Katie Fehlinger is a meteorologist at CBS 3 Philly in Philadelphia. Her job naturally puts her in the spotlight for potentially thousands of people to see.
She is also 35 weeks pregnant with twin girls. Over the course of her pregnancy, she has continued to work, giving the morning weather reports on a regular basis.
While her body has been changing — most noticeably her growing baby bump — some viewers have taken to social media to express negative reactions to her appearance.
She told Yahoo Parenting that a couple of comments took it too far.
The one that came in about the sausage in casing, that one upset me the most. I didn't respond, I tried to move on, but it really hurt my feelings.
Then I got another one this week, about looking 'disgusting,' and a switch flipped for me. I had a moment of clarity — I didn't get embarrassed or hurt. I got fed up.
She saw the comments not only as a slight against her, but against all mothers.
Could well be my last match before these twins arrive. Let's walk away w/ 3 points! @PhilaUnion v @ChicagoFire #DOOP
Fed up with the negativity, on Wednesday she responded to her body shamers with a Facebook post defending her appearance while sending a message to all pregnant women that they are beautiful.
The post has 38,000 likes and over 300 shares to date.
The post reads, in part:
Even during the most uncomfortable - and let's face it, less than glamorous - symptoms of pregnancy, what women go through to bring their precious children into the world is, simply put, AMAZING and you should be lauded.
Frankly, I don't care how "terrible" or "inappropriate" anyone thinks I look. I will gladly gain 50 pounds & suffer sleepless, uncomfortable nights if it means upping my chances to deliver 2 healthy baby girls. Now it's about more than aesthetics. I want these babies to have the best start possible. And that hopefully means my belly that "looks like it's about to explode!" will continue to grow the next few weeks.
I say let's raise a Shirley Temple to swollen feet, stretch marks, nausea, all the extra pounds and the dark circles! They're badges of motherhood. And for those of you who think that's "disgusting", remember a woman went through the very same thing to bring YOU into the world.
In the meantime, let's all remember the lesson Mom taught us - if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.
Since the posting, Fehlinger has had an overwhelming amount of positive support, with mothers and fellow newscasters from all over tweeting pictures of their own baby bumps in a show of solidarity.
@katiefehlinger This is me 2 yrs ago, 38.5 weeks pregnant with twin girls. Keep rockin' your lovely bump. #CBS3
Sending out my #BabyBump in support of @katiefehlinger & moms everywhere! @CBSPhilly #CBS3
I loved my friend @katiefehlinger's post about pregnancy shaming. A pic from my last day on air - only 1 baby! #cbs3
In a follow-up post, Fehlinger expressed her gratitude. "Beyond overwhelmed at the response! I NEVER expected this," she said. "Thank you all for proving that positivity outweighs the negative."
