Recently a woman saw a toddler drowning in a pond. No other adults were around, so despite the water's icy temperatures and the fact that she can't swim, the woman, Peng Weiping, jumped into the pond and rescued the toddler, saving the 2-year-old girl's life.
A true hero, right? You would think so, but not everyone agrees. In fact, some have called her downright reckless and irresponsible for the rescue. The reason: Weiping is 6 1/2 months pregnant with twins.
But should that change anything?
According to China Daily, Weiping and her babies are fine. She's currently in the hospital, and the immediate risk of miscarriage has been ruled out. Doctors did say that there could still be consequences for the babies, but that as of now, everyone is stable, fortunately.
Still, the incident, which happened in the Anhui province, has sparked considerable controversy and condemnation of Weiping's actions. One mother-to-be, Wu Ning, told the paper:
Peng was risking not only her own life, but also that of her babies'. Even thought what she did is selfless I wouldn't recommend it — just imagine how she would have felt if she had lost the babies. People have to think rationally about their own safety.
For her part, Weiping says she didn't think twice before she jumped into the pond. She said she just closed her eyes and jumped in.
And really, how could she have done anything else? In a situation like that your instincts kick in, and I can't imagine anyone in the same situation doing anything less than she did. Sure there were her own babies to think about, but when you see a life in front of you fading, how could you not act? If heroes always thought about the personal risks to themselves and consequences for their families, we'd have few heroes. I would hope I would have done the same thing, pregnant or not; I would hope anyone would do the same if it was my child in trouble.
Sure we should take every precaution we can when we're pregnant and not recklessly put our unborn children in danger, but to say that this woman is somehow selfish or careless for her heroic feat is outrageous. She should be nothing but lauded for it, and her twins are lucky to have such a brave mother.
Do you think this woman should be criticized for risking her babies' lives? Do you think you would have done the same thing in a similar situation?
Image via spaceodissey/Flickr
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Comments 148
Where the hell were the parents of the toddler drowning? Why is everyone so concerned about the woman who did something selfless and brave (btw being pregnant isnt like being terminally ill!) and no one seems at all concerned that there was a toddler alone near a pond... ?
omg people this is NOT a chinese issue, it's a pregnancy issue. you ca be damn sure if it happened the us some crazy right to life nutsack would screaming for her head too.
bravo to this lady - what a wonderfuk mother she will be
last time i checked being pregnant wasnt a handicap or an illness
she is a hero
As another poster commented:
The drowning toddler was a girl. The unborn twins *might* produce one or two males. Therefore, let the girl drown.
Any word on WHY a toddler girl was all alone near a freezing pond?
I am pregnant, and I have a two year old daughter. I would rescue anyone child drowning regardless if I was pregnant or not.
If she hadn't saved that child, then someone else would have vilified her for letting that child drown. So she is damned regardless of what she did or didn't do. God bless her with strong beautiful children and let her deliver them healthy in a few more months.