An absorbent article was recently patented comprising a liquid-permeable topsheet on a skin surface and a backsheet on a garment surface. First flexible hinges and second flexible hinges are formed to extend longitudinally along the absorbent article. The first flexible hinges are located symmetrically around a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article to define a central absorbent portion. The second flexible hinges are located symmetrically about the longitudinal centerline and spaced outwardly apart from the first flexible hinges to define support portions between adjacent first and second flexible hinges and side portions outside the second flexible hinges. The first flexible hinges facilitate bending of the support portions from the central absorbent portion and the second flexible hinges facilitate bending of the side portions from the support portions. The absorbent layer is located between the topsheet and the backsheet in both the central absorbent portion and the support portions. The absorbent layer has a higher basis weight in the central absorbent portion than in the support portions, so that when no external force is exerted on the absorbent article, the support portions, as well as the first and second flexible hinges, are located below a midpoint of thickness of the central absorbent portion.