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

A teenage mother who had no idea she was pregnant has revealed how she gave birth in a stranger’s bathtub before having to bite down on her baby’s umbilical cord.

Journey Richardson, now 18, from Anchorage, Alaska, was alone caring for dogs when she suddenly began experiencing agonizing cramps, so she went to take a bath in hopes of calming them down.

But the pain kept increasing, and when she bent down to see where it was coming from, she was stunned and horrified to feel the head of a baby.

Moments later, the then 17-year-old said the newborn came out face down, with Journey reminding DailyMail.com that her baby was a bright purple and not breathing.

She was forced to give her newborn daughter mouth-to-mouth for five minutes before successfully resuscitating the young man, whom she has since named Finn.

The then 17-year-old, from Anchorage, Alaska, went into labor while alone in a home dog-sitting. In the image: Journey to five months of pregnancy

Now, Journey is opening up about the terrifying experience, revealing how doctors even dismissed her concerns that she might be pregnant after she came to them for help after receiving a positive test.

But the medical professional she saw simply told her that it’s normal to test positive if you have an ovarian cyst, and dismissed her, with Journey feeling safe knowing the test had been wrong.

However, during her mother Anneke’s 49th birthday party, Journey began experiencing intensely painful cramps, even joking with her younger sister, who also had cramps, that they were both “in labor.”

Just one day later, Journey gave birth to their daughter.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Journey recalled how she she was “really confused” by the painful cramps, which she knew were “not normal”, explaining that even after realizing she was in labor, she felt like she “physically couldn’t push (the baby)”.

Journey, who was alone at the time, would later find out that she was experiencing ‘back labor’, a pain in the lower back caused by the pressure of the baby’s head against its mother’s spine and tailbone, which can make an already uncomfortable situation worse.

she said that ‘it hurt a lot’ and revealed that he could hear the tearing of her skin as she finally managed to give birth after using the heel 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 young woman, whom she has since named Finn.

During Mama Anneke’s (pictured together) 49th birthday party, Journey began experiencing intensely painful cramps

But the newborn wasn’t breathing, and Journey said her immediate thought was, ‘Wow, I just killed my baby.’

He quickly sprang into action, knowing he needed to “do everything I can to make sure everything is okay.”

Her father, Chad, 50, frequently taught CPR at home, something Journey had learned over time.

She began giving the newborn mouth to mouth and after about five minutes she had successfully resuscitated the baby. – all while bleeding to death after a drug-free delivery.

After making sure her baby was alive, Journey was left thinking, “Here I am in a stranger’s bathtub with a baby.”

She said the dog she was caring for stayed by the bathtub the entire time she was in labor and repeatedly came up to lick her face.

But even after she managed to resuscitate her little girl, she faced another hurdle: the umbilical cord.

The new mom didn’t have any medical equipment to cut it, explaining that she was forced to bite it herself.

Journey concluded that he “loves Finn very much” and said that they are now a “happy family” along with their dogs and cat.

Journey, who is 5-foot-2, weighed in at 110 pounds at term, which was just 9 pounds more than her usual weight. In the photo: Trip to the four months of pregnancy

Journey revealed that she did not call 911 until two hours after giving birth, stating that she she was nervous about calling emergency services because her dad worked as a lifeguard.

She said that her father “has always been my best friend” and that she was nervous about how he would react.

Eventually, the teen called her parents, but neither answered because they were watching TV.

Instead, Journey sent them both a cryptic text saying that something bad had happened and that he was on his way to the hospital.

The fire department took Journey to the emergency room and eventually made contact with her parents.

When Journey’s father answered the phone, the firefighter on the other end said, ‘Congratulations Grandpa, you’re both healthy.’

Journey’s mother was also shocked to find out that her daughter had given birth because she was so young.

Journey, who is 5-foot-2, weighed in at 110 pounds at term, which was just nine pounds more than her usual weight.

His parents arrived at the hospital and asked to see the newest addition to the family.

Journey said, “I didn’t even think staying with Finn would be an option, but when my parents asked to see her, I realized I could.”

‘I never thought I wanted children… I really didn’t like children.’

Journey has not suffered any long-term health problems as a result of her unassisted labor, despite some scarring inside her uterus.

She explained that she was nervous that 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 everything in my power at the time to save her.”

The proud mum, now 18, has said that her entire family is looking after the baby and that Finn’s father is still involved in his daughter’s life.

Journey has not suffered any long-term health problems as a result of unassisted labor, despite some scarring inside her uterus when she gave birth and the placenta tore through its lining.

Finn was born with a rare disorder called Klippel-Feil syndrome, which occurs when two or more vertebrae in the neck are fused together from birth.

Finn’s seven vertebrae are all fused together, making him an even rarer case.

People with Klippel-Feil syndrome may have limited movement of the short neck.

Journey concluded that he “loves Finn very much” and said that they are now a “happy family” along with their dogs and cat.