Parent-and-child parking bays

[greatorex2017]

Can pregnant woman use these? I'm 35 weeks now and am fed up of cars parking so close to me I struggle to get back in my car 😂 so wondered what the law/rules were regarding mother and child bays?

I don't think there are any laws about it. Ask a supermarket if you are ok to park there. I'm sure it will be ok.

Thanks I will ask... I did google and this came straight up! www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12199526/pregnant-woman-fined-for-using-family-parking-space-at-Asda.html

I used one once at the end of my pregnancy OP!
The previous time I'd been to the supermarket someone parked so close I had to climb in through the passenger side not easy! I can't imagine anyone would have something negative to say.

I don’t think there are any laws/ rules. P&C spaces are just a nicety and in no way enforceable. So I think you have just as much right as anyone else. And I say that as someone who’s had two DC and knows it’s preferable to use them but not essential. Good luck with your pregnancy - exciting time

Using the P&C spaces with wild abandon is the one aspect of being pregnant with a toddler in situ already that I actually appreciate.

I wouldn't judge any other pregnant woman using them either.

I think when you're clearly very heavily pregnant, nobody would roll their eyes and tut at you for using one...

I absolutely hate it when people use parent/child spaces if they don’t need it, it’s so frigging selfish - unfortunately when you’re massive and there are no end spaces left there’s sometimes little you can do. I’d say try to find another one first, because getting a child out of the car in a normal spot is impossible if they’re in an infant seat, so you could really be hindering somebody else... but if you have no choice then fair enough, but expect some seriously pissed off parent or passers by! Ive seen a lot of people get slated for using them sans child. I’m absolutely massive and I manage still most of the time, but I’ve started taking two spots of normal ones (park on the line) and going at a quieter time in the day... totally frowned upon! But I feel it’s the only valid option right now

Yes I always try to find an end space etc but sometimes I don't have a choice to go at a quiet time of the day! 😐 if I parked on a white line and took up two spaces I would prob be named and shamed on our local FB page 🤣 that tends to happen quite a lot!!

I'm huge at the moment (due anytime), and suffering from very bad pgp.. so having a bigger space is essential for me... pregnancy is not a disability but it can be severely debilitating, and I definitely think that shops need to consider the needs of heavily pregnant women.

I'm having issues walking for more than 10 minutes, as it then becomes excruciating, and a walk to far side of the car park would mean that a shopping trip to that store is unfeasible..

I'd definitely change my shopping habits when pregnant if it was made clear I could park there..

You are carrying a baby just because the baby is inside you makes no difference as far as I can see.

I am too! I just don't want to be fined!! 🙈

You can't get fined for using a P&C parking space. The most you would get would be a few dirty looks. For all anybody knows you are parking your car before picking up your partner and child from the supermarket.

I would just go ahead and use them. I see plenty of people with older children who are perfectly capable of walking from a ‘normal’ space use them and would argue that your need is far greater.

I spent a long time googling this when I was heavily pregnant with horrible pgp, and it actually says on some supermarket policies online (ASDA I think it was?) you can use from 6 months pregnant. do it!

I'm sure the supermarkets near me state pretty clearly that they are for expectant mothers and those with children under 5. I wouldn't bat an eyelid if I saw you using one

In theory I agree you should be able to use them. In practice I'm 9 months pregnant and can barely get out of the car with the doors wide open and I still can't bring myself to use them unless my toddler is with me. I think I'm worried someone will shout at me.

After two days running where i have had to squeeze my bulk in through the passenger side to get into my car, i don't even bother looking for other spaces now. If anyone approached me all pissed off about it they'd be told to jump....i have a huge belly, severe SPD & sciatica & quite frankly have had enough of selfish arseholes more interested in protecting their precious cars than whether anybody else is inconvenienced.

Sorry, rough day 😆

Yes I'm worried I might get shouted at or told off haha! Okay, I'll be brave and park in them if it's really busy