Parent and child parking spaces- are they for pregnant women?

[Ohhbaby]

I thought parent and child parking spaces where for people with smallish children.
They are specifically wider as to not struggle popping a child back in a car seat.
But I'm prepared to be told they're for pregnant people too!
I was parking at a big grocery chain - there were no parent and child ones open, but I manage to park in a spot 2 spaces away from the parent and child one.
As I was getting my baby, 2 and 4 year old out, I saw a lady getting out of her car in the parent and child parking space. .
She had no children with her.
I was slightly annoyed as I don't think she should have used it.
I know I'm not entitled to a parent and child space and I don't mind if they're full- but they do make my life easier.
Easier to get the kids in and out without scratching another car, easier to get the pushchair in beside the car etc.

We went into the shop and I happen to shop in the same aisle as this woman.
I plucked up the courage to politely say. "You really shouldn't park in the parent and child spot if you don't have children"
She said " oh no I promise I have children- I have a 9 year old and I'm pregnant".
I just said ' o okay sure, sorry!" And felt somewhat bad for calling someone out that was pregnant ( you couldn't see it yet) ( but I was floored by the comment that she has a 9 year old. So what, he's not with you. The parking space isn't for someone who has kids, it's for someone who has kids with them). But I was too chicken to point it out.
But as the uncomfortability of addressing a stranger wore off I thought to myself: wait a minute, what does the fact that she is pregnant has to do with it?
I thought the spaces were wider not necessarily closer as to make it more convenient for pregnant women??

Am I just wholly uninformed?

Heavily pregnant, yes. They need the extra space to get out!

In your example, she was taking the piss.

As @SoupDragon says...yes..heavily pregnant I'd say use them. I don't think I would if you couldn't tell I was pregnant

People always park in them. MIL merrily does. It's so annoying.

No, they're for people who have to keep hold of small children who are outside the womb and who need extra space for the doors so they can manhandle them into car seats. They're regularly misused though.

They're for anyone to use as they aren't legally enforceable.

Heavily pregnant last year I wasn’t able to open the drivers door enough to get in. I had to climb over the passenger side - that was painful! After that I began using the parent and child. I had a couple of MEN tell me I shouldn’t be using it! Yes single men in the parent child places!!! Women would look and then see the huge bump and smile.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should.

Oh really? I didn't know this!
I have to say they make my life significantly easier, when I have the kids with me.
I never use them when I don't have the kids though and have to say that I do internally rage when I see someone without kids ( but with a nine year old at home🙄 use it)

Fair enough, I wouldn't do it, because I thought they werent for that reason, but wouldn't be angry at a visibly pregnant woman using it.
(That's why I felt bad for calling the woman out! But she made me shake my head about the 9 year old thing. )

I park in them on occasion if the disabled spaces are full.

I've had looks but no comments. I'd love for someone to pull me up on it.

FKAT · Today 16:01

They're for anyone to use as they aren't legally enforceable.

Whilst that's true, it makes people who abuse the ethos of them morally reprehensible.

My MIL parked in one the other day. Her argument was that all the disabled spaces were full and she had her child with her. Her child is in his 60s.

Heavily pregnant
Disabled
Children under the prescribed limit (some places this is 12!)

Does she have a BB?

Heavily pregnant absolutely yes. I've also had it where there wasn't space for me to get into the drivers seat and barely space to climb via the passenger seat either! So after that I started using the parent and child spaces. I wouldn't in early pregnancy though.

They are designated spaces that serve a practical purpose. Anyone without small children with them should not use them.

I think the mistake they make is putting them next to the store. They should put them away from the shop, next to a trolley park and this will stop people who don’t need the extra space for using them.

Also people have much bigger cars than when the spaces were originally lined which makes it all the more difficult! I think anyone who can’t easily get out (those large of stomach for any reason, children in car seats) should be able to use them.

Yes.

Would you? Why? So you could pull out your "I'm disabled" top trumps card?

You are of course entitled to park in those spaces as a BB holder. I don't get your shitty attitude about it though.

I would have said they are for parents with small children, not pregnant women or older children. I always parked at the far end of car parks regardless. For some reason, absolutely everyone tries to get parked as close to the shop as they can. Parking at a distance meant no one parking either side of you anyway, so plenty of space. I still do it now.

I don't have a shitty attitude. It's no one else's business why someone with a BB parks in a CP space if the BB spaces are full

So there is no problem then

Then I can’t see the issue.

Ime there often not enough disabled spaces. Totally fair to then use the P&C so the person can open the door wide etc….

Can i use the parent and baby space because im fat???

I look pregnant to be fair 😂😂😂😂😂

Anyone who NEEDS them should be able to use them, IMO. BB holder, heavily pregnant, temporarily injured passenger (ie not a BB holder but temporarily needing extra width and unable to walk far).
They're only there to get people with bigger cars and bigger families (and therefore bigger food budget) to use that particular supermarket, it's not Mr Tesco being kind to parents with young children to make there lives easier, it's about the £.