By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SPRINGDALE - If you're expecting, , it's a little easier to find a parking spot at some malls or Babies 'R' Us.

Those "Expectant Mother Parking" signs that have been popping up across the nation recently hit the Tristate. The trend emerged years ago in some hospital parking lots. But over the last decade, it has swept a retail industry.

At Tri-County Mall, more than 30 signs reserving parking next to the handicap signs went up in September for pregnant women and parents with small children.

The spots are almost always full.

"We always look for them," said Nicole Dollenmeyer, 28, of Hamilton, as she strapped her son, Jackson, 2, into a stroller at the mall this week. "It's much more convenient and safe."

Signs for expectant mothers also are at the Babies 'R' Us at Forest Fair Mall

"I was like, 'Oh, yes!' It was great," said Wileena Brown, 22, of Forest Park. "It was just so much of a pain to even walk and to have parking that close to the store was just great."

The signs give Julie Olberding of Pleasant Ridge a sheepish peace of mind knowing she'll only have to shepherd her two small boys about 40 feet across the crowded parking lot into the store instead of the usual 500 feet.

"I actually feel a bit guilty using it," Olberding, 36, acknowledged, as she lifted Max, 1, and Noah, 5, into her van Tuesday at Tri-County.

"I'm not expecting. But it really is a safety issue when you have small kids, and it's so hard to keep them together and for drivers to see them as you're walking across the parking lot."

Tri-County's signs are strictly for courtesy. They are not enforceable by law such as handicap parking signs, according to Forest Park and Springdale police.

Police say they are not about to start administering pregnancy tests or checking vehicles for child car seats.

"Who is to say who is pregnant and who is not pregnant?" Capt. Bill Hafer points out. "What seems obvious isn't always accurate."

Besides, motorists so far at Tri-County are minding their manners, Holzwarth says. "It's really amazing because you will see people looking for a parking space and they will pass them by."

---

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com