YES - Shevonne from Bookmarklet

Yes - Thomas Hawk

sure, why not? - Nathan Rein

Absolutely - Mark Layton

Does anyone here say "no"? - Rochelle

Of course...not having been one...but with 3 children, I get at least half a vote - Michael

Abso-smurfly not. - Roger Benningfield

I think they should handle this with the current "disability" access system (however they handle the parking permits, etc.) because most private business are total crap at implementing something like this on their own. I don't mind walking a little extra distance at the super market, but I'm not sure why the local one needs both 20 disabled spaces an an extra 10 expectant mother spots. I think those women should get to use the disabled slots as they are rarely all used, and they're closer. - Jennifer Dittrich

Let me rephrase. Of those who say "no", have you been pregnant? - Rochelle

I don't think so. - Roger Benningfield

Jennifer, I'm not sure about other states, but WA state does allow pregnant women to use disabled parking spots, as long as they get a temporary disability parking permit. - Rochelle

yes, especially on public transport or public parking - SteVe C

why should they not get special priviledges eh ? after all , if somethings happens to the women, the law generally tends to smack you for injury's of 2 people.. correct ? - Peter Dawson

No. The extra discomfort is good practice for what's to come. - Mark H

Mark, what do you mean? When I was pregnant, I had my pubic bone separate. It's not an uncommon complication. However, I'm not sure how a broken pubic bone prepared me for having a child. - Rochelle

I think they should get to drive in the carpool lane. :) - Jandy

Candace, this post is about allowing them to park close to a facility, not about "special treatment". Am I missing something? - Rochelle

I skimmed the article and it basically said people should be courteous (duh), and the expectant should not take advantage of it (duh)... so what's the issue? - Tinfoil 2.0

I don't mind the courtesy. The sign that gives priveledges to parents of young children, I do not. It's enough to endure them in the store, in the theater, in a resturant. No breaks for you! - Mike Lewis

As with anything, special privileges should be a case by case basis. Some women are so high risk that they'll miscarry if they sneeze wrong. - Jess

Rochelle, by forcing pregnant women to park far away it helps them both to get extra exercise and to build up more of a tolerance towards the pain and anguish of childbirth. I realise it's not a popular viewpoint so I won't be suggesting it should I ever run for political office. - Mark H

I'm not even as open-minded as Candace. "Pregnant" is no more a disability than "fat ass", a "disability" with which I am intimately familiar. - Roger Benningfield

Jess: In those cases, I'd have no problem giving someone a temp disability sticker or something. - Roger Benningfield

@Mark I can see where you are going, but like Rochelle said, pregnancy can cause major discomforts to a woman that really has nothing to do with exercise. - Shevonne

Mark, that's sweet and all, but uninformed. My experience with childbirth, for example, was pain-free. No anguish involved. And like Shevonne said, exercise has nothing to do with any of it. - Rochelle

Somewhat related: Older generations were smart to tell men to give up seats to women. Today you're expected to give up your seat only if she's pregnant or elderly. That puts you in the position of judging who's pregnant and who's elderly, and you insult her if you get it wrong. Men 50 years ago only had to judge who's female, and we're adequately good at that. - Bruce Lewis

the only special privilege would be to stop the tenure/promotion clock. you cannot be expected to publish or perish while expecting - enza (aka iVenus)

actaully on second thought, that is plain wrong.. .. how does an establishment figure out a painfull child bearing vs a normal child mother mother who has no ill effects ? "Pregnant" does NOT equal "disablity" !~! - Peter Dawson

@Helen There are also the "Parent with small children" parking spots. Do those bother you as well? Just wondering @Bruce I feel sorry for men nowadays. - Shevonne

My wife is pregnant, I'm going to go with no on this one if we're talking a bulk "You're pregnant, you can park here" type of rule. IF you're in your later stages of pregnancy, I'd be ok with the parking pass, but not for the full 9 months. - Brandon Mendelson

@Rochelle - that's one of the things I like about WA; I figure that puts it in the category of any other health-related issue: if it is really difficult, due to a medical condition, to do certain things, then we have an OK system in place to help handle that :) - Jennifer Dittrich

I'm ambivalent. I had to be on "modified bedrest" so on the rare occassion that I could go out and about I think a disabled permit would have been appropriate. I would rather see more family friendly parking spaces (like at IKEA) then spaces specifically designed for pregnant women though. - adf

Matthew: Why does it matter that she's a pregnant chick? What if she's just a 250lb chick? Or a 300lb dude? Or a dude with really bad allergies, who needs to get inside the store as quickly as possible? Or a chick whose "office dress" policy requires her to wear heels, even on a slippery, rain-soaked day? There are lots of people who have issues, and I'm not sure why we would single out one specific group for special attention. - Roger Benningfield

Matthew: Not everyone worships the womb. - Roger Benningfield

Yes - Janet-The Bottley Crue

Hey, I don't drive, and I don't think I've ever gone through a public door without holding it for a woman, an elderly person, a disabled person, or even a smaller guy. Courtesy is cool. It's the whole "I breed, therefore I am" ethos to which I object. You can be a dick to virtually anyone in this society, no matter what their situation, and most people will just shrug and go on. But if there's a kid involved, people lose their frakkin' minds. - Roger Benningfield

Y'mean the same social contract that also demands that the icky homos stick to the closet, and expects Muslims to just man up and accept that this is a Christian nation? There are plenty of flaws in that unsigned deal, and telling people to shut up and accept it never got us anywhere. - Roger Benningfield

See, there's yer problem... you haven't read the fine print! :) - Roger Benningfield

Roger think you're making yourself sound harsh, but above you commented that in cases where the woman is at a health risk, you would make certain allowances. So it's up to the doctors to decide who those women are. Which makes it easier for men to chose old fashioned chivalry to all pregnant women and/or kindness to a person (pregnant or not) in need. - Jess

I am oh-so-amused at how this went from "be nice to pregnant ladies" to "icky homos stick to the closet". - Rochelle

ABSOLUTELY - Tamar Weinberg

Rochelle: No, it went from "should pregnant women get special privileges" to "that's the social contract, shut up". - Roger Benningfield

Matthew: I didn't add 'em... they've been there all along. - Roger Benningfield

Yes. I think so. In Australia we have 'Parents With Prams' spaces close to the door, often next to the disabled spots. While they are not enforceable by fines like that of disabled spots, they are governed by the public law of "Really mate? You're in a sports car and you couldn't park 8 spots down. You're a fuckwit". This is not so much a 'privilege' so much as a safety issue. Having small kids run around a car park is not good. Pregnant women should be able to use these types of spaces. If Rachael was pregnant, I'm not making her walk (waddle) all that way to the front door... I'll just stop and let her out at the front and hold everyone else up... your choice - Johnny

Jess: I probably am coming off more harshly than intended. Because I'm cool with helping anyone in need. Pregnant, broken leg, heat sensitivity, trying to carry too many packages... you name it. But here's the ugly reality... I can't count the number of times I've seen people bitching about the obese lady who's in the disabled parking spot, or giving the whole "He doesn't look disabled to me. What a scam!' attitude. Meanwhile, those same people, the vast majority of the time, would jump through hoops for a pregnant lady in that same spot. And that crap drives me crazy. Oh, and also when people calling for common sense courtesy act like dismissive pricks in the process? Not too fond of that, either. :) - Roger Benningfield

I want to know why woman complain about popping out one kid, when men have to pump out a million sperm a shot.... I mean come on??? Give me a parking spot!!! :) - Lokei Atikus™®

Wait, they let women drive these days!? What is this world coming to! - Nathan Rein

Absolutely YES! I have also seen spots designated for moms with babies only. - Elena

When I was 28 weeks pregnant, I flew from EWR to FLL on Continental Airlines. I was uncomfortable and wanted to get on the plane early to avoid being bonked by some suitcase. The agent at the gate yelled at me and said I couldn't board early because "pregnancy is not a disability." One of the mothers nearby muttered, "um, yeah it is." I, too, was appalled. I filed a complaint against the agent and corporate told me they put the agent back in training. - Tamar Weinberg

"However, I'm not sure how a broken pubic bone prepared me for having a child." Exactly, Rochelle. I'm in super pain where I walk right now and I'm not sure how this is going to prepare me for motherhood. I'm certain with all the discomfort I'm going through (33 weeks now) that life will be *easier* when the kid is born. I even expect to actually sleep. Yes, I'll *definitely* get more sleep with a kid to breastfeed given the circumstances at the present. I don't think that some people get it. - Tamar Weinberg

I wasn't going to say anything else and just let it go rather than explain to Shevonne and Rochelle but, since Tamar brought up the broken pubic bone again I suppose I should just clarify: I was not being serious when I was suggesting women should walk to get them in shape for childbirth. When it comes to some people not getting it ... well, there, I've said it. Sarcasm, I know, doesn't always come across in written form. I'm very, very sorry. That wasn't sarcasm, by the way. - Mark H

Usually I don't bitch about things, but I have to say this. People, we are on the Internet and many of us don't know one another. How can someone possibly know if someone is serious or not? Can we see your body language or tone of voice? No, so you shouldn't get pissy because we didn't pick up on your sarcasm. - Shevonne

I wasn't being pissy. I was trying to stop others from assuming I'd been serious. But thank you for telling me not to be pissy without being pissy. - Mark H

All women deserve special privelages. - Rob Michael (Atmos Trio) from fftogo

Most definitely. - JCunwired

I think so yes, it just makes things a little bit easier for those who might be uncomfortable at the late stages and such. I remember my friend being really emotional at about 6/7 months gone and just needing to get things done without hassle. Sometimes it was easier for everyone else too ;) - Charley M

Just in case anyone misunderstood me, I'm with Mark. I KNOW women are allowed to drive and I don't have a problem with it. That was also sarcasm. Though no one seems to have been either amused or offended. Nevermind. - Nathan Rein

Sorry Mark -- I made a general statement not really directed at any particular individual. In fact, I moused over your name and figured you were being sarcastic after reading your bio, but on the other hand, it doesn't seem that Roger was. I'm fairly certain that if I was a non-pregnant "fat-ass," I still wouldn't be as uncomfortable as I am right now. - Tamar Weinberg