During a delivery in Brazil, a baby came out without breaking its amniotic sac. This phenomenon is known as caul birth.
- Amniotic fluid is a sterile liquid in which the fetus bathes throughout the duration of a pregnancy.
- In some cases, the twins each have their own amniotic sac.
Amniotic fluid has several roles: it helps protect the fetus from shocks and external noises and keeps it in an environment at body temperature. Before childbirth, the uterus contracts and the bag of waters breaks. Amniotic fluid drains and lubricates the genital tract to make it easier for the baby to pass through. This sterile fluid and the unborn child are contained in membranes called the amniotic sac.
Birth in caul: less than one childbirth in 80,000 would be concerned
On October 10, Naiara Santos, a woman pregnant with twins, underwent a caesarean section at the Evangelico Hospital in Ipora in the state of Goias (Brazil). During delivery, a very rare phenomenon occurred: one of the babies, Isabella, was still in her amniotic sac. This singular case is known as caul birth.
This type of birth concerns less than one childbirth in 80,000 reported the DailyMail. “It was very magical. Before we burst the bag, the baby was there, asleep, without needing to breathe. He was getting everything he needed through the umbilical cord. I did other births in caul, but it was the first time that the baby was breech. These births are rare”said Leandra Campos, the obstetrician-gynecologist who performed this delivery, to local media.
Incredibly rare moment baby girl is born INSIDE her amniotic sac in a one in 80,000 event https://t.co/BAN1snhuu4
— Daily Mail UK (@DailyMailUK) October 12, 2022
“The priority is to break the pouch to allow the baby to breathe”
A caul birth, however, presents risks for the infant. “The priority is to break the pouch to allow the baby to breathe, as he no longer has oxygen from his mother.” warned the specialist. Images showing Isabella in her amniotic sac have been shared by the hospital. Snaps showing Naira Santos and her two daughters wearing little pink beanies were also released.