EXCLUSIVE: Teen mother, 17, who had NO idea she was pregnant reveals she gave birth alone a stranger’s BATHTUB – and had to BITE through the umbilical cord in desperate bid to save her baby
- Journey Richardson, 18, did not know she was pregnant when she went into labor
- The teen, from Alaska, gave birth in a bathtub while dog-sitting alone in a house
- She was forced to bite off her daughter’s umbilical cord before resuscitating her
A teenage mom who had no idea she was pregnant has revealed how she gave birth in a stranger’s bathtub before having to bite through her baby’s umbilical cord.
Journey Richardson, now 18, from Anchorage, Alaska, was dog-sitting alone when she suddenly began experiencing agonizing cramps – so she went to get into the bath in the hopes of soothing them.
But the pain only continued to increase and when she reached down to see where it was coming from, she was stunned and horrified to feel a baby’s head.
Moments later, the then 17-year-old said that the newborn came out face down, with Journey recalling to DailyMail.com how her baby girl was bright purple and not breathing.
She was forced to give her newborn daughter mouth-to-mouth for five minutes before successfully resuscitating the youngster, who she has since named Finn.
Journey Richardson had no idea she was pregnant has revealed how she gave birth in a stranger’s bathtub before having to bite through her baby’s umbilical cord
The then 17-year-old, from Anchorage, Alaska, went into labor while she was alone in a house to dog sit. Pictured: Journey at five months pregnant
Now, Journey is candidly opening up about the terrifying experience – revealing how doctors even dismissed her concerns that she might be pregnant after she went to them for help after receiving a positive test.
But the medical professional who she saw simply told her that it is normal to get a positive result if you have an ovarian cyst – and sent her away, with Journey feeling safe in the knowledge that the test had been incorrect.
However, during her mom Anneke’s 49th birthday party, Journey began experiencing intensely painful cramps – even joking with her younger sister, who was also having cramps, that they were both ‘in labor.’
Just one day later, Journey gave birth to her daughter.
Speaking to DailyMail.com Journey recalled how she was ‘really confused’ by the painful cramps, which she knew were ‘not normal’ – explaining that even after she realized she was in labor, she felt as though she ‘physically could not push [the baby] out’.
Journey, who was alone at the time, would later learn that she was experiencing ‘back labor’ – a pain in the lower back that is caused by the baby’s head pressing up against their mother’s spine and tailbone – which can make an already uncomfortable situation even worse.
She said that it ‘hurt a lot’ and revealed that she could hear her skin tearing as she finally managed to give birth after using the base of her right hand to push against her back.
She was forced to give her newborn daughter mouth-to-mouth for five minutes before successfully resuscitating the youngster, who she has since named Finn
During mom Anneke’s 49th birthday party (pictured together), Journey began experiencing intensely painful cramps
But the newborn was not breathing and Journey said her immediate thought was: ‘Wow, I just killed my baby.’
She quickly sprung into action, knowing she needed ‘to do whatever I can to make sure it’s okay.’
Her dad, Chad, 50, had frequently taught CPR at their house, which Journey had picked up on over time.
She began giving the newborn mouth-to-mouth and after around five minutes had successfully resuscitated the baby – all while she bled out after an unmedicated labor.
After making sure her baby was alive, Journey was left thinking: ‘Here I am in a stranger’s bathtub with a baby.’
She said that the dog she was looking after stayed right beside the bathtub the entire time she was in labor and repeatedly approach to lick her face.
But even after she managed to resuscitate her little girl, she was faced with yet another obstacle: the umbilical cord.
The new mom did not have any medical equipment to cut it, explaining that she was forced to bite through it herself.
Journey concluded that she ‘loves Finn very much’ and said they are now a ‘happy family’ along with her dogs and cat
Journey, who is 5ft 2in, weighed 110lbs at full-term – which was only 9lbs more than her usual weight. Pictured: Journey at four months pregnant
Journey revealed how she did not call 911 until two hours after giving birth, stating that she was nervous to call the emergency services because her dad worked as a first responder.
She said that her father ‘has always been my best friend’ and so she was nervous about how he would react.
Eventually, the teen called both of her parents but neither of them picked up because they were watching TV.
Instead, Journey sent them both a cryptic text saying something bad had happened and that she was on her way to the hospital.
The fire department brought Journey to the emergency room and finally got in touch with her parents.
When Journey’s father picked up the phone, the fireman on the other end said: ‘Congratulations Grandpa, they’re both healthy.’
Journey’s mother was also shocked to discover that her daughter had given birth because she was so small.
Journey, who is 5ft 2in, weighed 110lbs at full-term – which was only nine pounds more than her usual weight.
Her parents arrived at the hospital and asked to see the latest addition to the family.
Journey said: ‘I didn’t even think that keeping Finn would be an option, but when my parents asked to see her I realized I could.
‘I never thought I wanted children… I didn’t really like kids.’
Journey has not suffered from any long-term health problems as a result of the unassisted labor – despite some scarring inside her uterus
She explained that she was nervous she would not ‘do a good job as a mother’ and that she would never want to bring a child into the world if she could not give them the best life possible.
But, after having Finn, Journey said: ‘The first time I saw Finn I would have done anything in my power in that moment to save her.’
The proud mom, who is now 18, has said her entire family takes care of the baby and that Finn’s father is still involved in his daughter’s life.
Journey has not suffered from any long-term health problems as a result of the unassisted labor – despite some scarring inside her uterus from when giving birth to the placenta tore her lining.
Finn was born with a rare disorder called Klippel-Feil syndrome which is when two or more vertebrae in the neck are fused together from birth.
All seven of Finn’s vertebrae are fused which makes it an even rarer case.
People with Klippel-Feil syndrome may have short-neck-limited movement.
Journey concluded that she ‘loves Finn very much’ and said they are now a ‘happy family’ along with her dogs and cat.
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