When can you use ‘parents with prams’ car parking spots?

A heavily pregnant Aussie model took to social media for help with her car struggles – and was met with a very mixed response.

A heavily pregnant woman who could not get into her car when it was parked in standard spot has reignited an age-old debate on social media.

Jess King, a model living in Melbourne, said she was unable to get into her car at 34-weeks pregnant due to the tiny size of the parking bay.

After being unable to access her vehicle for more than 60 minutes, the 35-year-old took to TikTok to ask about a possible solution, and was met with mixed reviews.

“I’m 34-weeks pregnant, and I just got locked out of my car for a full hour, because the parks here are so small,” she said.

“The person next to me had parked so close to me that I literally could not get in.”

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So, she wanted to know, would it be okay for her to use ‘parents with prams’ parking spots?

“There needs to be some sort of assistance,” the body confidence advocate said.

“Can I park in those car parks? Because it’s getting to the point where I can hardly get through the door.”

Many commenters on the post said she should leave those spots for people with kids.

“As a pregnant girl … I’m going to say no, because I’ve watched parents with prams use those spots and even then it resembles a game of Tetris,” one person said.

“Yeah, no, sorry I don’t. 37 weeks pregnant and it’s certainly a struggle but nowhere near as bad as juggling a baby, a toddler and a pram. If pregnant women take the spots then mothers have to try and fit into the spot you could get into,” another agreed.

Some said it was dependent on how much the pregnancy was impacting her.

“If a pregnant person was struggling to walk, then of course there should be no problems parking there. It’s when people just park in these spaces because of pure laziness … that bugs me,” one person shared.

“If you are pregnant enough that the baby is causing you to be inconvenienced by needing to go to the shops then yes,” said another.

“100 per cent within reason! If you’re in your last few weeks and you’ve got all the uncomfortable niggles and pain, and you can’t squeeze out of your car anymore, I think it’s fully acceptable. Especially if you’re by yourself and your partner can’t just drive forward to help you get out before parking,” a third shared.

But, the vast majority assured Ms King that it would be totally fine.

“I needed that spot way more as a heavily pregnant lady than I do now with bub. I was so big and in pain so couldn’t walk far but was too scared to use it,” one person shared.

“Being pregnant is brutal and you need the extra space,” another agreed.

“Absolutely you can park there. Pregnant women should get priority in those parks,” a third said.

While this sentiment was reassuring, the questioned remained around whether it’s actually allowed.

Unlike disability parking spots, parents with prams parking spots are not enforced by law, and are rather a courtesy provided by private property owners – like shopping centres.

NRMA confirmed to news.com.au that there is nothing to prevent a person without a pram, or infant, parking in a pram spot. Car park management could ask someone to move – but really, there’s not a lot they can do.

So, it all comes down to courtesy.

If you need the extra space, take it. But, if you think someone might need it more, perhaps leave it for them.

Originally published as When can you use ‘parents with prams’ car parking spots?