cshenk wrote:
> "Stan Horwitz" wrote
>
>> Why would an expectant mother need preferential parking? Most expectant
>> mothers I have known were perfectly capable of walking to a store from
>> any location in a parking lot and that includes a colleague of mine who
>> is due next month who walks a few blocks to her car at work every day
>> without a problem.
>
> If it's her first with no others in tow, it's not really needed. I do know
> I needed them at the very end just before labor. Say, last 2 weeks? I
> could walk of course, but not 'fast' and any distance became somewhat hard
> to manage. Has to do with how the hips adjust in the later stages (so I was
> told).

All of the joints "soften" during pregnancy, preparing to allow the
pelvic bones to separate to allow delivery. Pregnancy also puts a
greater strain on the cardiopulmonary system, and the enlarged and heavy
uterus compresses the vena cava, pelvic blood vessels and the urinary
bladder. It also inhibits effective breathing by limiting diaphragmatic
excursion. Feet and legs swell. The gait is a waddle. The body is off
balance. Walking can become very hard, indeed.

However, it is wonderful to hear from men who, based on their
observations, have determined that activity during pregnancy is no big
deal for "most expectant mothers." Keep up the good work, guys.