M.R. asks from Olathe, KS on June 10, 2011
Handicap Sticker While Pregnant?
Out of curiosity, has anyone gotten a temporary handicap parking sticker while pregnant. I had terrible sciatic and hip pain with my first pregnancy. I was barely able to walk the last three weeks, couldn't work, and sometimes used a wheelchair when in a store. I am almost 33 weeks and hanging in there, but am starting to experience a lot of hip and pelvis pain that radiates down my legs. Have tried chiro and massage with little results. Somedays I have to take hydrocodone in order to get out of bed, which I really do not like doing. I really don't go a lot of places other than necessity trips like grocery store, target, so it's not that big of a deal but was contemplating asking my doctor for a sticker if it gets to the point it did in my first pregnancy. And this time I have a 3 year old also. Getting her in and out of the car seat is a killer. I don't lift her hardly at all, but the bending to buckle and get her in a cart. Just wondering if anyone else has asked for a sticker, what your experience was. I guess I just don't want to seem like a wuss.
So What Happened?™
Thank you for your input. Yes I have tried pt and 3 chiropractors. I considered injections but got pregnant before that could happen. I have dealt with this Sciatic pain for the last three years and fibromyalgia for almost 9 years. I know what people think of people w fibromyalgia, they are lazy, crazy, faking it, etc. You don't look sick. I only tell my closest friends after I trust bc it is so hard to have people making judgements about what you should or should not be able to do. I never missed a.day of
work bc of my fibromyalgia and if I could have walked the last 3 weeks of pregnancy I would have been there. I get frustrated by people abusing the system too and don't ever want to be compared to those people. I was afraid to even ask this question bc I assumed I would get some of the responses I did. Like I said, I'm not out doing leisure shopping. I'm getting milk and food for my daughter and for the most part, the parking is not that big of a deal. I'm just worried if it gets bad like last time. Thank you for support.
@Kelsey-my Dr. Rx'd the script. I rarely take it and obviously do not like taking it. It does not make me feel loop. In fact, it just takes the pain down a notch to where I can tolerate it. I still am in a lot of pain, everyday. That is my reality. Some days are harder than others. I know it's not cancer or ms or some other horrible disease but there is a lot of grief in not being able to do the everyday things I want to do bc I don't have the energy. If I overdo it, I pay for it 10 fold. I am a perfectionist by nature and it is hard to not be able do the things I once did.
Featured Answers
H.W. answers from Portland on June 10, 2011
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.
10 moms found this helpful
M.H. answers from Lansing on June 10, 2011
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.
7 moms found this helpful
More Answers
C.S. answers from Kansas City on June 10, 2011
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 (with twins) and wished I could have parked closer to the store and YES, I DID RIDE ONE OF THOSE SLOOOOOOOOOOW ASSED CARTS ONCE I **FINALLY**made it inside.
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 so as nice as that would have been, in my case it was not an option. Not only that, not every trip was to the store. I had 2 doctors appointments at two different locations every single week for the majority of the pregnancy and unfortunately my husband could not always go with me. 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.
12 moms found this helpful
A.P. answers from Eugene on June 10, 2011
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!
12 moms found this helpful
D.S. answers from Washington DC on June 10, 2011
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!
11 moms found this helpful
H.W. answers from Portland on June 10, 2011
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.
10 moms found this helpful
M.H. answers from Lansing on June 10, 2011
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.
7 moms found this helpful
L.P. answers from Pittsfield on June 10, 2011
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
6 moms found this helpful
L.K. answers from Kansas City on June 10, 2011
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.
5 moms found this helpful
M.S. answers from Portland on June 10, 2011
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!!
5 moms found this helpful
Email
facebook
twitter
StumbleUpon
digg it
kirtsy
Technorati
reddit
del.icio.us
blinklist
simpy
