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
If I saw a child drowning while I had been pregnant with my own twins, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. I would've dove right in. Why were there no parents present, supervising this toddler? She did what any good person would have done, pregnant or not. She chose to save this child's life. I never would've have been able to live with myself, and I'm sure that's what she's thinking, too. Kudos to Peng Weiping!
So if I see a child drowning, it's OK that I jump in and save the child as long as I am not pregnant? That the biggest bunch of crap I have ever heard. I would never willingly put my unborn child's life in danger, but I would never be able to live with myself if I let another die because of that possibility.
She did the right thing. At great risk to hers and her childrens life. But still the right thing.
damned if you do, damned if you don't
i can honestly say that if i saw a child in danger i wouldnt think at all. Just do. its a knee jerk reaction for me. Ive been in the situation before so i can honestly say what i would do. It was my neice while tubing. 7 years old, she took her life jacket off and dropped it in the water, she was trying to get it and fell off the tube. I actually sprained my arm jumping to get her from the position i was in and i grabbed her. When i went to have my arm looked at i founf out i was pregnant LMAO!!! Seriously!!!