In her six years as a professional birth photographer and doula, Robin Baker has been to many home births. So she was well-prepared to document the home birth of these twins.
But she ended up snapping one of the rarest birthing phenomenons: the first twin’s birth was normal enough, but the second baby was born still inside the amniotic sac!
Babies born this way are called ‘caulbearers’, and while it might seem like something to worry about, it’s actually completely safe. Indeed, legend has it that being born ‘en caul’ means you’re destined for greatness!
The California-based photographer said that the parents were incredibly calm despite the fact they were essentially on their own until the medical team arrived.
“These parents are experienced home birthers as they had their first child at home,” she told Buzzfeed.
“They had 30 minutes of bonding time with Baby A before Baby B made his way into his father’s hands still en-caul.”
“We didn’t know the baby would deliver completely en caul until he was crowning,” Robin said.
“Even then the sac can break…but Baby B’s stayed intact until mum reached down to puncture it with her fingernail.”
Incredible!
The photographer said that, unsurprisingly, all involved were “on cloud 9 when the birth team arrived to help deliver the placentas.”
She added: “Since so many twins are born in the operating room, this birth was very special!”
Robin was recently honoured with the ‘Best in Category: Delivery’ award from the International Association of Birth Photographers, and feels lucky to be able to do what she does.
“It’s truly an honour to take your passion and turn it into a career.”
This is a spectacular thing to witness. What a job!
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