A pregnant television meteorologist is firing back after receiving several body-shaming comments from viewers.
Katie Fehlinger of Philadelphia's KYW-TV, who is pregnant with twins, took to Facebook on Wednesday to respond to the "haters" who called her a "sausage in casing" and "disgusting."
"Frankly, I don't care how 'terrible' or 'inappropriate' anyone thinks I look," Fehlinger wrote on her Facebook page. "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."
Her post had been shared more than 4,600 times and received 60,000 likes by Sunday morning. Fans were overwhelmingly supportive, chiming in with more than 10,000 comments.
"Anyone who doesn't respect, and understand what a sacred time this is, is an idiot," wrote Facebook user Chelsea Rebecca.
"I'm confused," added Heather Elms Hunt. "She is stunning. Absolutely beautiful. What could anyone [possibly] say about her?"
Fehlinger also lauded moms everywhere and had some advice for the critics.
"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," she wrote. "In the meantime, let's all remember the lesson Mom taught us – if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all."