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Original poster

Is it ok to use parent and child spaces at 27 weeks pregnant?

131 replies

dogmumma90 · 30/10/2024 17:26

There have been a few times recently where my husband has had to move my car out of parking spaces, because the car next to me has parked too close and I can't get in.

I have a large car and always park sensibly and carefully, but people seem to come along and park close to me, so I then can't get back in the car because I'm 27 weeks pregnant. In one case I was there alone and a very kind stranger had to move my car out of the space for me because I couldn't get in!

I hate to take up a parent and child space for someone who actually has a young child with them, but would I be unreasonable to start using one of these spaces now?

OP posts:
Original poster
dogmumma90 · 30/10/2024 18:10

To clarify, I do always try to park far away from the store and in end spaces if possible. Unfortunately that was exactly what I'd done when I was somewhere alone, got back to the car and someone had parked their (even bigger) car on the white line and I had to hang around waiting for them to come back before I could get in.

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 30/10/2024 18:06

MsCactus · 30/10/2024 18:04

Fat can be squashed to fit in smaller spaces - a pregnant bump is rock hard and can't be squashed down to fit in small spaces

That's true.

It might be good if these car parks started doing larger spaces but at the furthest point from the store. So accommodating big cars, pregnancy, overweight but not taking up valuable close to the store/path space.

Original poster
dogmumma90 · 30/10/2024 18:06

Completelyjo · 30/10/2024 17:49

Personally I think it’s a bit much, you aren’t even in the 3rd trimester, the bump can’t really be that big so surely you must struggle to get out of your car when not pregnant then?

Nope, no problem getting out of my car.

I face issues when I get back to the car and someone has basically parked on the white line and I can't open the door wide enough to get back in.

OP posts:
MsCactus · 30/10/2024 18:05

*Meant to quote a poster saying what's the diff between overweight and pregnant using the spaces

MsCactus · 30/10/2024 18:04

Fat can be squashed to fit in smaller spaces - a pregnant bump is rock hard and can't be squashed down to fit in small spaces

takealettermsjones · 30/10/2024 18:01

Pregnant women need them more than parents of older kids imo!

KezzaMucklowe · 30/10/2024 18:00

There'll always be the odd person who will argue point that they're not for pregnant people.
Tbh I always roll my eyes a bit at the lack of flexibility in that way of thinking.
Just use the space it's fine.
No reasonable person would begrudge it.

Original poster
dogmumma90 · 30/10/2024 17:58

misszebra · 30/10/2024 17:53

absolutely OP you are entitled to park there. ignore the sanctimonious comments about changing your car. Hope pregnancy is going well!

Thank you @misszebra! ❤️ It's had its ups and downs, but it's going well on the whole!

As strangers don't know my life/situation, I did find the comments telling me to change my car a bit presumptuous! 😅

OP posts:
TriangleLight · 30/10/2024 17:57

It’s fine

arethereanyleftatall · 30/10/2024 17:57

I'm going for no, park further away.

Just because these spaces are about safety too. Stops kids running about a carpark. In your shoes I wouldn't want to make a car park less safe for a kid by taking the last space.

It must be the same situation for anyone who is overweight and has a big car.

Lifestooshort71 · 30/10/2024 17:57

misszebra · 30/10/2024 17:47

OP is PREGNANT not overweight

Show quote history

She said she struggled to get out of the car because the one next to her had parked too close - presumably that was because of her baby bump? So, if that bump had been because she was OVERWEIGHT, what would be the difference?

itsgettingweird · 30/10/2024 17:55

P and C spaces are courtesy spaces.

Legally anyone can use them.

Personally I'd park as far away from door as possible in an end spot to leave them free - but that's because I also know many people like me with disabled dependents need the p and c spaces as they are often closer than BB spaces and there's always far more of them!

misszebra · 30/10/2024 17:55

Completelyjo · 30/10/2024 17:49

Personally I think it’s a bit much, you aren’t even in the 3rd trimester, the bump can’t really be that big so surely you must struggle to get out of your car when not pregnant then?

'because I'm 27 weeks pregnant'. that is the reason for the struggle. OP mentioned nothing about previous problems so it is fair to assume there was not any.

misszebra · 30/10/2024 17:53

absolutely OP you are entitled to park there. ignore the sanctimonious comments about changing your car. Hope pregnancy is going well!

soggybanana · 30/10/2024 17:51

Yes use the parent and child.

Completelyjo · 30/10/2024 17:49

Personally I think it’s a bit much, you aren’t even in the 3rd trimester, the bump can’t really be that big so surely you must struggle to get out of your car when not pregnant then?

misszebra · 30/10/2024 17:47

Lifestooshort71 · 30/10/2024 17:39

That's the problem with big cars isn't it? If you were overweight instead of pregnant where would you park? Personally I'd look to park further away if possible.

OP is PREGNANT not overweight

Sirzy · 30/10/2024 17:46

If it makes life easier then use them. They are just a marketing ploy anyway.

people need extra space for lots of reasons

iamtheblcksheep · 30/10/2024 17:46

Of course you can park there.

Maray1967 · 30/10/2024 17:45

TTPDTS · 30/10/2024 17:31

You'll always get some people saying yes, some people saying no!

If there's an option to park further away in the car park where perhaps there's some more spaces free then that might be a good idea?

Parent and child spaces are a courtesy so I feel like the rules are dependant on who provides the spaces? Normally I'd assume for people with younger children - I certainly wouldn't begrudge someone heavily pregnant using one though!

Neither would I, and I have had words with people taking the proverbial with them.

Wingedharpy · 30/10/2024 17:44

To be fair, car parking spaces are very narrow these days - to squash more in on the pitch size available I presume. You are a parent and child - albeit in 1 unit at the moment!.
Further away if mobility not an issue or parent and child if that's what's needed.

Lifestooshort71 · 30/10/2024 17:39

That's the problem with big cars isn't it? If you were overweight instead of pregnant where would you park? Personally I'd look to park further away if possible.

roseymoira · 30/10/2024 17:39

Or get a normal sized car? Everyone seems to need a massive car that they struggle to fit in a space with sufficient room to get in and out

HowcanIhelp123 · 30/10/2024 17:38

Of course, I used them when I needed to at the end of my third trimester. You need extra room because of the baby. Though I certainly wouldn't have needed the extra help at 27 weeks. I totally get people get bigger at different rates and have different levels of maneuverability when pregnant but I suspect you know the main issue is the size of the car you drive.

You have a car that's already pushing the limits of the space. Lots of people, that often don't need them, are getting these massive SUVs then can't use car parks properly. It's just not properly considered when everyone is flocking to buy these popular huge cars.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 30/10/2024 17:35

The spaces are a courtesy not legally enforceable so technically anyone can use them and you definitely have a need for the extra room. I don't mind if disabled people use them if all the blue badge spaces are full.

In the US our local supermarket had two spaces set aside for pregnant women, which was sensible.