<P> A caul or cowl (Latin: Caput galeatum, literally, "helmeted head") is a piece of membrane that can cover a newborn's head and face . Birth with a caul is rare, occurring in fewer than 1 in 80,000 births . The caul is harmless and is immediately removed by the physician or midwife upon delivery of the child . </P> <P> The "en - caul" birth, not to be confused with the "caul" birth, occurs when the infant is born inside the entire amniotic sac . The sac balloons out at birth, with the amniotic fluid and child remaining inside the unbroken or partially broken membrane . </P>

When a baby is born with a veil