by Suzanne Feinberg

Created on: June 25, 2009

As a woman in my final weeks of pregnancy in the stifling Texas summer heat, I support designated parking spaces for pregnant women. However, I do feel that drivers pregnant women included should use their discretion when parking in these designated spots, just as all drivers should adhere to the law when it comes to handicapped parking.

Over the course of my pregnancy, I have made many trips to the local baby superstore, which has around four to six parking spaces for expectant mothers. In the early to middle days of my pregnancy, when my energy and mobility levels were close to normal, I did not park in those spots out of respect for those who may have been in their last trimester, or those possibly dealing with complications that made walking difficult.

As the mercury began to rise and my belly began to expand, I began to seek out these spots. If there was none available and I was forced to walk a greater distance, only to see someone who was clearly more mobile than me or worse, someone who was not noticeably pregnant getting into her car parked in one of the designated spots, I would simply shake my head in disgust, knowing there was nothing I could do about it.

If a retailer chooses to designate parking spots for expectant mothers, I think it shows a certain level of respect, gratitude, understanding and common courtesy for those women who are experiencing an important, life-changing event. That does not mean I think any less of retailers who do not offer them, but now that I have experienced what it is like to be pregnant, I do tend to have a more favorable opinion of the stores that do.

I have spoken to other pregnant women about the issue, and the consensus is the same: the parking spots are definitely appreciated but not necessarily expected. Like a random act of kindness performed by a total stranger, seeing these spots make pregnant women feel good. And everybody knows a pregnant woman who feels good is a happy woman!

I think the issue boils down to respect for others. If you feel you really need the preferential treatment of up-close parking, by all means, take advantage of the opportunity. If you think someone else could probably benefit more than you, be considerate and park in another spot.

For retailers, just think about the public relations opportunity you can create by offering these special parking spaces. Pregnant women are an influential group of consumers with an impressive amount of buying power, so it pays to give this group a little added attention.

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