Calling all females...

Ok, I have made an observation throughout my pregnancy that I think could change the world. You think I'm joking. I am not. Since we all know that pregnant women have to use the bathroom a LOT, I'm not going to beat around the bush. I have used a LOT of public restrooms in the last 9 months. My observation is that most public restrooms are not equipped to handle a pregnant woman. If you have ever been pregnant and had to use a public restroom, you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who are either male, haven't been pregnant before, or have forgotten this inconvenience, let me tell you. I walk into a public restroom stall- where the door usually swings into the stall so you don't open the door outward onto someone else in the bathroom- and go to try and close the door. Here is where I encounter a problem. There is NO WHERE FOR MY BELLY TO GO. The first time this was an issue, I was so confused. I tried to close the door and my poor belly stood in between the stall door and the lock. Now, there are several options of solutions, however, most of these INVOLVE ACROBATICS!!!

1. I could either straddle the toilet and hope I drop nothing in the white throne while I attempt to close the door...Not a great choice for someone whose ligaments and joints are loosening and whose balance is completely out of whack.
2. I could stand on TOP of the seat to be able to close the door. Again, not a great option because one slip and I'm looking at my swollen ankle caught in half a foot of toilet water...
3. I can turn around and try to close the door behind my back and hope I can manage to keep my (also growing) rear out of the way while remaining upright. Sounds simple enough but add in a purse and any other objects I may be carrying (shopping bag, cell phone, keys, etc) and this quickly becomes very tricky as well.
4. I could lean back/squat over the toilet seat and close the door. This option is also very tricky because who wants to risk accidentally sitting on the toilet seat with their pants on (especially if the previous occupant has left a bit of a sprinkling surprise on the seat), and remember, add in a purse or other paraphernalia and this, too, is very tough to manage.

I'm sure you're wondering which option I choose to employ... Well it depends on HOW SMALL the stall actually is, but surprisingly, I use option number 4 most often. Even this results in a scrape cross my belly most of the time.

I think men designed these bathroom stalls. I think all women who are engineers/ architects need to come together and make a difference by making sure that all future bathroom stalls that are built or remodeled, have adequate room for a PREGNANT woman to use the bathroom. And by use the bathroom, I mean, just be able to get in there and close the door without major injury.

This may seem silly, but it has been a constant issue for me the last few months and I wanted to speak out. I may be forgetful, clumsy, and eat your dinner, but I have maintained some brain function and wanted to get this out there (before I forget, obviously).

You all have my permission to send this in to the editor of the newspaper.

=)