Handicap Sticker While Pregnant?

I'm with you here. You are not a wuss.

I have a neighbor down the street with a handicapped sticker who chops his own wood and built his own deck. I swear he's going to hex himself into becoming handicapped.

My Father in Law, 72, also has one. This is a "coup" for him. Oh, and the man runs at least 3-5 miles at least 5 times a week and recently won an award for his skills with a shotgun.

Let's not penalize a woman who is having to take pain meds upon waking just to function. Sheesh. Doctors don't hand that out because everything is fine. I am far more frustrated with completely able-bodied people who feel they 'deserve' it, not someone who's on having a rough time coping with the changes pregnancy brings.

Jo G. I'm sorry you have such a bad Dr. perhaps you should look into seeing another one.

Mj my Dr. was very accommodating with everything I asked. You will probably have to prep paperwork for her though.

and I wouldn't feel like a wuss. I ended up on bedrest for my last three months. Every pregnancy is different and so is every woman.

I think people are being really unfair to you. If you need one ask your doctor s/he will be the person who knows what is and is not appropriate. To me it seems like if you can't walk that's what the system was designed for and you shouldn't feel bad about that. I think people need to get off their high horses!

Aww Mj, you are not a wuss. Contrary to how some women act, pregnancy is not a competition. I def think it would be nice if you could get one of those stickers in time. I also had major mobility issues when pregnant and wished I could have parked closer to the store.
Jo, YOU and anyone that agrees with you have got to be the ones that are "freaking kidding". Just because you couldn't get a placard after your pinky finger surgery now YOU, O Bitter One, get to decide whether others are worthy? The nerve!
Lesley, true, that getting pregnant is a CHOICE (for some), but so what! We chose to get pregnant, we did NOT CHOOSE to have pain inducing pregnancies!
Just so you all know: NOT EVERYONE HAS PEOPLE THAT CAN/WILL GO OUT AND DO THEIR ERRANDS FOR THEM. It would have been awesome to have had a closer parking space, but I did not think to try to get one of those placards. I wish I had thought of it though and I would have loved to have seen your ignorant, judgmental, sour faces all jacked up about it. Or at least I would have loved to brag about it on Mamapedia just to get the stick up your butts to move up even further.
She's not asking for your precious tax money, just the ability to legally park closer to the store for the time being.

Wow, sorry you're getting so many judgmental comments! Handicapped parking permits are for people with limited mobility- for whatever reason. They make temporary tags for people with temporary problems. Whether it's pregnancy related or not, if you're having trouble walking you should be able to at least apply for one without getting mocked. I remember when I was pregnant with my twins I couldn't walk more than about 15 feet toward the end. Even if there was a space reserved for pregnant women or people with babies, it was usually full, and usually with someone who didn't think we deserved to have a "special" space. Everyone's a critic. Go ahead and ask your doctor about it. Good luck!

Oh I wish I had thought of that!! I think you should certainly try. I used to have a very difficult time walking when I was in my 3rd trimesters.

Congratulations, and I hope the last few weeks go by quickly for you!! =o)

To the critics: That's what TEMPORARY stickers are for, because sometimes people NEED them on a TEMPORARY basis. I don't see why someone should be made to feel guilty for that. Sheesh.

Cupcake Sweet S- OMG, you cracked me up :D

Yes, I did. My doctor gave me one for the last 3 weeks and the next 6 weeks after the c-section. Go and ASK!! you probably have to bring them the form to sign though since they don't normally give them out. I live in Oregon, but I just printed it out online. Good luck with everything, I've been there!!

I LOVE Bug's answer, You are pregnant, NOT handicapped.

I honestly was going to be one of the first to answer, but thought I better not.

I don't know how old you are, but I was 32 when I was pregnant with #2. I had an almost 4 year old boy getting him in and out of the car seat. I was working 12 hours shifts as a floor nurse. And had carpel tunnel problems as wells as sciatica problems. I had horrible pelvic pain and they kept watching me for pre-eclampsia and I wouldn't have thought of going into the system! Hell, I fell and broke my elbow when my baby was just 3 months old and the doctor wouldn't cast it because where the break was located. But cautioned me that if I injured it again I would require surgery. I had a 3 month old AND a 4 year old and that never occurred to me.

Updated: Mj, do I think you need/deserve a handicapped sticker because you are pregnant with a 3 year old, no! But for me, as an RN, the fibromyalgia would make me think twice. I know and realize that is as debilitating as a disease you can get. And now agree with some of the other posts that all you can do is ask your doctor and leave it up to them.
And as an RN who used to work for some lung specialists I also realize that not every 'handicap' can be seen as soon as people get out of the car.
As I said, I still stand by my original thought. Many woman have issues while pregnant and even with more little ones in tow. But, I will cut you a little slack with the fibro diagnosis. I wish you comfort in your last few weeks.

I work with handicapped people so when I'm at wal-mart and see the 500 pound man with a handicapped sign hanging from his rear view mirror and then he gets on one of those go-carts, that barely moves because he weighs too much, then I get mad. But I've been pregnant twice and yeah it sucked especially my second pregnancy when I was hauling around a 40lb toddler, but I never thought a handicapped sticker was necessary.

I'm with Jo. G. I couldn't walk for more than 10 minutes since week 7 of my pregnancy because of a siatic nerve (I had to quite my job even plus 24/7 40 week sickness), but I didn't think I ever needed one. You are pregnant not handicapped like what Bug said. People with real handicaps needs those spots. Sure a lot of people have them that don't really need them. Don't be one of those people. If it was a REAL medical handicap and life threatening like high blood pressure, then sure. Get one.

I'm kinda torn on this one.

On one hand pregnancy CAN be very hard on a woman. There's back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica, shortness of breath, etc. It's dangerous to waddle across an ice-covered parking lot in the winters when you can't even *see* your feet. It's dangerous to exert a lot of energy in the blistering heat of summer, especially if your blood pressure goes up during pregnancy.

On the other hand, being pregnant is a CHOICE. People who are (really) handicapped did not CHOOSE to be so. Many stores now have "stork" parking for pregnant women or parents with small children in tow.

I guess it depends on where you think the line should be. Pregnant women? Morbidly obese people? Someone with a broken leg or arm?

I just wanted to suggest something. I have had problems when I was pregnant too. I tried 3 different chiropractors and only ONE was able to help me. So you might want to try another one. I was in so much pain that when I went to the ER (the first time it happened) they shot me up with morphine! I would NEVER have let them had they told me what they were doing....but that's another story.

Call around and see if you can find a chiropractor who SPECIALIZES in women and children! They take special training in those areas and are better able to help you. (From my experience anyway......)

LOL this reminds me of a time a few years back when I heard a story on the news about some uproar about a handicap sticker. This guy was fighting over the fact that they were taking too long to issue him his sticker that was promised to him. Story doesnt seem news worthy right? Well the freakin sticker was, get this..... issued because he was/is partially BLIND
WTH is that? Who gives a blind man a license let alone an excuse to be a crappy and hazzardous driver? Oh I laughed at that one

There is no reason why you cannot ask for a temporary handicap decal/sticker... you are having issues with walking, bending, etc due to pain and a physical cause of this manifestation.

This country sees pregnancy as a handicap or disability anyways - why else would pregnant women be so discriminated against for work/employment? Why else would majority of pregnant women who are lucky enough to get ANY paid leave- only get paid maternity leave because they have to PAY for short term disability benefits?

You are in constant pain, and it is due to a pregnancy... you are not being a wuss, nor are you taking advantage of the system in any way - go ahead and ask your OB.

Yes, I did because my blood pressure was too high. Also it was summer and I had a long walk from the parking lot where I was taking graduate classes.
You doctor should be willing to get that authorized for you.

I think if you feel you need it, ask for it. You can't guarantee you will get it, but there is no shame in asking for what you want and or need. Best wishes and hope that you are feeling better soon!

M

Find out how long the dmv takes to issue a handicapped sticker in your state. I looked into it towards the end because I could barley breathe. But it would have taken 6-8 weeks for the sticker to be issued - well past when the baby came. Can you get some help from hubby or family for this time period so you don't have to do so much?

Hi Mj! My friend did get a temp. handicapped sticker when she was pregnant. She truly was disabled during that time.
Definitely look into it! I am so sorry you are having so much pain! I hope the next few weeks until delivery go by fast and you can have some relief and enjoy your new lil' one!

Take care!

This seems to have struck a few nerves?!

~My feelings on this are as follows: If you are in that much pain that you have found a Dr. who writes/has written you a (refillable?) Rx for Hydrocodone (love to know your dosage BTW) WHILE you are pregnant???...than sure, ask away...all they can say is NO.

Have you tried physical therapy? I had really bad pelvis and back pain and PT really helped.

Is it ok that you are taking the hydrocodone while pregnant? Ive had to use it for after surgery and it nearly knocks me out. I also think you might find a space to park that isnt too far from the handicap space. A couple feet farther to walk but leaves the spaces with bigger loading areas for wheelchairs and walkers for those who need them all the time.

I don't think one is necessary for the average, normal pregnancy with no complications. However, you might have some condition that you really need some extra considerations your last weeks. If so, don't be afraid to ask for what you need. I just wonder what the turn-around time is for the paperwork... You might find that you won't get the sticker back before you give birth...