Using medical parking when pregnant

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Same with DW. Her Doctor actually encouraged her to walk as much as she could.

But back to the original subject, if there was an complication, at least in California, your Doctor would just write a prescription for you to get a temporary Handicapped placard to use those spots.

In my city, at least, getting that placard would mean taking off to take the forms to the Dr. (assuming you didn't have them when you got diagnosed), and then taking off to go to DMV to get the placard. I can see why HR would prefer to just hand out a parking pass for temporary conditions, rather than having people take even more time off work. Plus most people with medical conditions, pregnancy related or otherwise, tend to be protective of their leave.

 

[MM27]

A pregnancy is not a disability. But that's coming from someone that parks in those spots "reserved" for pregnant women and mothers with small children. Don't see the point of them.

 

[Southernmiss]

Had 4 pregnancies. Would never have ocurred to me in the first 7 or 8 months to need a handicapped parking space. I was fortunate that my pregnancies (aside from an early scare with 1st child) were uneventful.

I do have to say that the last 2 weeks of carrying DS #1 were miserable. He was evicted and overdue by the full 2 weeks. I often had to take a break walking from one side of the office to the other because I was just so big and pregnant. The Sunday before he was born I tried to get dressed for church and then burst into tears because I hurt so badly and just getting dressed wore me out. I was induced into labor on that Wednesday. I worked with each pregnancy until the day I delivered.

I would think the lady in the OP was being overdramatic. Especially if her parking place is only 10 spaces away from the handicapped one.

 

[saucymb]

Oh, yes, most folks with desk jobs would still be working -- at least I sure was. My company's pregnancy leave is day-limited; if you leave before delivery you have to dock those days off your maternity leave.

With SPD, being seated upright in a chair is the least painful position possible. Standing is excruciating, but lying down is nearly as bad, because you cannot move your legs or hips without pain, but you always want to in order to shift the weight of the baby. SPD isn't dangerous in terms of one's systemic health at all; it is just pure pain, coupled with the risk that one of your legs will fold under you if you can't manage to hold your hip joints stiffly enough whilst walking.

With my youngest, my OB finally told me that I couldn't go to work any more at my weekly visit of week 39; that was on Wednesday. I delivered on Saturday, and yep, I had to go back to work at 6 weeks minus 3 days because of it. DH actually got laid off during the final week of my leave, which is what saved us; our daycare would not take an infant younger than 6 weeks.

I was essentially fine as long as I was sitting at my desk with my legs propped up, but I tried hard to stay in that chair and not stand unless it was absolutely necessary. In each of my pregnancies I was using a cane by 15 weeks.

Personally, I wouldn't have needed company-issued "medical parking" either -- because my OB always signed the paperwork for me to obtain a DMV temporary disability placard until the end of my due month. However, there are a lot of OB's (mostly males, of course) who dismiss SPD as imaginary or just not that painful; if I had had a physician like that and medical parking was available, you bet I would have applied for it.

I had SPD with all 3 of my pregnancies, each worse than the last. My OB practice insisted it was normal, until the last month of the last pregnancy when I went in to have a version (baby was breached and they were going to try to turn him). Finally this new specialist acknowledged this painful condition and set me up with a physical therapist. With all 3 babies, the pain in its entirety was gone within hours of delivery.

Had I been working, I definitely could have used the special parking. Sitting at a desk was easy...walking, especially up any stairs or uneven ground, would have been very difficult.

For a normal, healthy pregnancy, most women wouldn't need the special spaces. Though if it a season of extreme weather, it would be a nice gesture.

 

[mommasita]

a pregnant woman may not be comfortable discussing why she took the space. Perhaps she has had several miscarriages or difficulty conceiving. I had placenta previa. I was not allowed to work. But some women with this condition might be allowed to work if they are not doing much walking. It's one of those situations where it wouldn't be possible to judge unless you are privy to everything.

I think as long as the department THAT HANDLES approvals said it is ok, it is no one else's business. Sounds like a bunch of office hens. There may be something medical that she does not want to discuss with anyone else. Something personal or embarrassing. If she got approved for the spot, it is between her and whomever did the approving.

I also had PP, and then preeclampsia. I never worked in such type of environment where passes where available, but if I had continued to work, I probably would have had to use it. There are MANY reasons one might need to, and agreeing with post these 2 posters. Maybe there is a reason, and not everyone needs to know about it.

There are many silent and unseen disabilities as well. Seeing someone using a shopping cart that "looks" like they could walk it is deceiving at times.

I have a handicapped sign, and if you looked at me you would never think I need it. Spend a day being me, and then you would know I do.

 

[smitch425]

I think as long as the department THAT HANDLES approvals said it is ok, it is no one else's business. Sounds like a bunch of office hens. There may be something medical that she does not want to discuss with anyone else. Something personal or embarrassing. If she got approved for the spot, it is between her and whomever did the approving.

100% agree with every word of this.

 

[superme80]

I would get it, but not use it all the time.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm not so sure I would call her a Pregzilla, but she has no problem with milking the attention of being pregnant. She also seems to have this vision of what having a baby is like. She was telling us that she got 2 rockers for the nursery so her husband can keep her company at night when she is feeding the baby. That was a week ago that she told us and I think another one of my co-workers is still laughing about the fact that she thinks her husband is going to get up with her at 2am and keep her company while she feeds the baby.

I can't blame her for that. Many, many people who have never been parents have a less-than-realistic view of pregnancy and parenting.

And who knows? Maybe her husband WILL get up.Maybe he's up all night watching TV anyway, or gets up at 2 am for shift work. And if he doesn't, she can move one of the rockers to the living room. I can't see that your lauging coworker really needs to milk a week's laughter out of this.

And the coworker who strolls in at 9 and begrudges the pregnant one her parking space? Based on what you've said, the "pregzilla" has always gotten to work early-- she used to park 10 spaces away in a lot of 2000 spots? It seems to me as though the one who gets there late is hoping that there will be a prime spot waiting for her at 9??? I think the entitlement issue would bother me a whole lot more here.

I think maybe your coworkers could be a lot kinder. 'It's really none of their business. It sounds like the people in your office need to get back to work. As long as this woman is abiding by the rules, it's no one else's place to criticize. And if there is a problem, it should be reported to the office authority, not gossiped about behind her back. Oh, but wait... the office authority gave her a pass, right? So exactly what is she doing wrong?

The people in this office sound a lot like some of the 16 year old girls I teach. And a lot less kind and mature than the majority of them.

I don't envy you your work enviornment. Give me my teenagers any day!!

 

[java]

Well not if wasn't having complications. Out of my four pregnancies, one was high risk. I was in preterm labor very early. Then I would have gotten the pass. But other than that nope.

 

[castleview]

I was never one to fight for a close parking spot unless the weather was awful. Even then I really don't fight. So pregnancy didn't stop me from parking in a normal spot. I didn't see the harm in a good walk. I never used infant parking either. Plus in my experience, those spots were always taken by someone with a seven year old.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And the coworker who strolls in at 9 and begrudges the pregnant one her parking space? Based on what you've said, the "pregzilla" has always gotten to work early-- she used to park 10 spaces away in a lot of 2000 spots? It seems to me as though the one who gets there late is hoping that there will be a prime spot waiting for her at 9??? I think the entitlement issue would bother me a whole lot more here.

Disagree. I work with about 200 people, all doing the same job, on somewhat staggered schedules.
Nobody "strolls in" at 9 AM expecting the same conditions as somebody who's scheduled to start an hour and a half earlier.

 

[kwelch10377]

I can't blame her for that. Many, many people who have never been parents have a less-than-realistic view of pregnancy and parenting.

And who knows? Maybe her husband WILL get up.Maybe he's up all night watching TV anyway, or gets up at 2 am for shift work. And if he doesn't, she can move one of the rockers to the living room. I can't see that your lauging coworker really needs to milk a week's laughter out of this.

And the coworker who strolls in at 9 and begrudges the pregnant one her parking space? Based on what you've said, the "pregzilla" has always gotten to work early-- she used to park 10 spaces away in a lot of 2000 spots? It seems to me as though the one who gets there late is hoping that there will be a prime spot waiting for her at 9??? I think the entitlement issue would bother me a whole lot more here.

I think maybe your coworkers could be a lot kinder. 'It's really none of their business. It sounds like the people in your office need to get back to work. As long as this woman is abiding by the rules, it's no one else's place to criticize. And if there is a problem, it should be reported to the office authority, not gossiped about behind her back. Oh, but wait... the office authority gave her a pass, right? So exactly what is she doing wrong?

The people in this office sound a lot like some of the 16 year old girls I teach. And a lot less kind and mature than the majority of them.

I don't envy you your work enviornment. Give me my teenagers any day!!

They only people who were verbally involved in this conversation are the 2 women who are pregnant so no one is talking behind her back. And the other pregnant co-worker is on her 3 kid and just as with the other 2, has no desire to use the pass. The pregnant co-worker shared the story about the 2 rockers and my other co-worker kindly said while laughing "oh there are so many things you are going to learn about your husband when the baby is born". The pregnant co-worker thought it was funny too.

We actually are a very fun office and and work our butts off to help 1500 retail stores operate. There is nothing wrong with having a non-work related debate now and then and we are mature enough to go back as normal once the debate is done.

 

[kwelch10377]

Disagree. I work with about 200 people, all doing the same job, on somewhat staggered schedules.
Nobody "strolls in" at 9 AM expecting the same conditions as somebody who's scheduled to start an hour and a half earlier.

This is the case here. To avoid traffic the one girl works from 7-4 and the other girl has to wait for her nanny to get to her house in the morning and she works at least 9-6.

 

[Heidict]

There actually has been a few times where she has taken it away from someone who needed really needed. Another one of my co-workers had knee surgery and had the medical pass, but on several occasions there hasn't been a medical spot to park in. There are only 10 spots for a building of 2000 people and all the spots are always filled.

She sounds like a very selfish and entitled person. It's to bad that she would take a spot away from someone who, after having knee surgery, would obviously need it, just because "she can do it". Doesn't sound like she is concerned about her coworkers at all.

During my first pregnancy, I would not have bothered. The second pregnancy was totally different. Towards the middle/end of my second trimester I had a hard time breathing. I could not take in a full breath and walking the 2 blocks to the parking garage was a tiring experience. By the time I got there, I was short of breath and my legs were burning. I would have gladly taken a spot like this.

 

[Pooh Crew]

Could pregnant co-worker possibly be expecting multiples? If so, maybe her dr has instructed her to take it easy. Another thought, maybe she is has had "issues" with her cervix and has been told to limit her walking...and doesn't want to discuss that part of her pregnancy with co-workers.

Regardless, reality will set in soon enough.

With my triplet pregnancy, I was on half days by 16 weeks and full leave by 18. I did use those reserved spots at the grocery store because I was under orders to "take it easy" from my dr with the threat of bed rest hanging over my head. I could have gotten a handicapped pass, but didn't see the point since I couldn't do much past 18 weeks...walking, heck, even breathing, was just hard at that point! With my fourth child, I could have cartwheeled into the store from the next parking lot! Lol. Every pregnancy is different.

Having been a mother of four children seventeen months apart, I'll also say that a spot close in was a lifesaver when trying to get everyone out of the car and into the store...especially when they were walking!

Sometimes others might just need a little more help. I'd never begrudge someone for using a parking spot.

Edited to add: of course, I've also been known to give up a good spot for old people or people who look like they need it (mom in her pj's running into pharmacy side if walmart!). That's just how I roll.

 

[sunshinehighway]

She sounds like one of the pregnant princess types. I'd start avoiding her now. She is only going to get worse.

 

[smitch425]

They only people who were verbally involved in this conversation are the 2 women who are pregnant so no one is talking behind her back.

No one is talking behind her back??? What exactly do you think you are doing here then? Unless you have informed her of this thread, then you are 100% talking about her behind her back. Along with all of the other judgemental people in this thread. A thread in which people who have never met this person have labeled her "pregzila", "entitled", "princess", "lazy", etc.

One day several years ago, an old man chased me and my DH into Target. He was yelling at him for parking in a handicapped spot. He was yelling things like "you're too young to park there", "there is nothing wrong with you". He caused a big scene and it was really embarrassing for DH. He wanted to ignore the guy, but I was steaming mad, so I turned around and politely said, "Excuse me, sir. My husband has polycythemia vera, Factor V leiden and a large blood clot in his leg. I would appreciate it if you would stop screaming at him since you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Have a nice day."

It is no one's place to judge OP's coworker.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'd use it if I needed it, wouldn't if I didn't. I was quite fortunate not to have any issues in either pregnancy where I would have needed it. I did however require either a chill pill or a handler very late in my first pregnancy.

Days before delivering I was at the mall buying a wedding shower present. It was quite a hot and humid day and was zapping my energy level. When I came out of the store to get into my car and leave, I couldn't find my car. I always remember where I park, it's one of my things. I was getting more and more upset, thinking oh, no, my brand new car was stolen. Duh, brand new car, don't look for the old one. Don't know how many times I walked right past it, not even recognizing it belonged to me.

Blubbered my hot, sweaty, exhausted, hormonal self all the way home. I was fortunate I didn't need a designated parking spot, merely a brain.

 

[tvguy]

In my city, at least, getting that placard would mean taking off to take the forms to the Dr. (assuming you didn't have them when you got diagnosed), and then taking off to go to DMV to get the placard. I can see why HR would prefer to just hand out a parking pass for temporary conditions, rather than having people take even more time off work. Plus most people with medical conditions, pregnancy related or otherwise, tend to be protective of their leave.

Same here. But if you need the placard, you're probably going to be missing a ton of work anyway.

 

[bettymae1121]

My company has medical parking spots available in our lot. These are different than handicap spaces and are for temporary medical issues. You just fill out a form and get the pass from our security office. Technically the form says medical issues lasting less than 30 days, but it was found out that they will give you one if you are pregnant. If you were pregnant (a normal pregnancy with no issues or restrictions) would you get a pass?

(mind you this isn't about me, it is a discussion/debate between 2 pregnant co-workers)

My company offers this and yes, had I worked at the office rather than FT from home when I was pregnant last year, I would have applied for a parking pass...probably around month 7 or so. That's what my company put asside the parking spots for, they WANT us to use them if we need them, and pregnancy is something my company considers a need. They have more spots than people who need them so in my case it wasn't taking away a spot from someone who needed it more.