The baby is born still wrapped in the amniotic sac, which is an en caul birth. How come?

In general, the amniotic sac will burst before the baby leaves the uterus. There are also cases of membranes that break prematurely before delivery. Same is the case with giving birth to a cesarean The doctor will tear the amniotic lining with a scalpel to remove the baby.

But in a handful of cases, the baby can be born into the world still wrapped intact in the amniotic sac complete with amniotic fluid. This rare birth is called en caul . In fact, it is so rare that many obstetricians have never witnessed birth at all en caul with his own eyes throughout his career.

What is an en caul birth?

The amniotic sac is a thin elastic sac that wraps the baby in the uterus. This sac contains the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid. The amniotic sac functions to protect the baby from impact trauma as long as he is still in the womb until the second of labor. Usually, this sac will burst and the fluid will drain out to allow the baby to pass.

Interestingly, some lucky babies can be born in the amniotic sac. This is called birth caul , which means "helmet" in Latin. There are two types caul, that is caul and en caul . Birth caul occurs when the amniotic sac is only partially ruptured, causing the remaining intact to wrap around the baby's head and face, making it look like he is wearing a glass helmet. Another "variation" of birth caul is the amniotic sac that wraps the baby from the head of the baby's head to the chest, while the stomach to the toes of the baby is free.

Caul birth, the amniotic sac covers the baby's head like a helmet (source: babymed)

Birth caul itself is rare enough, but birth en caul it turns out even rarer In 1 in 80,000 births, a baby can be born into the world completely wrapped in a full, flawless amniotic sac - like being trapped in a clear cocoon.

Birth en caul, the baby is wrapped intact in the amniotic "cocoon" (source: popsugar)

Although classified as very rare, birth en caul most likely to occur in preterm labor. This is because the very small size of the baby can keep the amniotic sac intact. A 2010 study found that in the case of very premature babies, birth was random en caul can protect them from pressure trauma in the uterus.

Napoleon, Sigmund Freud, Charlemagne and David Copperfield are some of the important figures in world history who were born through birth caul .

What causes this condition?

The birth of a caul, whether partially (caul) or intact, like a cocoon (en caul), is a very rare phenomenon. In fact, it is so rare that many obstetricians may not or have never witnessed birth at all en caul with his own eyes throughout the history of his career. Therefore, it remains a mystery as to what causes these rare births.

Is an en caul birth dangerous for the baby?

Reporting from What to Expect, "Caul birth, regardless of type, is absolutely safe," said dr. Susan Benson, one of the lucky obstetricians who witnessed 3 births caul throughout the 12 years of his career. Babies are not at high risk for complications arising from birth caul as well as en caul . Most babies born in this condition are born in good health, unless they have problems that preceded them since pregnancy.

While still in the mother's womb, the baby continues to receive nutrients and oxygen through the umbilical cord, and he also inhales the amniotic fluid that surrounds him in the sac. This process will still be carried out by the baby even if he has been born into the world but is still trapped in the intact amniotic sac. But of course your team of doctors will not allow the baby to linger in this condition to allow him to breathe.

How is the process of removing the baby from the intact amniotic sac?

If the doctor or midwife finds that your baby is still born in the amniotic sac, she will immediately make an incision above the baby's nostrils so that she can take a breath for the first time. After the incision is made, the fluid will be drained and the doctor will peel off the “skin” of the amniotic sac starting from the face and ears, the most vital and complex areas, then the rest of the body.

The doctor may also rub the lining of the amniotic sac with a thin sheet of paper, which will then be peeled off the skin like a temporary tattoo sticker. However, the “broken” amniotic sac will stick to the baby's skin. Then the peeling process will be very slow and extra careful. Otherwise, the skin layer of the amniotic sac that sticks tightly to the skin may cause permanent scarring once you pull it tight.

After successfully removing the amniotic sac, the doctor will continue the labor process as usual, namely cutting the umbilical cord, suctioning the mucus out of the baby's nose and mouth, and cleaning the body from blood and mucus.

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