I parked in the "Expectant Mothers" space at Babies R' Us

[Alvenchrst]

Yes I totally did! I felt slightly ridiculous in my head for doing so since I figure the reason Babies R' Us puts those spaces right up front is because pregnancy takes a physical toll and it's nice to not walk so far. I'm sure nobody noticed or cared, but it was kind of fun. I had my two youngest with me anyway and it was helpful, and I was going there specifically to buy something for the future adoptive child and I do technically consider myself an "Expectant Mother." Come to think of it, it's nice that they put Expectant Mother when they could have put, Pregnant Mother.

Anyone else ever done this before?? Or told someone "I'm Expecting"?

[Polliwog]

I didn't and honestly, if I was pregnant and really needed that spot I'd be pissed. I understand why you did it, and why it felt right to you, but I wouldn't have done it.

[Alvenchrst]

It was 9:30 am and only 2 cars in the parking lot . . .

[Lynn08]

Dh and I stopped by one evening when I was about 8 months pregnant and the lot was full. The car in front of us pulled into the last "Expectant Mothers" spot and the only person who got out of the car was a fit-looking young man. : Dh said something to him and he looked at the sign, looked at me, and shrugged before walking in the store.

At least you are a woman! For all anyone else knew, you were early in your pregnancy. Pus, you had two other children with you and the lot was practically empty. I don't see anything wrong with it. And congrats on the new babe!

[alicia622]

I say good for you! I have always found those spots kind of silly. our grocery store has pharmacy spots. I will park in them if available and there isn't anything else close by.

[rainyday]

Originally Posted by Polliwog

I didn't and honestly, if I was pregnant and really needed that spot I'd be pissed. I understand why you did it, and why it felt right to you, but I wouldn't have done it.

Yes. This. Except I can't understand why you did it - especially when you acknowledge that pregnancy can take a physical toll on someone and that's probably why stores sometimes have these spots.

As someone who has been nine and a half months pregnant with a pubic symphasis separation, I can tell you that having to walk can be agonizing for someone who's very pregnant. It was uncomfortable before my pubic symphasis split, but after it did, it was agonizing. And sometimes I still had to do it because I needed things before the baby came. When I needed those spots, I REALLY appreciated them.

Come on. There were two cars in the lot, and you couldn't be bothered to park in a different spot? I understand you're expecting a child too, but if you know those spots are really meant for women who really need them, then why use them? I have the exact same reaction, by the way, to someone who is pregnant but feels fine and can walk just fine without any problems.

[Maluhia]

I think as a silly one time thing in an empty parking lot, no biggie.

In general, as a political/social statement in an on-going way? mean. I had pubic separation like the PP and a deployed husband - if I could not find front seat parking I'd have to park and wait for someone closer to move their car and hope I caught it before some new driver. Those spaces, lifesaver for those of us with difficult pregnancies.

[spedteacher30]

ehhh. all the ones around here say "moms to be or parents with small children." you fit both groups, so I say go ahead.

i will still very occasionally use the spot (my little one is 3) because it can be dangerous to have him trail me through a busy parking lot, so i figure the less time he is dodging and weaving cars the better.

[pixiekisses]

Nope, we don't even have those spots here. Only handicap spots and regular.
But if we did have them I'd only use them if I was in need, like being very pregnant and having troubles walking etc. It's the same as the handicap spots in my head, those that actually are entitled/in need of them uses them and the rest of us should stay away. (They are actually there for a reason, etc.)

[honey-lilac]

I think it's sweet that the OP is so excited that she's going to have a baby soon. You can just tell the enthusiasm coming from her post!

However, as someone who has had two agonizing pregnancies, I can more than vouch for the fact that those spots (rare as they may be around here) can be lifesavers. And I'm sorry, but when you have no support system, and no one to pick up the slack, sometimes you do have to go out in public, even if you're in a LOT of pain. I remember going grocery shopping once because I had nothing in the house to eat - literally. DH was in the hospital and I hadn't felt good enough to shop for weeks and I was out of EVERYTHING. It took me about an hour to throw a couple of things in the cart, and I threw up (discreetly as I could) several times in the process. Every step was sheer willpower. People gave me dirty looks, but did anyone offer to help? On the other hand, what am I supposed to do, starve myself or my baby? Not every case is that extreme, I realize completely. However, especially if it's last minute and you're that pregnant and you have to get something before baby arrives. Or maybe you don't really NEED it but you're nesting and you might as well NEED it because it seems really that imperative.

I view those spaces as disabled parking, honestly, so I wouldn't take the spot normally. But in a totally empty parking lot early in the morning, that's not a big deal and I wouldn't bat an eye at it.

Congratulations, OP, on expecting.

[Alvenchrst]

Wow, i had no idea a parking spot could be so polarizing! lol

adoption parenting aside, I'm thankful that in the States we have handicap parking and accessibility when most places in the world don't have it. My sis-in-law has extreme hyperemisis (nausea) and got a handicap placard for her pregnancy because she truly "needed" it. I'm sorry for some of the tough spots you mamas have been in, motherhood and life can throw difficult things our way.

[holyhelianthus]

So for those essentially saying if you have a difficult pregnancy you shouldn't go out how do you feel about the handicap in general? Life difficulties or no life has to go on. Society trying to make it easier on those of us with physical issues is the nice thing to do.

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by pixiekisses

Nope, we don't even have those spots here. Only handicap spots and regular.
But if we did have them I'd only use them if I was in need, like being very pregnant and having troubles walking etc. It's the same as the handicap spots in my head, those that actually are entitled/in need of them uses them and the rest of us should stay away. (They are actually there for a reason, etc.)

:

[changingseasons]

Originally Posted by magstphil

So for those essentially saying if you have a difficult pregnancy you shouldn't go out how do you feel about the handicap in general? Life difficulties or no life has to go on. Society trying to make it easier on those of us with physical issues is the nice thing to do.

No, I just don't think that you can get pissed at an expectant mother for parking in the expectant mother parking just because she's not as physically incapacitated as some other expectant mothers.

[Evergreen]

Originally Posted by Alvenchrst

Wow, i had no idea a parking spot could be so polarizing! lol

adoption parenting aside, I'm thankful that in the States we have handicap parking and accessibility when most places in the world don't have it. My sis-in-law has extreme hyperemisis (nausea) and got a handicap placard for her pregnancy because she truly "needed" it. I'm sorry for some of the tough spots you mamas have been in, motherhood and life can throw difficult things our way.

So did I. And got one when I injured my sciatic nerve after birth.

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

No, I just don't think that you can get pissed at an expectant mother for parking in the expectant mother parking just because she's not as physically incapacitated as some other expectant mothers.

Really? When the entire purpose of the spot is to help those with a physical condition? The mentally disabled don't reap the same benefits as the physically when it comes to handicap spots because they are in place to make public outings easier for those with a physical need. Now that is not to say those without a physical need are less-than or whatever. Still they are different circumstances.

BTW, congrats OP! :

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by changingseasons

No, I just don't think that you can get pissed at an expectant mother for parking in the expectant mother parking just because she's not as physically incapacitated as some other expectant mothers.

When I was pregnant such that every step I took meant that much more agony, you'd better believe I would have been.

[eclipse]

Since those spots are provided as a service to customers and not out of any sort of legal obligation (or even with a sign that says "pregnant moms with issues making it hard to walk), I don't think there's a problem with an expectant mom who is not pregnant (or even a newly post partum mom) parking in them.

Congrats, expectant mom OP!

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by magstphil

Really? When the entire purpose of the spot is to help those with a physical condition?

I don't really know what the purpose of the spots are. I think there's a huge difference between these and disabled parking.

[holyhelianthus]

Originally Posted by eclipse

I don't really know what the purpose of the spots are. I think there's a huge difference between these and disabled parking.

How so? How would it make sense to have these spots closer to the entrance if only for show? I don't think these spots are about status or show and I hope someday in the near future they will have the same legality surrounding them as the traditional handicap ones.