Parking privileges for pregnant women

[PamNY]

Apparently the proposed bill in NYC would require a doctor's note stating that the woman is experiencing physical or mobility challenges.

I'll bet ob-gyns have mixed feelings about this, considering all the requests they would likely get.

[OakLeaf]

I wonder. There was just that report the other day that said there is no known medical benefit to bed rest during pregnancy, yet it's prescribed to thousands of women...

[zoom-zoom]

I wonder. There was just that report the other day that said there is no known medical benefit to bed rest during pregnancy, yet it's prescribed to thousands of women...

And look at the rate of c-sections today vs. even 20-30 years ago. Over a third of babies can't possibly require surgical birth. I know mine didn't. With a different doc I sure as heck wouldn't have an 8" scar on my lower abdomen.

[PamNY]

I wonder if part of the impetus for this bill would be difficulty in carrying things more than walking.

Remember, this is not a situation where most stores have parking lots or where most people live in houses with a driveway. If I had a car, I would garage it at least a half mile away from home, and that's not at all unusual.

There is literally no legal place to park (during the business day) where I live. When I go camping, for example, I have to either park in an illegal spot or double-park to drop off my gear.

I happen to live in an elevator building with a doorman, but lots of people don't. I've never been pregnant, but I assume that carrying heavy things might be a problem during the later stages of a complicated pregnancy. Add to that the necessity of climbing 3-4 flights of stairs in your building (which is not unusual) -- I can see where some people would ask for relief.

I don't think this bill is a good idea, but I am in awe of people who raise children in a walkup apartment (and plenty of people do).

[Crankin]

I tend to agree with Marni and Jolt, but I do know there are real reasons that women may have restrictions to activity, carrying things, such as pre-eclampsia.
As far as the bed rest, well, I went into premature labor at 30 weeks, 5 days after a bike accident, where the down tube shifter jammed into my stomach . I probably shouldn't have been riding, but after I was stabilized, I was told to stay home from work, but I did not have to stay in bed. There was some bleeding involved, so they had concerns about abruption of the placenta. Still, no one told me to lie down all day. My mom did have to come and stay with us for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks, I couldn't keep up with my 2 and half year old, pick him up, or drive. During the last 2 weeks, I got sick of it, drove myself to the doctor each week, took the kid to play group, and just dealt with it.
I had 2 totally natural vaginal deliveries after having an emergency C section at 8 months, with my first child, who was born with many physical issues and only lived for a day. Other than having an ultra sound at a certain point in each pregnancy to check for problems, my doctor never considered that I would have to have another C-section. Maybe because this was back in the 80's and we weren't so lawsuit happy?

[shootingstar]

I was told to stay home from work, but I did not have to stay in bed. There was some bleeding involved, so they had concerns about abruption of the placenta. Still, no one told me to lie down all day. My mom did have to come and stay with us for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks, I couldn't keep up with my 2 and half year old, pick him up, or drive. During the last 2 weeks, I got sick of it, drove myself to the doctor each week, took the kid to play group, and just dealt with it.
I had 2 totally natural vaginal deliveries after having an emergency C section at 8 months, with my first child, who was born with many physical issues and only lived for a day. Other than having an ultra sound at a certain point in each pregnancy to check for problems, my doctor never considered that I would have to have another C-section. Maybe because this was back in the 80's and we weren't so lawsuit happy?

I believe my 3 sisters each had to advocate strongly not to have a C-section.
From 3 sisters, there are 7 nieces and nephews. All 3 of them had/still work in the health care sector. Doctor-sister was walking around in the wards checking patients...up to her 8th month.

I know for certain 2 of them went jogging for first 4-5 months regularily, several times per week. It was always the last trimester that they were more slower/back ache, feet aching, etc. Got tired of just sitting around, waiting..

[OakLeaf]

Via Ben Sollee, a really cool cellist and cyclist:

http://www.good.is/post/85/

[PamNY]

Oak, thank you for posting that. I am emailing that piece to everyone I know. Our community worked really, really hard to get the school he mentions.

I adore Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck and Sparrow. I am thrilled that the cellist from Sparrow understands my neighborhood (the more so since many people think they are experts on "Ground Zero").

Love it that he compares navigating the city with kids to a triathlon. Give me a choice, I think I'd pick the tri.

[Jolt]

Apparently the proposed bill in NYC would require a doctor's note stating that the woman is experiencing physical or mobility challenges.

I'll bet ob-gyns have mixed feelings about this, considering all the requests they would likely get.

I'm glad it's at least requiring a doctor's note, to try and keep it to the cases where there's a true medical issue. However, I think you're right that ob/gyns are going to get a lot of requests--some people are probably going to abuse it. I just don't get the eagerness of some people to push for this kind of special treatment during what is, in general, a normal healthy process. It isn't exactly empowering to women, is it?

[Cataboo]

That is the most insightful comment in this thread.

Somehow I don't see people getting purposefully pregnant just to have better parking when it involves raising a child for 18 years, carrying a bowling ball in your tummy for several months, and dilating 10 cms. I suppose some of you on here would say, oh, but you don't have to dilate, you can just get a c section. HOwever, I don't see cutting through your abdomen as easier.

[Cataboo]

I'm glad it's at least requiring a doctor's note, to try and keep it to the cases where there's a true medical issue. However, I think you're right that ob/gyns are going to get a lot of requests--some people are probably going to abuse it. I just don't get the eagerness of some people to push for this kind of special treatment during what is, in general, a normal healthy process. It isn't exactly empowering to women, is it?

So... Am I being un-empowering to women if I give up my seat on the metro or a train to a pregnant woman? Or to old people? 'cause seriously, old people and pregnant woman could use the opportunity to stand up and train their balance skills and get their exercise and they really should just stop being lazy bums and avoiding it by taking my seat if I offer.

And when I see a handicapped person struggling with opening a door and walking through, I should just ignore them and leave them be, because even though they're handicapped, they can function just as well as the rest of society and they really should just practice doing it.

But as far as I'm concerned, it's common courtesy for me to offer my seat or to help someone struggling with a door or something - if they say that they're fine and they don't need help, I don't press.

Yeah, like all things in life, there will be people who abuse handicapped and pregnancy parking. That doesn't mean there isn't a good reason for it and we should take the option away from everyone. Because really, how much does this actually inconvenience all of you? How many people in NYC actually have cars? And when is it a benefit of having to drive through the city? ('cause frankly, anytime I've driven through NYC, I've been severely irked with everyone else there and stuck in traffic forever). From visiting NYC, I know I would really hate to be pregnant or disabled and navigating the metro system. Same with DC. It's hard to find the elevator access to the metro system.

I know at least in the DC area that there is very little designated handicapped street parking - basically you're allowed to park at a meter longer free if you have a handicapped pass...

[PamNY]

I'm glad it's at least requiring a doctor's note, to try and keep it to the cases where there's a true medical issue. However, I think you're right that ob/gyns are going to get a lot of requests--some people are probably going to abuse it. I just don't get the eagerness of some people to push for this kind of special treatment during what is, in general, a normal healthy process. It isn't exactly empowering to women, is it?

NOW has expressed reservations about such a bill, and I can see their point.

On the other hand, nobody worries about empowerment of other people who have parking placards -- clergy, doctors, all manner of law enforcement, and a police benevolent organization (their surgeon parks in my nabe at times -- doing what, I don't know).

Ditto the ever-popular blood delivery people, whoever they may be. I've thought about documenting (with my camera) the extraordinary need for blood in our neighborhood and sending the results to a local paper. But I resist being the old lady who runs around doing things like that.

[Chile Pepper]

So... Am I being un-empowering to women if I give up my seat on the metro or a train to a pregnant woman? Or to old people?
…
But as far as I'm concerned, it's common courtesy for me to offer my seat or to help someone struggling with a door or something - if they say that they're fine and they don't need help, I don't press.

Special parking for "futura mamás" is pretty standard here in Chile. I loved it when I was pregnant! Why not? We also have check out lines that give priority to pregnant women, old folks, and pretty much anyone who is even mildly handicapped in anyway. So, if you are standing in one of these lines (there are others that are not priority lines), then you have to let the pregnant woman go ahead of you if she happens to show up while you are waiting. It's really nothing more than institutionalized common courtesy.

[Jolt]

So... Am I being un-empowering to women if I give up my seat on the metro or a train to a pregnant woman? Or to old people? 'cause seriously, old people and pregnant woman could use the opportunity to stand up and train their balance skills and get their exercise and they really should just stop being lazy bums and avoiding it by taking my seat if I offer.

And when I see a handicapped person struggling with opening a door and walking through, I should just ignore them and leave them be, because even though they're handicapped, they can function just as well as the rest of society and they really should just practice doing it.

But as far as I'm concerned, it's common courtesy for me to offer my seat or to help someone struggling with a door or something - if they say that they're fine and they don't need help, I don't press.

Yeah, like all things in life, there will be people who abuse handicapped and pregnancy parking. That doesn't mean there isn't a good reason for it and we should take the option away from everyone. Because really, how much does this actually inconvenience all of you? How many people in NYC actually have cars? And when is it a benefit of having to drive through the city? ('cause frankly, anytime I've driven through NYC, I've been severely irked with everyone else there and stuck in traffic forever). From visiting NYC, I know I would really hate to be pregnant or disabled and navigating the metro system. Same with DC. It's hard to find the elevator access to the metro system.

I know at least in the DC area that there is very little designated handicapped street parking - basically you're allowed to park at a meter longer free if you have a handicapped pass...

Put that way, I can see how my comment didn't come across quite right; sorry about that. I guess I am just envisioning the people who will want to use being 3 months pregnant as an excuse to not walk a little bit from their car to wherever they're going, because they just don't want to even though they can. Those are the ones I see as being un-empowering. Not the ones who truly are having difficulty.