Stand By Your Woman
Recently, an obese woman who didn't realize she was pregnant gave birth to a son. This article discusses the hateful comments that have been directed at this woman on a newspaper website due to her size, as well as comments made by the woman (April Branum) and her fiance(Walter Edwards II) in her defense.
"'I just glanced at the comments, and I was, like, "whatever,"' Branum, 39, said in a recent interview. 'Being big all your life, you expect it. I'm sure there are more people who think it but just don't say it.'
Walter Edwards II – her fiancé and the baby's father – reacted less nonchalantly, calling The Orange County Register to complain about the hateful, uncensored comments being posted about Branum, whose obesity likely prevented her from being aware of the pregnancy. "If I could reach through my computer and strangle them, I would," Edwards said.
With Branum's story, readers commented on her sexual relations with her fiancé, her eating and exercise habits, and her abilities as a mother. Some comments were removed by staff because of a policy prohibiting vulgarity and personal attacks."
Some people have cancelled their subscriptions due to these comments, but April Branum herself seems too busy with her newborn to be bothered too much. There are pictures accompanying the article. And really, no matter what you think of the parents, that is one cute baby.
"'I just glanced at the comments, and I was, like, "whatever,"' Branum, 39, said in a recent interview. 'Being big all your life, you expect it. I'm sure there are more people who think it but just don't say it.'
Walter Edwards II – her fiancé and the baby's father – reacted less nonchalantly, calling The Orange County Register to complain about the hateful, uncensored comments being posted about Branum, whose obesity likely prevented her from being aware of the pregnancy. "If I could reach through my computer and strangle them, I would," Edwards said.
With Branum's story, readers commented on her sexual relations with her fiancé, her eating and exercise habits, and her abilities as a mother. Some comments were removed by staff because of a policy prohibiting vulgarity and personal attacks."
Some people have cancelled their subscriptions due to these comments, but April Branum herself seems too busy with her newborn to be bothered too much. There are pictures accompanying the article. And really, no matter what you think of the parents, that is one cute baby.
posted by mo pie at 12:13 PM
4 Comments:
I feel bad for her but I don't understand... I mean wouldn't she have gotten morning sickness, or noticed that she didn't have her period for 9 months or something?
Is there a link to the original article?
Lots of women have weird cycles, some women bleed during pregnancy, and not everybody gets morning sickness. Plus, morning sickness for me did not feel all that different from what I call "stress gastritis," which I get any time I'm eating badly, not getting enough sleep, and drinking too much coffee.
I can see how it could happen. (It happened to my cousin, too, but in that case I am pretty sure she was just too stoned to notice she was pregnant.)
A few years ago, I read about a doctor who didn't realize she was pregnant until she was almost finished with her second trimester. It happens.
Also, when I was at 400 pounds, I had a period at most maybe two or three times a year, and some years not at all. (Trust me, I didn't miss it.)
I think it's incredibly irresponsible for the newspaper to allow these comments to remain on their website. They edit their op-ed letters, right? Why is it different on the internet?
Just a year and a half ago a friend of mine (who would be considered in a 'normal' weight) didn't realize that she was pregnant until her last trimester.
There are lots of reasons why a woman might not realize that she is pregnant.
I was and am considered obese and I had a very smooth pregnancy (with the exception of diabetes) and was pretty comfortable with my body...even the labor was a really relaxed. I tend to be pretty body conscious...so I knew I was pregnant within a couple of weeks.
There are many reasons why a person might not know that they are pregnant...and no one...I cannot believe how callous some people can be.
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