March 21, 2008
-
Pregnancy and Handicapped Parking
A new bill has been presented in California that would allow pregnant women in their “final three months of pregnancy and the
first two months after birth” to use handicapped parking spots.
There are those who oppose the bill saying women need the exercise during that time of their life. Here is the link: Link
I have seen a few “handicapped” people that look like they need the exercise more than the pregnant.
Do you think pregnant women should be able to use the handicapped parking spots?
Comments (123)
no. that’s stupid.
I think it should be up to the doctor. I have known a LOT of people who have gotten disabled parking. It’s really easy now. It seems any complaint gets the doctor to get you disabled parking. It really should be only for medical issues that make it very difficult to walk.
Sounds fair to me.
Too bad I didn’t drive when I was a cripple, I could have parked handicap everywhere. Though given it was my leg that was fucked up, wouldn’t have done me much good trying to drive on it…
As for the pregnant women, sure, why not. Don’t want them squirting out some squalling infant in the far edges of the parking lot at Wal-Mart.
No.
I don’t know… Yes, and no… I think it’d be cool if they got to park in the handicapped spots, since when you’re pregnant, the baby’s pressing on your bladder and you gotta’ pee all the time. LOL.
But then again, exercise would be nice… Little bits, even just across the parking lot, can help… But you can’t force anyone to exercise.
I don’t know.
Absolutely! Anyone who says otherwise has never been pregnant.
it depends on the pregnacy i think
No
If they made it that far then yes- definately
yea only lame people use the handicapped spots
I think it’s not a bad idea. I have handicap plates and I never used them except when I was pregnant-esp with the twins. Heavens, I would be so tired and everything hurt so much at that point. I have no problem with mothers to be using them.
Yes, I think they should be able to use them. Why? Well because the mothers-to-be shouldn’t have to hobble from all the way back in the parking lot just to get inside the building. They’d be too tired to do anything by then.
if they feel they need it, why not? throw stones at me – i have a placard and need the exercise…
Supermarkets down where I live have pregnant only parking similar to handicapped spaces. It’s basically the same, but it doesn’t take up the spots with extra space for wheelchairs and what not.
I am ambivalent on the matter.
i think it just depends on the women
You know here we have new mother spots specifically for pregnant women and new moms… I think its great, I wish they had them when I was prego… of course I really didn’t have any roblms getting around as a prego… So I probably wouldn’t ave used them anyway.
not unless they are both handicapped and pregnant at the same time.
Sometimes there special parking spaces just for them. I know a lot of times they say exercise is good even in later stages of pregnancy, but from what I know (never having been pregnant, that’s very little), it kind of depends on the woman and the pregnancy. My sister-in-law was near bedridden for a couple of months with her first child. I think it would certainly be a nice gesture to have the bill pass.
i think thats fair.
Xo
Yeah, I don’t see why not. Most places around here (except evil-mart, I mean wal-mart) have special spots for pregnant and new mothers up near the handicapped parking spaces, anyway.
I remember being in my last three month of pregnancy in June, July and August in Phoenix, Arizona. It was so hot that by the time I got in to the grocery store I was so lightheaded I came close to passing out. A parking spot close to the doors would have been a real help. Pregnant women and women with tiny infants could sure use the break.
I’ve seen the pregnant parking spots too, and I think if mom-to-be is in the huge stage of the pregnancy, she should definitely be allowed to park closer to the building. But I don’t think it should be used by someone who is 3 months along and completely healthy.
I don’t know, I’ve never been pregnant so I guess I’m not the best judge.
as people have said, i’ve seen pregnant parking spots too… but they’re mostly for emergency use, i thought? mothers should stay in bed and rest after birth, anyway… i don’t understand how celebrities are up and shopping right after they give birth -_-.
but yeah, i can’t really relate.
being “obese” is not the same as being handicapped, so no, pregnant women should not.
yes. i think the people who oppose it should try walking around in the lat trimester of pregnancy and see how they like it.
how much can you work out in your last trimester of pregnancy anyways?
That would be OK with me…my issue is all those that have the sticker hanging in their cars and they park in the spots….yet I see nothing handicap about them….oh sure maybe someone in the family but on most cases I see no one with a handicap getting in or out of the car…..really pisses the Bear off due to I have a handicap son yet we do not use a decal so we can park up close..we have never asked for a decal……..its really a joke…..
geh, actually I’ve never been preggo so [as usual] my comment is void.
Yes.
we have places that say pregnant ( not handicapped) how stupid is that? So your going to challenge me on that? Give me a pregnancy test? I should write an entry about that and I just might.
I was pregnant with twins, in the U.P. of Michigan in the dead of winter, and had no trouble parking at the far edges of the lot and walking to the store, dr., etc…. It isn’t that difficult to walk while pregnant… I have survived it 5 times… If a woman has so much difficulty getting around that she needs to access handicap parking then maybe she should stay home or have someone drop her at the front door.
Absolutely! If you’ve ever walked around 3 cm dilated at 42 weeks pregnant, you mostly likely would understand the pain. For my last pregnancy, I also had some other issues (gallbladder, kidney) that affected even my breathing. I absolutely wished that I had a handicapped parking sign.
Her doctor should determine that.
@GrumpyBear54 - Many conditions aren’t visible. My aunt has a heart condition and severe asthma and can’t walk far at all. Just because you can’t SEE it, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.
They’re not handicapped. They’re pregnant. There are more people who actually need the parking spaces. Even though it might be considerate for the women, but parking spaces should be reserved for the handicapped.
But that picture…Wow. Pregnant women are gorgeous…
*o*
@ddearcaroline - Wow…. just WOW. I gained a total of 12 lbs when I was pregnant. That certainly wouldn’t classify me as “obese”.
Absolutely.
being pregnant once, no I do not think that they should be able to.
At a mall in Orlando they have expecting mother’s parking though.
For a normal pregnancy? No. Under special circumstances, yes. I just gave birth less than 8 weeks ago and i think it’s ridiculous that a pregnant women would need to park in a certain parking spot. If they are really that incapable of walking an extra 20 feet, they shouldn’t be going out anyway.
@KymmandDan - That would be absolutely lovely.. but not everyone has a person to drive them around or do their shopping for them. I’ve been pregnant three times. The second time, I had SEVERE pelvic pain… to the point that at times I was unable to walk at all. There are complications that arise during pregnancy that would definitely classify someone as “handipcapped” if they were not pregnant.
There were many times that it would have come in handy, but for the most part I probably wouldn’t have used them. I get a little upset with people who might be handicapped who use their blue tabs and pull into the spot only to have the passenger (who is perfectly healthy) get out and walk in to some where like the Post Office. The handicapped person is perfectly fine sitting in the car and waiting. I don’t get that?
Pregnant women can get their doctors to approve them for a temporary handicapped parking permit. l do admit, though, that it would be easier to skip the paperwork and application process and use the handicapped space when absolutely neccessary. When I was pregnant there were days that I was fine, and there were days when I could hardly drag my butt around. It would have been nice to have the option to park closer to the grocery store on those bad days.
@Amyld - if your pain is that bad then don’t drive… I got put on bed rest with my twins and had to give up driving…. I just don’t see it as a handicap, it isn’t permanent…
Well… yes, I think it’s okay for pregnant ladies to be parked closer.
Of course, they need exercise but if they weren’t inclined to do so in the first place, what makes you think that saying no to handicapped parking would change that? I’d suggest that families and friends encourage the pregnant ladies to take walks through the parks and just walk around the mall for exercise.
=)
.
.
.
.
or something like that.
YES!!!! You don’t know how often I wished for that, especially when I was pregnant and hauling a 2 year old. I also had C-Sections with both my babies – that alone warrants a temp. handicap parking permit.
Toward the end of pregnancy the body generates hormones that actually loosen the joints. This makes passage of the baby through the birth canal more easy. It also makes walking more awkward and even painful. That and the center of balance being thrown off to the belly make walking a more concentrated effort at times.
It depends… A lot of places are just adding a few spots at the front of the parking lot and marking them “reserved for expentant mothers” I think that would be better than letting every pregnant woman under the sun park in handicapped parking.
I really think it would depend how well it was enforced. If it was limited to last trimester or immediate postpartum as you are suggesting maybe, but unless it is monitored and their pass expires/is taken away who knows. Plus unless additional handicapped spots are added it would take up space for those individuals who are truly handicapped (my wheelchair bound grandmother who needs assistance in and out of the car)
Yea.
There are special parking spots of later expecting mother in Michigan and I think that works just fine because man is pregnancy hard on women’s ankles.
One of the stores here has “family” parking only…those with children. Pregnant parking would be nice. I know there was few times I was tempted to take the handy parking. Those who scream excercise can kiss my ass. When your pregnant just getting up to go pee is a freakin’ chore. Plus..won’t you get pleny of exercise walking around the market, pushing that full cart of groceries? Do we truly need to throw in a ten mile hike (with the grocery cart, because they don’t take your groceries out any more!) back to the car?
No.
No. Â How would you regulate it? Â Are they going to issue stickers or something to pregnant women? Â Also, around here it’s usually elderly people who have handicapped stickers, so I sort of feel like it’s respectful to keep those spots open for the elderly and/or handicapped people.
I do think that you should actually have to be recognizably handicapped before you just get a handicapped sticker/license plate.
Hell yes!!!!!
Pregnant women shouldn’t be driving then.
But sure! Why not?
Sure. I don’t see why not. Pregnancy is a very physically demanding time.
I think this is an amazing idea, a legal manifestation of society embedding common sense in it’s priorities.
No, because if you’re that much in pain, then stay home!
I think that would be great for a pregnant woman. In Australia we have parents with pram parking. I think this would be good as its askward when you have kids or are pregnant to move around.
-Heidi
Yes.
I think it should be an option. I had a c/section with complications afterward and an open wound for about 2 months. It would have been nice in that first month when I was still in a lot of pain and had very little energy.
YES!! Try carrying all that extra weight that makes you so off balance….it is more than fair… Up here we have “Expectant Mothers/New Mother’s Parking”
That’s retarded. It’s not like the baby’s gonna fall out. And afterward the birth, shouldn’t she still be in the hospital bed if she can’t even walk??
The only time I thought it was a good idea was when I was pregnant. It may very well be that a pregnant woman should get a handicapped spot, but it really isn’t fair to people who have actual disabilities. I used to work with a guy in a wheelchair. There was nothing that frustrated me more than people who could walk taking up van spaces.
i think the exercise bit is ridiculous… if a woman is in the mood for some walking she wont park there… but pregnant women really do have special needs
we have special parking spaces for pregnant women at our malls..right near the handicapped spots..
NO, NO, NO! That is bullcrap.
Whether there are handicapped, overweight, whatever, disabled people have it hard enough finding available parking spots. Handicapped parking placards are issued and abused when they shouldn’t be.
The only ones that would not agree to this are the ones that have never been (or can’t get) pregnant. You can bet your ass I am all for this law. I parked in the handicapped stalls all the freakin’ time while I was pregnant and we don’t even have that law here!!
Um…just been reading some of the comments. Looks like the younger and having never been pregnant ones are quite adamant about saying NO. To me, it kind of makes them sound selfish. Like they’re saying “if I don’t get to, you don’t get to.” All I can say is “you just wait ladies.”
only if guys can use it when the pregnant woman in thier life has a weird food craving at 3am in the morning and we have to go get it.
Well, they are handicapped to a degree, with all that extra pressure on their lower backs and the stress of walking. Let ’em use the handicap space: the whole ‘two birds with one stone’ approach is acceptable.
’nuff said…
LISTEN,
I didn’t gain weight until the pain of a broken neck forced me to take the damn pills I take. One of the more common side effects is weight gain.
I find that statement REALLY unfair and uncalled for as I was in great shape with rock climbing and kayaking previous to the neck being broken.
I guess you like seeing handicapped people fall down in the parking lot when their own bodies no longer function likes yours does.
I’ll never be one, so in that sense I don’t really care. ;p
But sure, why not. But um, how are they going to prove that they have had a baby in the past two months? And do they have to apply for a mirror hanger? ect.
Not unless it’s a problematic pregnancy.
YES!
No…
they are preg not handicapped!
but if the slot is not taken up, fully utilize it..
especially those handicapped toilets…
(look at the queue in female restroom!)
Having recently gone through pregnancy and childbirth, and knowing how exhausted I was even throuhg myn “easy” pregnancy, yes I think it would be nice to have this.
In some pregnancies, yes. But, as a matter of routine, no.
The “exercise” a woman gets while walking through the parking lot isn’t going to do much for her, especially if she’s not putting forth any other effort to exercise. I think that, while it could be abused, it’s a good idea. Before my son was born, I was so huge and exhausted that at times it was honestly daunting to think of walking to the store and then all through it. Then I had a c section and again, after a major surgery I’m more concerned about not wearing myself out than losing baby weight. All women have to go through a recovery period after giving birth, and this is one simple way to ease that. It means more than you might think.
Definitely, they should pass it. I’ve also been VERY pregnant (twice) and wished I didn’t had to walk so far or so much just to get inside of places that I needed to be in or shop at. But post-pregnancy is a different story. It’s not something that really needs to be a part of the bill. That would be stretching the thing too far, I think.
Not handicapped- here in NJ in some towns there are special New Mommy & Pregnant Mom parking spaces.
I have already seen many parking spaces near the handicapped spots that say “reserved for new and expectant mothers” there is no way to know if the women who park there actually are new or expecting mothers, its on the honor code but it seems to work (they aren’t constantly occupied).
Only if its during the last trimester.
This really bothers me. Another thing that bothers me are the reserved spots for families with young children. GMAFB. I gave birth to two kids, hauled all of their crap around, and made out just fine. And this was before all of the stroller/carseat/carrier contraptions they have out now. It’s not going to kill you to have to keep one kid in their carseat while you get the other’s stroller out of the car.
@CynaraJane -
agreed!
oh i’ve seen them. i was a little surprised ><
i don’t really think so?
Perhaps yes. There are only a few handicapped parking spots anyway.
Why not just make all parking spaces a quarter-mile away from the door, and on the top floor of a 5 story parking garage that doesn’t have an elevator. Now that might curb the obesity “epidemic”.
I agree with the exercise theory-
Gimps have all day to make their ways across the parking lot. They don’t have jobs to go to.
Yes, as long they use it in the time frame they were given. I see some people abused the handicap parking spot by continuing using the parking after they got better from their injury.
It could make sense for the legislature to explicitly include late stages of pregnancy as a condition that a doctor could consider in signing for a temporary handicap placard. But I think doctors could do that without any additional legislation, in considering limitations to mobility, which sometimes can tie to continual fatigue.
When you are pregnant you sometimes need all the help you can get including being able to park closer especially if your feet are swollen which makes walking in the first place painful.
I have to say husbands would LOVE this. I’m not a husband or a father, but this would be one of the great highlights of having a pregnant wife. lol.
Yes. Many of you have obviously never been pregnant (or had to work on your feet all of the time during it).
And when I do find a “pregnant or new mother” parking space (there are sometimes special ones designated just for that), I use it mainly because my bladder simply cannot make it across a crowded lot.
As a person with a disability, (Cerebral Palsy) who has a placard, I wouldn’t object to pregnant women getting one for those months. I would object, however, to them abusing the privilege, and giving the placards to others to use, or keeping them and using them for longer than they are intended.
Maybe in the last few month of their pregnancy yes, but not in the first months after.
i would say make a special exercise room for he pregnant ladies.
I think so. It’s kinda hard to exercise when you are pregnant, especially that far along. I say cut the woman some slack and let her park closer. She’ll have trouble later on with the kid and the dad not really helping.
At our grocery store, we have a “Mommy to be” parking space. Maybe instead of taking over the handicap spots, there could be more of the mom to be spots. People might be less inclined to disagree.
In Ecuador, where I live, we have handicapped parking spaces and pregnant parking spaces. Some places combine the two. I think it’s a great idea.
And as for handicapped people who don’t look handicapped, I’m sure there are people who abuse the system, but there are disabilities that are not immediately obvious to the casual observer.
Yes!
yes. less chance of falling, being attacked or run over.
Anyone who says no should try being pregnant for 9 months….
I gained 55 lbs (sugar), my legs swelled terrible, and I had c-sections. I am all for it, although I’m not sure I’m having more then two!
I don’t really care. I suppose that fat people should then get a special parking section a mile off, since they need the exercise. That would suck though, being stuck driving behind slow walking fat pedestrians while trying to get to a parking space.
For some reason at the local Shaw’s there are “new mother” parking spots.
I think obese people should only be allowed to park in overflow parking and the spots the furthest out.
Yes of course. I mean I think they’ve earned it…
A lot of places here in Georgia have pregnancy parking after the handicapped spots.
Personally, if someone is having a complicated pregnancy, then I don’t see why she can’t use the spots–but a perfectly healthy, normal pregnancy doesn’t need them. It’s case-by-case, really.
Yes, they should be allowed. Pregnancy puts your body through a lotttt.
If I were a pregnant woman, yes.
If not, no. Just because I’d be jealous. ;P
All I can say is if you’ve never been pregnant don’t say it’s stupid……. though I don’t think we should be able to use the handicapped stalls , I think it would be nice to be able to use a stall next to the handicapped stall…..Pregnancy and childbirth is hard on your body, it would be nice to be pampered!
yes cause woman are already plannin for a hard road ahead so why not park n peace
it’s hard to walk at the end. Getting the groceries is hard enough without having to walk across the parking lot too. That goes for the first 2 months after the birth. You’re healing from the birth and hauling the baby. Yes, they should definitely be able to use handicap spots.
If they are having problems like swelling of the feet and more major issues then yes they should be allowed. It should be up to them and their doctors to make that choice.
do they get issued a permit by a doctor? if not, couldn’t any woman just park there and be like: oh im pregnant, im just not showing. i dunno. i think it’s pretty stupid. if a woman can’t walk a few extra steps, she shouldn’t be out and about anyways. pregnant women decide to keep their babies and be pregnant. the handicap don’t choose to be handicapped. that’s why they get special treatment.
No because pregnant women are capable of helping themselves
Oh and pregnant women should walk more than just a few feet away from the car to the grocery store. Walking helps shorten the labor process by working out the muscles needed for delivery. One of my best friends from high school was in labor for one hour because she did her daily exercise and walked a lot. Goodness, Americans are becoming rather lazy.
Of course. Especially when some “handicapped” people look perfectly fine to me to walk a bit farther.
“Some places have maternity parking.”
yah accha hai.
If it’s when they’re REALLY REALLY PREGNANT, then sure. But not when the baby’s a newborn.
If the woman is in the final stages of her pregnancy and could pop any day now, then yes I think they should be able to use handicapped parking spots.
In fact, the mall down here where I live has special parking spots for pregnant women.