The boy in a bubble: Fascinating images show a baby being born while still INSIDE an intact amniotic sac in rare 1 in 100,000 case (5 Pics)

These impressive images show a baby boy who was born while still inside his amniotic sac after it failed to burst in an almost one-in-100,000 rare occurrence.

The startling images were taken at the Praia da Costa Hospital in the city of Vila Velha in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo by photographer Jana Brasil, who specialises in photos of births.

In the photos, the newborn baby, named Noah by mother Monyck Valasco, can still be seen inside the amniotic sac after he is born by caesarean section.

Noah's whole body is engulfed by the sac giving him a startling, alien-like appearance.

Experts say the special births occur in every 80,000 or 100,000 natural births and do not put the baby or mother at risk. 

They are believed to be less common during caesarean section because the scalpel typically punctures the amniotic sac. 

Rare: The newborn baby, named Noah by mother Monyck Valasco, can still be seen inside the amniotic sac after he is born at the Praia da Costa Hospital in the city of Vila Velha, Brazil

Unusual labour: The amniotic sac fails to burst in a one-in-100,000 rare occurrence

Shock: Noah's whole body is engulfed by the sac giving him a startling, alien-like appearance

The photos have been posted online and garnered thousands of likes and comments.

Mother Valasco, 34, told reporters: 'People all around the world are reposting the photos and looking for us. I saw him being born. They lowered the screen so I could see. I cried a lot. It's an emotion that has no size.'

Brasil dedicated herself to photographing births as a full-time job three years ago and said: 'It's indescribable to register that moment. Last year I took photos of babies in the sacs, I have two awards. 

'But nothing like the photo of Noah, it surprised me. I thought I had been through all the emotions, but he pulled a face and did a little pout.'

Recovery: The child is reportedly still in hospital as Baggieri says the newborn was 'tired' after the birth but the tot is expected to be allowed to go home by the end of the week

Gynaecologist Rafael Angelo Baggieri said: 'An en-caul birth occurs when the baby is born without breaking the amniotic sac, in other words, within a little house which shelters it during gestation.'

Baggieri says the special births occur in every 80,000 or 100,000 natural births and do not put the baby or mother at risk. They are believed to be less common during caesarean section because the scalpel typically punctures the amniotic sac. 

Noah is reportedly still in hospital as Baggieri says the newborn was 'tired' after the birth but the tot is expected to be allowed to go home by the end of the week.

WHAT IS AN EN CAUL BIRTH? 

Being born 'en caul' means a portion of the amniotic sac or membrane remains on the baby's head at birth.

It affects less than one-in-100,000 newborns.

A caul is a thin, filmy membrane that may be attached to the head, face and ears or could drape over the head and cover part of the torso.

The caul is harmless and can be removed by healthcare professionals by peeling it back from the skin.

Incisions must be made at the nostrils to allow the baby to breathe.

The loops can then be carefully removed from behind the baby's ears.

In folklore, children born en caul are said to possess supernatural abilities and be destined for greatness.