putting parking for obese people *I have nothing against obese people* however I dont' think we should start catering to everything by giving them "front row" parking - it would probably be better if they did walk a little farther anyway - and left those spots open for those that have injuries that are handicapped but have special needs for a short time.

I enjoy being single with out a child (at the moment) but I would too like to park close as well but- where is my parking spots - if this is to help people that are shopping , give them a better experince where is my SPOT?

Answer 7

Hey, I'm with you. Walking is healthy for everyone, including those with child. And get this...I've seen parking spots for moms with kids too! Really, they're out there! Pretty soon, unless you're "somebody" we'll all be parking out in the weeds 'cause all the spots will be for "special" people. Get a grip! Parking spots for democrats, republicans, blondes, SUV's, tree huggers, mimes, gardeners or some other group that would be offended if they didn't have a "special" spot. It boggles the mind...what's next, huh?! And just for the record, I've been pregnant before (twice and delievered a 10 pound boy!) plus I'm handicapped and don't use the spots unless I'm really in a bad way. Exercise is good for even me, so I do what I can. <*)))><

Answer 8

I can tell you have never been 7-9 months pregnant in the summer in the South west or South. When it's 100+ in the shade. If you had you would think these parking spots a God Send for an expectant Mother and even offer her a close spot you had found.

Answer 9

It's merely a courtesy, like offering a pregnant woman your seat on the bus or holding the door open for someone juggling a baby, a stroller and a diaper bag. At least in my area, it's not the law. You can park there if you choose and you won't get a ticket. It's just a way of extending a small kindness to someone who might need that close spot just a little more than you do.

Answer 10

Obviously you've never been 9 months pregnant with feet and ankles so swollen that they're coming out over the tops of your shoes. :) While it's true that they're going to walk around inside, walking around inside an air conditioned building is quite a bit different from walking the length of the parking lot when it's snowy/icy or blazing hot outside.

I think with the Expectant Moms parking, it's mainly a comfort thing, and really should only be used by women who are at least 8 months pregnant. When you get pregnant and you really start to show, your center of gravity is off, and you're very unsteady sometimes, and it truly is difficult/uncomfortable to walk. Many pregnant women have problems with sciatica. Your back hurts, your feet hurt, when your pelvic joints start to spread/separate (close to the end of your pregnancy)...oh God...don't even get me started on that. LOL Pregnant women have to shop, too. If we only had personal shoppers, wouldn't life be grand? :)

I think Expectant Moms parking is a great idea, but not if you're 5 or 6 weeks pregnant. That's just abuse of a good thing by those women who choose to park there who aren't that far along.

Answer 11

I also agree, I just saw one of these for the first time at a grocery store near my house in AZ. I think it's absolutely ridiculous. If you're at that high rish of a pregnancy that you can't walk, how can you be in a car to drive? I'm 99% sure you would get injured more in a car rather than WALKING into a store. If you can't walk into a store how are you going to walk around one? And if that's the case, then your doctor can issue you a temporary handicap spot. Just because you're expectant mom, by choice, you shouldnt get special treatment. Absolutely obsurd on every level in my opinion. And we all know several people would park in these spots that aren't expectant moms. Who approved of these parking spots???