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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Aibu. To use parent parking at 33 weeks pregnant?

63 replies

rosiedays · 02/06/2013 13:13

Yesterday was long day. In and out of car and lots of walking miles. By 6pm I hurt everywhere. We had 1 more shop to go to. Dh has a 2 door car with really heavy doors. I have to open them with my foot and heave myself out(glamorous! )
So... could we have parked in nice big space right outside doors? ? (We didn't as i couldn't decide if it was okay or not)

OP posts:

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SirChenjin · 03/06/2013 08:15

If you couldn't walk very far without fainting - and so 'needed' a P&C space at 10 weeks because you had hyperemesis - then how on earth did you manage to walk round the shop or shopping centre without passing out? Walking round a supermarket is a much further distance than that of a normal parking space to the door, let's face it. And more to the point, if you were fainting that often at 10 weeks, why on earth were you not hospitalised?

Cluffyflump · 03/06/2013 09:00

I was in and out of hospital (more time in than out) and I wanted to pop into the supermarket to ger some stuff/stop me going crazy.
I had dh with me so he could lead/carry me to a seat if it all got a bit much.
Because I was so unwell for so long (it felt like years!) I really needed to get out every now and then.
I didn't go and do a full shop. Just bits I needed ie shampoo that didn't make me feel worse, new pjs and slippers for hospital, presents for older dc. That kind of stuff.
I didn't go out very often and only went when the shop wasn't packed.
I really don't think a healthy person with a baby/toddler needed the space more than I did.

MrsMangoBiscuit · 03/06/2013 09:10

Well fwiw I certainly wouldn't begrudge you taking the last spot. I'm also pregnant, but not house sized yet, and have a 3yo in a car seat.

I did get glared at the other day for taking a P&C space in B&Q though. A proper, hands thrown in the air, huffing glare! It was a proud moment. They did have the decency to look a bit sheepish after they saw my haul my bulk out of the car then lean in the back door to extricate DD. And yes, the other driver sat there long enough to watch all of it.

Original poster

rosiedays · 03/06/2013 09:12

Oh cluffy that sounds awful. Glad you used the space!
Please let's not get personal and nasty. Just looking for opinions as to whether or not parent parking is accessible to heavily pregnant women.
Thank you all for your interesting replys.

OP posts:

boardingschoolbaby · 03/06/2013 09:16

Absolutely use one- I got blocked out of my car twice when I was heavily pregnant as people parked really close to the side in the ordinary spots and the combo of being big and pregnant with a car with thick doors meant I couldn't physically fit in the opening. Parent and child spots are there to allow extra space for opening doors for child seats etc so if you need the space then go for it. There is nothing anyone could do or say anyway; they are not a legal thing like disabled parking, they are simply a courtesy.

Teaandflapjacks · 03/06/2013 10:46

Er - totally use the space!!!!! I personally get a right bee in my bonnet, and have been known to wind window down and tell people off (ie builder with their white vans) for regular joes using these spaces. I also have an issue with parents with older children using then - 14 years old teen-ager and parent?! Actually I believe they are for up to 5 years in age, which may be a bit young. But come one - an 8 year old is perfectly capable of walking and as such said parent should not abuse these spaces for the more deserving. They are having a giraffe! They are - IMO - for parents who would struggle otherwise with spaces far away/rammed in etc - that means babies, toddler, and, yes heavily pregnant women struggling. If I saw someone like this using this space it would not bother me at all.

If you don't struggle during pregnancy great - I know some people really don't. But some people have a shocking time of it. Some people are single mothers to be, or don't have their husband/partner there all the time to ferry them about, however nice that would be! I.e. My DH is not here during the week - he works away. I have not used one yet (31 weeks) however - I will use one if I feel the need later on. Currently I just (wo)man up a bit and get on with it. But in any case, mostly those spaces are always full, and this then involves two loops round the car park rather than just taking the nearest spot and walking a bit for me.

Panzee · 03/06/2013 10:51

I did it once. Decided that I was so huge no-one would dare argue with me! :o
Incidentally the new p&c spaces at my local supermarket are behind the store, a quiet area with huge spaces, but it takes longer to walk to the store (trolleys are there to put the children in though). As a result nobody parks there who hasn't got kids.

farmersdaughter · 03/06/2013 11:50

When I was very pregnant with DD, the lady at the checkout told me I should be using the parent and child spaces to park in.

Smerlin · 03/06/2013 17:39

If you're too big to be able to get in and out of your car in a normal space then you have to do it. Depends on the car park really.

It's all very well people saying that your OH should drop you off but what if you are on your own- it's either park there or get trapped in or out of your own car!!!

I think it's pretty vile that people who have experienced the rigours of pregnancy and have their own children would shout at a heavily pregnant woman for using the space.

The child is still there and needs protecting, just because it happens to be inside you.

Purplemonster · 03/06/2013 17:54

I wondered this the other day, I'm 37 weeks with spd and currently still driving a 2 seater car which is quite difficult to get in and out of if the s

Purplemonster · 03/06/2013 17:57

Spaces are tight. I didn't dare use all the empty parent and child spaces though incase I came home to see a ranty thread on here about it.

I did (gently) knock my door into a car which was parked far too close to mine at the hospital the other day and got a filthy look from the driver. I've no idea how he thought I could get in my car otherwise the size I am. I'd normally be very apologetic but thought bollocks and have him a filthy look back.

firawla · 03/06/2013 17:58

I think it would be fine, not so much if someone is in early pregnancy but heavily pregnant yes

slightlysoupstained · 03/06/2013 19:00

YANBU, I think it's perfectly reasonable for heavily pregnant women to use the space. Yes, by all means drop off near entrance IF you have someone driving you, but if not FGS how do you get out of/back into car?

It's easier (not easy, but easier) for me to get DS out of car and into trolley now at 9 months than it was for me to get myself plus bump out with SPD. Am so glad not to have SPD now that I couldn't begrudge a pg woman a space.

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