Little Silas Phillips was born three months early via Caesarean section, but shocked attending doctors when they discovered him still inside his amniotic sac, curled up with his placenta and umbilical cord.
Usually the sac, in which the baby develops and grows, breaks on its own during birth, or will be cut through by doctors during the Caesarean section process.
Indeed, the chance of the amniotic sac remaining intact after the baby’s birth is said to be ‘ultra rare’.
Despite being born at just 26 weeks, little Silas has thrived, with doctors expecting him to be able to go home within the next month.
Commenting on the unusual circumstances of Silas’ birth, Dr William Binder told the media: “Even though it sounds clichéd, we caught our breath. It really felt like a moment of awe…and one that will stick in my mind for some time.”
Silas’ mum added: “It was actually really cool to see. And when I heard that was actually really rare, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh you’re a special little baby.’”
While it is incredibly rare, this is not the first time in recent years that we have heard of a baby being born in these circumstances. A doctor in Athens also delivered a baby via Caesarean section who was inside a fully intact amniotic sac.
We're delighted to hear that Silas is doing well.
