Should pregnant women be considered "handicapped" for handicap parking?

If a woman is that close to being due that she needs close parking while she shops incase she goes into labor, maybe she should be closer to home.

The mall I first saw the parking spots is walking distance from my home. I could see a mother to be going there if she lived in my apartment complex. It is real close to home. And we are about 5-6 minutes from the hospital.

But what about people that are a large as a pregnant woman? They ahve a hard time walking. PEople with 3 or more kids - they only have two hands and have to accomodate three bodies...where does it end? There are all kinds of problems out there that could be said deserving of handicap parking or special close up parking. What about those that are in a hurry and only have a few minutes - they coud be in and out in the time it takes to park way out and walk in - the stores could make more money catering to the fast paced people. What about all those kids playing around as tey walk with mom through the parking lot to their car - I've had to stop probably every time Im in a parking lot to allow kids to be corralled by mom to the cart. I've seen kids dart out in front of cars all the time. There are so many reasons speciality parking could apply to, and to single out pregnant women, I dont' think is fair. i was one of them too! And if they are so close to term/delivery, maybe they shouldn't be at the store in the first place, send husband or friend, but if just parking close while she spends hour or so walking and standing in the store is going to make her go into labor, she shouldn't be there in the first place.

That is so wrong. He deserves it and can't get it, but here a woman is just pregnant and she gets special treatment. This is what makes me mad. IT is so hard for someone that deserves it to get the help, but those that just did nothing, get it.

You are preaching to the choir cortjo! I mean, if pregnant makes you handicap, what about obese people? I am sure they'd like to not have to walk as far. And what about older folks, that walk slower - that parking lot is a long way when you are 90 and taking small steps. Thing is, where does it stop? There are all kinds of reasons and all kinds of people to fill those reasons of not walking far...good grief...a healthy person I'd bet if given the choise would rather park closer to the store! No body likes walking parking lots!

I thought the same thing about obese people. I just would feel insulted if I were considered handicapped because I was carrying another human being in my body. I have also heard people say on tv, "she is perfectly healthy other than the fact that she is pregnant". I get what they are saying but, it just annoys me that people seem to think that being pregnant is like an illness or a handicap. It isn't! Ugh! LOL! Oh, and don't get me wrong. I am not trying to say that being handicapped is something to be ashamed of. I just don't like the thought of people putting pregnant women into a separate group from those of us who have fully functioning legs or faculties. And, I agree. There are days that I really would like to be up close and personal to the front door at a store. For example, when it is raining really hard, it is overly windy, really cold or, I am just really tired and want to get in and out of the store as soon and as fast as possible! And, I have seen elderly who walk really slowly who, for whatever reason, don't qualify for handicapped parking. What about them? You are going to tell me that a pregnant woman has more of a right to a handicapped space than the 90 year old man who walks one step ever 3 seconds because his body can't move any faster for whatever reason? Wrong! But, I digress! LOL! Oh...and any doctor will tell a pregant woman that exercise is healthy for her and the baby. They are certainly not told to stay as still as possible and sit around as much as they can until the baby is born. No doctor will say that walking a little further across a parking lot is going to harm to her and the baby. Except for when bed rest is ordered because of some complication, women are encouraged to, within reason, go about their daily lives the same way they did before pregnancy. They even tell them to continue their exercise routines. So, why are they suddenly eligible for handicapped parking? LOL! I don't get it!

Thank you so much for the best response! It is really appreciated!

Women have been pregnant since the dawn of time, why now is it so hard to walk while pregnant! And yes, they do encourage walking while pregnant. Closer you are to your due date, the more you should stay closer to home, not Walmart!

But all those other moms didn't get handicap parking and quite frankly, a mom of 3 or more has it harder than one pregnant. She only has 2 hands...where do the extra kids hang on? How many times have you been driving a parkinglot and looking for a space and had kids dart out in front of you or the mom trying to get them all in the car all around moving cars and as they are all walking to their car they are holding hands (hopefully) and spread clear out into the isle holding up cars driving through looking for spots? Don't think there is a time I have been in a lot and have not had to stop specially for kids...seems that giving those moms up close parking would be better - keeps the kids out of the danger of being hit by cars...

Yeah, the store owners can do that on their property. I've seen it. That is probably where this law derived from. Thing is, other "healthy" people spend as much money at the store as a pregnant woman does...where are the benefits to them? Could make them feel like taking their business elsewhere - especially if they don't want to be around kids- and here they all are....

But how does parking closer so you only have to walk a few steps to get into the store benefit your "handicap" problem, when you will be walking for an hour or so while in the store shopping? That's the problem with this. I am all for helping those that need it, but at the same time, help those that need it.

Exactly. Where does it stop? I am all for helping people, but something like this is just taking advantage.

The words are so vague and taken advantage of. Disabled just means you can't do something.How much disabled should be the criteria. I have had two kids and was there with my first grand child, and in case others don't know - that is HARD work and if you are disabled to where you can't walk a few steps to Walmart, you'd better not get pregnant!

I understand what you say, but the thing is....if it is to much to walk from the parking lot to the store front door - what are you going to do once in the store? Most stores, you spend an hour - buy the time you do your shopping, stand in line, and pay. So if it is so hard to walk the distance, why isn't it hard to walk the store?

This is one of those cases where "you had to have been there". In my part of the country, at the time it didn't take "an hour" to do what you needed to do. If planned, I could be in and out in 20 minutes.

Good arguments. I am not pregnant and I am not planning to be. Maybe I just feel sorry for those who are pregnant. My friend has 4 kids and I know how hard it is for her to go around.....but...I also saw perfectly healthy and walking guy parking on handicap parking.....

If they have that hard a time walking from the car to the store, what are they going to do once IN the store!! If it is so hard, they should get a wheel chair or have someone else do the shopping or shop online and have it delievered. Other thing is, health problems notwithstanding, if a woman can't walk from the car to the store with the baby in her belly, Lord have mercy on that baby as what is that mother going to do once its born! Again, health problems notwithstanding, carrying and having hte baby are the easy parts! ITs' the 18 years that come after that that are the hard parts and where she'll need handicap parking help!

Actually, you are exactly right. I guess I was not looking at it as deeply as you but that makes 100% sense. truthfully, if she is at such a risk that she can't safely walk across the parking lot, she probably should not even be driving. I had a troubled pregnancy and i walked everywhere regardless. In the end when the baby was born a bit premature, the doctor commented that my good physical condition was on my side... made the delivery easier and also my baby was very healthy even tho a bit small. I take back my original response on this one. You've convinced me that I was wrong.

I love kids and they need healthy moms! And when I read that most doctors are against this law, I knew there was more to it! Probably just a politician trying to buy some votes!

Yes, doctors do recommend walking. Plus, if the woman can walk for the hours that she will be in the store - how is a few steps closer going to help much? If they are that critical condition, they should maybe think twice about how much activity they are doing. Have someone drive them and drop them right at the front door! That's be the best answer! I also heard while watching news, that most doctors are against this. They want the women to walk. It is good for them. If there are problems, not walking a few steps isn't going to help them

It didn't pass at least out here in Calif. And you bet! A mother of three is a whole lot more "handicapped" than a pregnant woman! All she has to carry is a few pounds at her belly.... a mom of three - there's one on the hip, one on each hand, a diaper bag, purse and a few stuffed "gotta have" stuffed animals and all that is all connected to her...Yeah, been there done that! Sure would have liked speciality parking during those times!

I hear you there I had three little ones to take with me where ever I went and it did get pretty rough somedays and I would have loved not to have to park a mile from the store.

I have to agree with coffeebreak on this one. I worked right up until I went into labor with my kids and I was up and about within minutes afterwards. when I was 7 months along with my last child my boss wanted to cut and change my hours and I argued with her. I needed the money to provide for my other kids....I was not disabled.

But they are not handicapped at all -everything still works as usual. look at what they will be going through on delivery day! And trust me... carrying inside you is a whole lot easier than having them hanging off your hip or one on your hip and another at your hand, while carrying purse, diaper bag and whatever else. Talk about needing help!

What's the difference? Same issue, different words.

Most certainly is not!