An absorbent article (1) comprising an absorbent component (5a, 5b, 5c), having a centre segment and two side segments separated by channel sealings (9, 10), sandwiched between a liquid-permeable topsheet (3) and a liquid-impermeable backsheet (4). The absorbent component (5a, 5b, 5c) is formed so that the total amount of absorbent material in the centre segment (5a) is generally equal to, or greater than, the total amount of absorbent material in each one of the side segments (5b, 5c) and that the channel sealings (9, 10) and the centre segment (5a) are generally parallell to the longitudinal axis (y1) and that the absorbent component (5a, 5b, 5c) is configured with an ability to expand on wetting and displaying a first volume in dry condition and a second volume in completely expanded wet condition, the second volume being greater than the first volume, and the core cover (11,12), which is arranged around the absorbent component (5a, 5b, 5c), constitutes volume-limiting means and defines and limits an expansion space for the centre segment (5a) so that the centre segment (5a) is prevented from reaching complete expansion to the second volume on wetting, and that the ratio of the first width (a1) of the centre segment (5a) and the width (a3) of the absorbent component (5a, 5b, 5c), in dry condition, is 0.25-0.45.
