Elizabeth Whitehead thought she had gotten got her long-overdue period when she woke up with cramps early yesterday morning.
But the pains got worse. And they weren't cramps.
Whitehead gave birth to an unexpected 2.5 pound baby boy on the front lawn of the Pulaski Drive home she lives in with boyfriend David Windham.
"It all happened on the grass," she said. "His head was out when I was on the grass."
Windham quickly called 911 and within minutes Barnegat police officers arrived on the scene. After a number of CPR attempts, the tiny infant began to cry.
To say Whitehead and Windom are in a state of shock would be an understatement.
"I know I am," said close friend Matt Hannah.
Whitehead said she took two pregnancy tests when she failed to get her period. Both came back negative.
The young parents - who already have a nine-month-old boy - plan to head up to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune later today where the baby is being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Whitehead was released from Southern Ocean County Hospital in Manahawkin today.
So far, "the baby is fine," Windham said.
The baby was only 24 weeks old at birth. After he was revived, he was taken to Southern Ocean County Hospital and transferred to Jersey Shore once he was stabilized, emergency response officials have said.
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