All newborns are miracles in their own way, but one baby born in his amniotic sac had doctors and others marveling at the awe-inspiring sight of life inside the womb. Born prematurely at 26 weeks via C-section at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the infant was such a medical rarity, it inspired neonatologist William Binder to snap a photo on his cellphone before puncturing the sac and ushering this baby into the world.
The mom, Chelsea Phillips, wasn't aware that her first-born had made waves in the delivery room until the doctor shared the photo. The baby, now 10 weeks old, is doing well and will likely head home in a month.
More from The Stir: Image of Baby Born in Amniotic Sac Gives Us an Awesome Look at the Miracle of Birth
The amniotic sac, of course, is the membrane surrounding a fetus in the womb. It usually breaks during labor, but on the rare occasions it doesn't, it gives us a startlingly clear glimpse of what a baby's life is really like in there.
All I can say is it looks cramped! Those curled up legs, those hands pressed on the sides, it makes me want to break that baby out of there so he can stretch his legs. That said, it does also look warm, dark, and cozy … and given babies rarely seem all that happy in those first few minutes they're out, the womb must clearly be a comforting place. After all, for nine months, it's been home — and I think it's pretty amazing to have the opportunity to see this "home" for ourselves.
What's the most awe-inspiring birth photo you've ever seen?
Image via Cedar Sinai Medical Center
