handicap/twin expectant signs?

Okay, so as a twin expectant mom, I am randomly searching the web. Yesterday I found a mom blog of twins and she was given a temporary handicap pass from her doctor, she was twin pregnant. I have never heard of these yet, anyone else?? At this point I don't need one, but I definetly plan to ask my doctor about it.. Here is the link, you'll need to scroll down a bit. http://lockharttwins.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html

any thoughts??

 

That's a really good idea...I remember in my other singleton pregnancies, towards the end, if I couldn't get a close enough parking space I just went home and let Daddy do the shopping..yes, lazy I know..lol.

My job did give me a handicap pass for parking purposes, and due to the inclement weather that PA sometimes sees in the Winter. Also, I've seen that some Malls have parking spaces designated specifically for expecting moms!

 

I never got one, but I spent half of my pregnancy on bedrest, 4+ of those weeks in the hospital. So I couldn't drive anyways. Whoever would bring me to the doctors office would just drop me right at the door so I could sit down and wait for them to go park.

 

My Dr did "prescribe" one for me. Our BMV has a form that the Dr completes. You take that to the BMV, pay $15 (I think), and they give you the placard. Mine was good until the end of the month of my due date. It really was a lifesaver to have. Even for some of my Dr's appts if I hadn't had that placard, I would have had to walk really far.

I highly recommend it.

 

I have heard of people getting them and I have heard of people getting very upset when they didn't get approved for it. I personally don't believe pregnancy is a handicap and if I was in the condition that I thought required a handicapped permit then I would just stay home.

 

QUOTE(Dianne @ Jul 24 2007, 09:15 AM) [snapback]342457[/snapback]
I have heard of people getting them and I have heard of people getting very upset when they didn't get approved for it. I personally don't believe pregnancy is a handicap and if I was in the condition that I thought required a handicapped permit then I would just stay home.


I would mostly agree with your statement for uncomplicated pregnancies. However, for pregnancies complicated by PTL or other issues where the Dr has placed restrictions on how far you can walk or other such restrictions, I think it's perfectly acceptable to acquire a placard which will allow you to still maintain some sort of normalcy. Like I said, just getting to some of my Dr's appts would have been pushing it if not for my ability to use a handicapped parking space. You can't just stay home from your Dr's appts unfortunately. And, you shouldn't have to be shut in. No where in this area (that I have been to) has maternity parking. Maybe if that were more common I could also see not needing the HC placard.

I don't see a difference in using the HC placard for complicated pg and using it for my Dad's broken leg. (He was in a mine when it collapsed and a boulder rolled up the back of his leg and caused compound fractures of both bones.) And he would tell you the same.

 

QUOTE(Jennie-OH @ Jul 24 2007, 10:40 AM) [snapback]342592[/snapback]
I would mostly agree with your statement for uncomplicated pregnancies. However, for pregnancies complicated by PTL or other issues where the Dr has placed restrictions on how far you can walk or other such restrictions, I think it's perfectly acceptable to acquire a placard which will allow you to still maintain some sort of normalcy. Like I said, just getting to some of my Dr's appts would have been pushing it if not for my ability to use a handicapped parking space. You can't just stay home from your Dr's appts unfortunately. And, you shouldn't have to be shut in. No where in this area (that I have been to) has maternity parking. Maybe if that were more common I could also see not needing the HC placard.

I don't see a difference in using the HC placard for complicated pg and using it for my Dad's broken leg. (He was in a mine when it collapsed and a boulder rolled up the back of his leg and caused compound fractures of both bones.) And he would tell you the same.


I agree...if there is a complication in pregnancy, then one should have the placard. My father has a handicap license plate, while not in a wheelchair, he has several health issues especially with his legs that do not allow him to walk long distances.

 

QUOTE
I would mostly agree with your statement for uncomplicated pregnancies. However, for pregnancies complicated by PTL or other issues where the Dr has placed restrictions on how far you can walk or other such restrictions, I think it's perfectly acceptable to acquire a placard which will allow you to still maintain some sort of normalcy.
I had a pregnancy complicated at 29 weeks with PTL. Spent 2 weeks in the hospital then the remaining 5 on bedrest, I get it really I do. Chances are if your doc has imposed restrictions on you then driving is most likely one of them which means someone would have to drive you to appointments (could drop you off at the front door then go park). The hospital I went to happened to have valet parking and it was a requirement that the staff meet me at the car with a wheelchair due to my bedrest status (not my choice, hospital rule which I didn't know and the first time so I walked up only to be informed that next time I should follow the correct procedure...........oops).

 

I guess I can see both sides to this issue... On the one hand if you can get it and feel comfortable asking for it, then go for it... I think all pg mommies are entitled to whatever advantages that they can get!!! On the other hand if you really do have serious walking restrictions, then you probably shouldn't be out at stores or anywhere, except to the doctor's office... And I know that my doc's office has stork parking anyway...and our hospital, where the peri's are at, has free valet parking. During this pg I was on "modified bedrest" for 11 weeks. The docs never once mentioned to me a distance I was allowed to walk... Only told me that I could walk "from here to there" as necessary. Meaning, don't go out shopping, walking the malls, walking around the block for leisure... but if you do have to walk across the parking lot to get to the doctor's office, then that's okay. My twin pg never had any complications, so I never even thought about restricting my walking distance. Like I said before, I think ALL pg mommies deserve whatever breaks they can get...so if you feel good about asking your doctor then go for it... take your advantages where you can... But I don't think even twin pg, in general, is something that should necessarily categorize you as handicapped. A healthy twin mom, with no complications, can safely continue a daily routine of walking or other light form of exercise, so long as her doctor approves and her body feels good with it. And this would have been the reason I never would have asked for a special tag.. I always assumed that walking a reasonable distance was good for my body even pg with twins... so long as I wasn't in agonizing pain or restricted by the doctors..and in both of those cases it would have been wrong for me to be out unnecessarily.

 

QUOTE(Susanna+3 @ Jul 24 2007, 12:58 PM) [snapback]342837[/snapback]
I guess I can see both sides to this issue... On the one hand if you can get it and feel comfortable asking for it, then go for it... I think all pg mommies are entitled to whatever advantages that they can get!!! On the other hand if you really do have serious walking restrictions, then you probably shouldn't be out at stores or anywhere, except to the doctor's office... And I know that my doc's office has stork parking anyway...and our hospital, where the peri's are at, has free valet parking. During this pg I was on "modified bedrest" for 11 weeks. The docs never once mentioned to me a distance I was allowed to walk... Only told me that I could walk "from here to there" as necessary. Meaning, don't go out shopping, walking the malls, walking around the block for leisure... but if you do have to walk across the parking lot to get to the doctor's office, then that's okay. My twin pg never had any complications, so I never even thought about restricting my walking distance. Like I said before, I think ALL pg mommies deserve whatever breaks they can get...so if you feel good about asking your doctor then go for it... take your advantages where you can... But I don't think even twin pg, in general, is something that should necessarily categorize you as handicapped. A healthy twin mom, with no complications, can safely continue a daily routine of walking or other light form of exercise, so long as her doctor approves and her body feels good with it. And this would have been the reason I never would have asked for a special tag.. I always assumed that walking a reasonable distance was good for my body even pg with twins... so long as I wasn't in agonizing pain or restricted by the doctors..and in both of those cases it would have been wrong for me to be out unnecessarily.



Well said, Susanna! I was never really put on bedrest, never had PTL, so I can see the point in needing special parking, but if I were on restrictions like that I would think that the doctor's office/hospital would be the only place I would be going and not sure if my doctor would've let me drive at that point. I was lucky in that I made it to 37+ weeks before I developed HELPP syndrome. I drove myself to Walmart and walked around for at least an hour the day before the twins were born. I had been holding off on answering because I've never been in the situation, but you and Dianne had it covered pretty well.

 

A woman in my area got a handicapped parking sticker when she was pregnant and on modified bedrest, but she would use one of the wheelchairs to manuver stores, with her doctors permission of course. There is also a similar situation and reccomendation in Dr. Luke's book. If I were in that situation, I would do the same thing...
As far as the doctors, my office is an hour and a haf away, which I wouldn't drive alone, and Jay just drops me off at the door! But it would be nice to have valet!!

Shannon

 

What a good idea! The only place I was allowed to go there towards the end was to the hospital for my NST's and u/s twice a week and they have (if you can believe it) valet parking, so I never had to park my car... Valet parking at a hospital...it was a live saver!!!

alexis