Getting back to a parked car when you're laden down with heavy shopping can often be a difficult task for many of us.

If you're squeezed into a tight space it can be hard to manoeuvre yourself back inside.

But it's even harder for pregnant women, who can often struggle to move around as it is.

It's led to some people asking whether prospective mums should be allowed to use parent and child spaces.

The Manchester Evening News had a look at the law, and what stores say about the issue.

What does the law say?

David Connor, a director at WHN Solicitors , said it's not clear cut.

He said: “It’s a very woolly area of law as pregnant women are with child, but not in the technical sense.

"Heavily pregnant women need extra space in the same way a parent with a small child would need extra room to load shopping and children into the car.

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Should pregnant women be allowed to use parent and child spaces?


“You’ll see designated priority spaces close to entrances on trains and buses - so public transport recognises this need - but there’s no law extending this to private car parks, meaning it’s at the land owner’s discretion.

"Some areas of law such as personal injury cover ‘en ventre sa mere’ – meaning a child in a mother’s womb – but this currently doesn’t extend to contract law which governs car parking.

“By entering a private car park, you’re effectively entering into a contract with the parking company, with the sign disclaimers creating the agreement.


"Closely monitor this signage as some do state the child must be with you to warrant parking in the parent and child spaces, while some don’t.

“Use caution and in the worst case if you’re slapped with a fine, you may be able to challenge it if the signage isn’t clear on whether or not the spaces can be used by pregnant women, but this is at the discretion of each car parking firm’s stance.”

What do supermarkets and stores say?

Where can you park while you're pregnant?
Where can you park while you're pregnant?

Ikea is a step ahead of many retailers by offering specific 'expectant mum' spaces. Sadly, this in only in America and there are no current plans to introduce them over here.

A spokesman said it would be down to individual stores as to whether a pregnant woman could park in one of their parent and child bays.

He said: "Our main aim is to make the shopping experience as smooth as possible for each customer and many stores offer extra assistance for those who need it."

At Sainsbury's pregnant women can use the parent and child bays, but need to clear it with the individual store first.

A spokeswoman said: "Use of the bays must be arranged with the store. They have to be aware so they can give the registration to the parking attendants monitoring the bays, in case it's not immediately clear that the customer is pregnant." 

Asda's policy is similar and pregnant customers would need to mention the fact they are using one of the bays to staff. 

Neither Tesco or Morrisons responded to their request for a comment.