Womb veil

A womb veil, also known as being born "en caul," refers to the rare occurrence of a baby being born with a portion or the entirety of the amniotic sac still intact. The amniotic sac is a membrane-lined bag filled with fluid that surrounds and protects the developing fetus during pregnancy. Typically, the sac ruptures during labor, a phenomenon commonly referred to as "water breaking."

When a baby is born en caul, they are delivered within this unruptured or partially ruptured sac. The sac appears as a thin, translucent membrane enveloping the newborn. The appearance can be described as a glistening, fluid-filled bubble.

Womb veil births are generally considered harmless to the baby and are not an indication of any medical condition. In most cases, the obstetrician or midwife will gently rupture the sac after the baby is born.

Historically and in some cultures, being born en caul has been associated with good fortune, special abilities, or a charmed life. These beliefs vary widely depending on cultural traditions and folklore. The caul itself was sometimes preserved as a talisman or protective charm.

While relatively uncommon, womb veil births are more frequently observed in premature deliveries and Cesarean sections. The exact reason for this higher incidence in these circumstances is not fully understood.

From a medical perspective, the occurrence is simply a variation in the normal process of labor and delivery where the amniotic sac does not rupture spontaneously before birth.