Alaska Woman Discovers She’s Pregnant During Surprise Labor in Bath
- Journey Richardson, a 17-year-old from Anchorage, had no prior indication of pregnancy and mistook labor pains for menstrual cramps.
- During an unassisted home birth, her baby, Finnley, emerged purple and unresponsive, leading to severe complications from retained placenta.
- Despite the traumatic experience and challenges ahead for her daughter, Richardson expresses profound love and gratitude for her unexpected motherhood.
In March 2023, a 17-year-old girl from Anchorage, Alaska, experienced a cryptic pregnancy and unexpectedly gave birth in her bath. The young mother, Journey Richardson, initially mistook her labor pains for menstrual cramps and did not realize she was pregnant until she felt her baby's hair during a bath. Upon delivering a purple, unresponsive baby girl named Finnley, she faced a traumatic situation with no immediate access to medical assistance. After giving birth, heavy bleeding ensued due to the placenta not being delivered naturally. In her state of shock, she took drastic measures, using her teeth to cut the umbilical cord. As a result of this unexpected situation, Finnley was born with a congenital defect that requires ongoing medical support and surgeries. Despite the challenges posed by cryptic pregnancies, which can lead to dangerous scenarios for both mother and baby, Richardson expressed deep love and gratitude for her daughter, noting that she did not plan to have children but valued this unexpected parenthood as a life-changing experience.