All births are magical in their own way, of course, but en caul births are particularly enchanting—and said to be a sign of good luck, too. There is a beauty in birth that cannot be defined by words.
When the infant emerges from the amniotic sac still within or partially wrapped, it is referred to as a “en caul birth,” also known as a “mermaid birth” or “veiled birth.” This is quite uncommon, occurring in only 1 in 80,000 births.1 Your newborn may appear to be totally enclosed in a soft bubble, like a present.
The amniotic sac is made up of two layers of membranes and filled with amniotic fluid which the baby has been floating inside of during the entire pregnancy.
Your amniotic sac typically ruptures, or your water breaks, as labor approaches. The infant is delivered en caul, frequently inside the inner layer of the membrane or only partially covered, if the water does not break.
The amniotic sac, which the midwife or doctor carefully removes, contains everything the baby needs to stay safe during birth and immediately after. Sometimes a squirming baby, may even break open the amniotic sac on their own. Although extra caution should be used if the baby is delivered with the outer membrane still intact, the sac can be easily removed if it has already burst or is just partially covering the infant.
Probably the coolest birth photo!
The amazing bag of waters!
“I was in awe to see this first-time mom rock the hands-off homebirth of her first child.”
The amniotic sac. A sight to behold.
Birth is powerful, intense and magical…and birthing our last baby, still in her amniotic sac was incredible and miraculous.
Mom (a midwife herself!) is delivering her baby into her own hands. The shiny thing on baby’s head is part of the caul, also known as the amniotic sac.
She came into the world, with waters still intact – AKA a ‘mermaid birth’ occurring in fewer than 1 in 80,000 births!
Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one.
What an incredible flashback! The family’s eleventh child was born via vaginal birth after an emergency cesarean, arriving at home and in a womb.
En caul. A unique and breathtaking occurrence. You can see the baby’s sac billowing around her face.
En caul birth! How to lose 11lb in just 4 hours!
