A woman who didn’t realize she was pregnant has revealed how she ended up giving birth on the toilet after mistaking her contractions for constipation.
Marla McEntire, from Georgia, had unknowingly carried the baby for 40 weeks despite birth control.
The 34-year-old said she had only missed one period in that time, but rejected it after taking a pregnancy test that came back negative.
But she eventually gave birth to her five-pound, 18-inch son—whom she’s since named Atlas Cohen—while sitting on the toilet.
Marla McEntire, from Georgia, had unknowingly carried the baby for 40 weeks despite birth control
She eventually gave birth to her 5-pound, 18-inch son—whom she has since named Atlas Cohen—while sitting on the toilet
Marla took to TikTok to share and tell her story followers: ‘I am 34 years old, I have never had a pregnancy scare.
“I got pregnant last May and I never showed it, my belly was squishy, my belly button wouldn’t come out, no morning sickness, I never felt a kick — nothing.
“Around January I started having some hip pain and some stomach issues, so I went to a chiropractor and to a doctor and no one noticed there was a baby in there.”
Speaking of Atlas’s birth, she said, “That night I thought I was constipated.
“I sent my dad to the store to get me laxatives and I went back and forth to the bathroom about five times.
“And then Atlas came for the fifth time.”
Marla, who has been on birth control since she was 18, continues: ‘So I had just had Atlas on the toilet, I looked down and saw he’s alive and I’m screaming for my dad.
“My dad comes in there and helps me get the baby out of the toilet because he’s clearly still stuck at the moment and it’s a little hard for me to get him out.”
The 34-year-old said she had only missed one period in that time, but rejected it after taking a pregnancy test that came back negative
Unsuspecting mother gave birth to son while sitting on toilet after mistaking her contractions for constipation
Marla and Atlas were eventually taken to the hospital for a check-up – and both mother and baby are doing well
She later told the New York Post“I looked down in the toilet, and he’s in there with water up to his ears and right under his chin, just looking back at me, like, ‘Are you going to get me out of here mom?”‘
Her father, Kevin, immediately called 911 for advice, who began talking him through the next steps.
She explains, “The EMTs are like, ‘Okay, you need to tie off the umbilical cord,’ but he’s really uncomfortable with that, so he takes a French fries clip — like the clips you use to close your chip bags — and cuts my umbilical cord with it.” until the EMTs arrive.
“We live in the middle of nowhere, so it takes about 20 minutes for this to happen — and right now I’m just sprawled out on the floor with my dad right there — and I’m like, ‘What’s happening now.’ “
“There was so much to process at once.”
Marla said the bathroom “looked like a murder scene” and the father-daughter duo tried to remain as calm as possible.
They were eventually taken to hospital for a check-up – and both mother and baby are doing well.
Marla has since told the publication, “There are still some paternity issues that I’m dealing with.”
Marla’s sister Lacey (pictured together) took to Instagram to share a heartwarming post about the new mother-son duo
The new mom said she is thankful for her family and friends who banded together to buy baby gear and necessities at such short notice.
Her sister, Lacey, also took to Instagram to share a heartwarming post about the new mother-son duo.
She wrote, “February 27, 11:28 PM was one of those moments that changes your life in a split second. My sister unexpectedly and miraculously gave birth to a healthy, beautiful boy…at home…without ever knowing she was pregnant.
‘Dear baby Atlas, it’s sooo crazy to think that seven days ago no one even knew you existed. Not even your mother! (who was getting ready to leave for a four-day camping music festival in Florida… thank goodness you showed up when you did).
“I never thought I would become an aunt, but now here I am, so overwhelmed with love for you little man!! Give me another week and maybe I won’t cry every time I hold you.
“Dear sister, the moment I heard that Atlas was born and met you all in the hospital, I saw a change come over you, a new sense of peace and purpose in this life.
“You have a great testimony now, sister, and you’ve taken on this unexpected role of motherhood so beautifully. I seriously couldn’t be prouder of you.’