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Giving birth is a very extraordinary experience, some people even call it a miracle. But did you know that there is a baby birth process that is more unique than what you usually encounter? Yes, the condition called en caul birth is the moment when the baby comes out covered in an intact amniotic sac ( caul ).
Reported by Healthline , this rare beauty only occurs in less than 1 in 80,000 births. In Indonesia, this phenomenon is often referred to as the ‘wrapped baby’ phenomenon. Even though it is rare, this birth phenomenon is normal, you know.
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What causes an en caul birth ?
An en caul birth , sometimes referred to as a disguised birth, occurs when the fetus is born still within the completely intact amniotic sac.
This birth is less common with vaginal births, and more common when a woman gives birth by caesarean section.
The reason is because during normal delivery, the amniotic sac usually ruptures or is ruptured first through induction. Meanwhile, in a caesarean section, doctors usually do not break the amniotic sac to remove the baby.
What is the difference between a caul birth and an en caul birth ?
A caul birth is not the same as an en caul birth . A caul birth occurs when a small piece of membrane or sac covers the baby’s head or face or both.
Sometimes the pieces are large enough to drape over the baby’s shoulders and chest. So it’s not like an en caul birth , where the baby is completely encased in a sac. Caul is also more common than en caul .
What happens after the ‘baby is born wrapped’?
If the baby is born en caul , the health care provider will gently cut the sac to open it. This action is almost similar to when you open a bag or balloon filled with water.
Water then begins to flow out of the sac, then the sac shrinks slightly around the baby. Sometimes a wriggling baby will open en caul right after birth. This incident could be said to be as if the baby was ‘hatching’.
E n caul is not much different from any other birth. If you give birth naturally, the main difference is that you will not feel your water breaking.
Benefits of en caul birth
Reported by Very Well Health , here are some of the benefits of ‘wrapped birth’:
Safe for high-risk fetuses
In some cases, these births can provide protection for fetuses considered high risk.
This is because the amniotic sac can provide support for the unborn fetus and protect it from pressure during labor. This condition can also protect the fetus from bruising during contractions.
For very premature fetuses, en caul cesarean delivery can protect the fetus from pressure-related trauma during labor.
Umbilical cord prolapse protection
Prolapse is when the umbilical cord enters the cervix in front of or below the fetus, and can then be pressed by the fetus. This is considered an emergency situation for the fetus.
A normal en caul delivery is said to reduce the risk of the fetus’ head getting stuck if the cervix is not dilated enough.
Possible complications that occur
Most of these births occur in premature births and when a person has a low number of pregnancies. Some possible complications after an en caul birth include:
- Respiratory disorders
- Sepsis
- Bleeding
- En caul caesarean section can also cause neonatal anemia
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Is this labor process safe to ‘request’ during a caesarean section?
There is no real evidence that having an en caul birth is better than a normal birth. So, it’s not something you need to ask for or try.
Moreover, en caul can be complicated. If the sac ruptures during labor, things can get slippery and difficult to handle. So this is something that needs to be discussed with the medical team in depth first.
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