I parked in the "Expectant Mothers" space at Babies R' Us - Page 5

[Natalie12]

For those of us who have never been pregnant, we get almost no special treatment when we're expectant mothers through adoption. I've frequently thought about doing what the OP did. Sometimes it can be hard to hear from people who adopted and have biological children. Try to put yourselves in our shoes, please, and realize that we need some acknowledgement too.

[poiyt]

You know...ive never thought those were for pregnant mama's who have trouble walking - Im in the crowd that doesnt look at pregnancy as a hendicap.

I always thought...babies need a lot of crap, there is a lot of large purchases most familes make (strollers, carseats, cribs, baths...yadda yadda..etc..etc..) I always thought those spots were there so people buy all the big stuff wouldnt have to carry it so far..or so the toys r us guys who help you out wouldnt have to go so far...

[vbactivist]

not an adoptive mom here, but I think its fine that the op took the spot. If a pregnant women is needing to walk less, then its very easy to get a temporary tag for handicapped parking.

[wanderinggypsy]

I've always thought it's the mom juggling a baby and a toddler who really deserves easy access parking.

That having been said, expectant is expectant. Enjoy those spots, mamas (both bio and adoptive!)

And congrats to the OP who will obviously be a great mom to her new little one!

[sprouthead]

Yay, OP! Congratulations! I know the BRU near me (or at least the one near me when I was pregnant) had like, 9 of those spots and they were never all full. I usually didn't park in them anyways because I felt like I needed the exercise.. I'd like to think that you wouldn't have taken the last spot on a crowded day, but I'd like to think that most pregnant moms who don't *need* a close up spot would leave the last spot for someone who may need it more.. Like a pp said- expecting is expecting! You deserve special treatment too!

[mjol]

I think the parent parking is a way for other drivers to be aware that kids are exiting and entering the vehicle and that strollers/carseats/baby gear is most likely going to touch your car!
I park there if available but I definitely don't drive around until one becomes available. ALso when i was in the late stages of pregnancy sometimes other cars would park so close to ours that i actually had to rub my poor belly along the cars to get in and out... SO parent parking isn't for the lazy it is for the parents/expecting and new to have a little help in their day.

[inkedmamajama]

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.

I had extreme hyperemesis and pubic symphasis and still couldnt get a handicapped placard(And my ob wouldnt even give me a note excusing me from work, because 'she worked through her pregnancy') im glad that other mamas experiencing these problems are able to get temp. handicapped passes though.

and on the original topic...most of our local spots say "for expectant mothers or mothers of young children" so since i have a little bit, i do park there if i cant find another spot.

[SarahGuinn]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

not an adoptive mom here, but I think its fine that the op took the spot. If a pregnant women is needing to walk less, then its very easy to get a temporary tag for handicapped parking.

That's just not true, it is not that easy.

If the parking lot was empty, I think the OP grabbing herself a little joy via a parking space is just fine.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by SarahGuinn

That's just not true, it is not that easy.

If the parking lot was empty, I think the OP grabbing herself a little joy via a parking space is just fine.

If the expectant mother is truly in need of a placard, then the ob has the ability to order one for her. the pp who said her ob wouldn't because she "worked through her pregnancy"; needed to find a different ob.

[inkedmamajama]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

If the expectant mother is truly in need of a placard, then the ob has the ability to order one for her. the pp who said her ob wouldn't because she "worked through her pregnancy"; needed to find a different ob.

(i really dont want to derail the thread-but i will say that switching obs was not an option for me, though i did have parallel care with a great midwife in the area.)

[Triciabn]

LOL... I don't think those spots have anymore legal validity then the ones at peoples homes marked "________<insert sports team or dog lover> parking only".....
I mean anyone can make those up. They are just there for endearing purposes...
I say park up a storm.
Tricia

[SarahGuinn]

Originally Posted by vbactivist

If the expectant mother is truly in need of a placard, then the ob has the ability to order one for her. the pp who said her ob wouldn't because she "worked through her pregnancy"; needed to find a different ob.

You're assuming that 1) she's using an OB and not a midwife, lay or otherwise, and 2) that the ability is the same as the desire to do so and 3) that people always have the option to just drop their provider and retain new care. It just doesn't flow that way too often.

[aja-belly]

oh my god i can not believe this thread does not just die.

[coffee.caugh]

When I was pregnant with my son it became very very uncomfortable towards the end. I had to do a lot of things on my own since DH was roking round the clock and my family lived not so close by.. and I didn't have any friends to help either. Going to the store and praying I could snatch the expecting or new mothers spot each time was so annoying, especially when I see a woman who is not more than 4 or so months along getting out of her car, or men.. or whoever else decides to take away the spot from me or other ladies who are having such a hard time of it.

I look at them as handicapped spots really. You should only use them if you have to. I know you are an expectant mother, sure, but physically you are fine to walk those extra steps. And yea, it was 9 in the morning, but I went a lot of places at 9 in the morning.

Not trying to flame you but thats just my opinion. Congratulations on the baby

[_betsy_]

I assume those spots are there at BRU because it's nice not to lug 2 full carts all the way through the parking lot by yourself, PG or otherwise expecting. I didn't really use them when I was PG the first time, but it was a nice option the second time around when I had a toddler in tow. the only time I've looked askance at someone using the toddler/infant marked spots is when it was a 60+ yo old man who was alone and got out of his car barking "Damn it, the best spots in the lot should be open to ANYONE! Grumble grumble grumble."

It's a lot easier in some states than others to get a handicap placard. I think I've read here and on another message board that Ohio is like ridiculously easy to get a hangtag, and people have them for really no good reason, but in other states/municipalities, it's practically impossible to get them.

Our local library has spots up front for "Parents with infants, toddlers and strollers." I have an infant and a toddler but don't use a stroller most of the time we go there. I still use the spot if one's available. It's nice to be a little closer because my toddler is often VERY excited to be there and over-stimulated on the way out and it's just easier to have the car parked close by. But it's also no big deal if they are taken.

[lovebug]

Originally Posted by Whistler

I completely understand the need to do something tangible now and then to "feel expecting". It's really rough to be expecting a baby and there is so little acknowledgement from anyone around you. And since you were sensitive to the number of other cars in the lot, I see no problem at all!

Yep!

Originally Posted by runnerbrit

:: OP - Good for you! I hope that you are thrown a baby shower as well. ::

Our signs at Babies R' Us do not say Pregnant Women; they say Expectant Mothers Parking. They are designed to make a woman getting ready to be a mother fell special. OP is preparing to be a mom, therefore she qualifies.

I totally agree!

My question is... what do PG women that have walking issues and the such do at store that do not have "these" types of spots?

CONGRATS OP!!!!!!!!!!!! i would have taken the spot in your shoes! you earned it too!

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by SarahGuinn

You're assuming that 1) she's using an OB and not a midwife, lay or otherwise, and 2) that the ability is the same as the desire to do so and 3) that people always have the option to just drop their provider and retain new care. It just doesn't flow that way too often.

No. I'm not assuming anything. I am having a hard time believing if soemone were truly handicapped by her pregnancy, that she would be unable to obtain a handicapped placard.

[vbactivist]

Originally Posted by lovebug

Yep!


I totally agree!

My question is... what do PG women that have walking issues and the such do at store that do not have "these" types of spots?CONGRATS OP!!!!!!!!!!!! i would have taken the spot in your shoes! you earned it too!

Yes, I am wondering too. I think those spots are silly I think it's fine for the op to use them. I find it sad that some people think she shouldn't have. They are "vanity" spots. Not handicapped spots. I've been pregnant. Pretty miserably too at times. If I couldn't walk very far, I would drive around until someone left a close to the front door spot. No big deal.