h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Interesting stuff about cauls. The amniotic sack is in fact two membranes closely adhered to each other and are continuous with the placenta. Just to update you, babies are not routinely cleaned after birth anymore

hi im only new to this site but i was just looking up stuff on cauls. And my mother told me i was born with a caul as well. There's an old wives tale that is something along the lines that a baby born with a caul will never die drowning. Well personally i think it's true cause i know your gonna laugh but i sorta ahhh fell into the washing machine when i was about 1 and a half. And yes it was full of water. And i never died by drowning. So i do believe in that wives tale. I am tellin the truth here lol. So yeah...i just thought i would tell you my little story

thanks
ally

Always nice to meet a newbie. I'm a midwife and there's an awful lot of old wives tales surrounding childbirth. You're right about the not-drowning tale. Sailor's used to pay women for the caul, dry it, and wear it in a locket to protect themselves from drowning.
Glad to hear that you lived to tell the tale.
Very few babies are born in the caul these days because the waters are frequently broken by hospital midwives, trying to hurry the labour process

I was researching the myths behind cauls because our daughter, born last week, was referred to as being born "en caul" though it sounds slightly different than your experience. The doctors had every intention of rupturing my wife's water but couldn't do it safely. Instead our daughter was born with the bag completely intact, at least until she was had been delivered all the way out to her knees. The physician was very surprised that the bag had stayed intact and kept stating, "You have a very special little girl here." as a parent you think, "Of course she's special " but we didn't understand what she was speaking of until trying to find out what this whole caul thing was. Needless to say we are now facinated with what we have read and are anxious to follow our daughter's growth to see if any of the myths begin to show themselvs (hopefully not the one about being a vampire/warewolf). Anything else we should be aware of?

I am so glad that I found this site!!! My daughter was also born "under the veil" in 2000. Whenever I would mention how I delivered her, sac in tact, people told me things that frightened and delighted me all at once. Who doesn't want to hear that their child will be gifted or possess supernatural advantages, however, who wants to hear that their child is destined to be some kind of freak? Never the less, the proof is in the pudding and thus far she is absolutely amazing!

She is intelligent, creative, compassionate, perceptive, and articulate. At times I forget that she is only 6 years old. People of all ages are often fascinated by her presence-truly a gift to behold. It has definitely been a blessing to watch my uniquely special creation develop. Especially since she is minus the extra hair or cravings for plasma at this point *laughing, but only half kidding*.

I wish you the best with your unique creation as well. Be sure to record her activities, for if there is any connection between the veil and her abilities, you are in for some astonishing and note worthy events. By the way, not to play into the superstitions, but she is an excellent swimmer.
Happy parenting!!!