Breathtaking images show the beautiful moment a baby girl is born via caesarean section with the amniotic sac still intact.
The one-in-80,000 event, called a veiled birth but also known as a 'mermaid' or 'en caul' birth, is when the baby comes out still inside the intact amniotic sac, which usually ruptures when the expectant mother goes into labour.
Doctors successfully delivered the twins at a hospital in the city of Vinaros, in the province of Castellon, in Spain's eastern Valencia region, on Wednesday.
Gynaecologist and obstetrician Ana Teijelo, who was in charge of the medical team that carried out the C-section, made sure the magical moment went smoothly.
Teijelo said: "Today at the hospital of Vinaros we had a veiled caesarean section (2nd twin) and here you can see the enthusiasm of the participants."
She added: "Because there are days that make us remember why we're in this. I share it with permission, of course."
The amniotic sac is a thin, fluid-filled sac that surrounds the foetus during pregnancy and helps to protect it from injury and to regulate temperature so it can stay warm.
When the amniotic sac ruptures, this is what is commonly known as your "waters breaking".
En caul births are more common during C-sections, but they can also occur in vaginal births. And a slight majority of twin births are carried out via C-section.
Teijelo added: "Beautiful photos, don't you think? The first veiled caesarean section I've seen and I loved it, and I'm not telling the students anything (although I admit that I'm the one screaming).
"It happens about once every 80,000 deliveries and today our students have had a 10-out-of-10 day.
"The twins when they were born were extremely well.
"All the staff enjoyed the delivery: midwives, gynaecologists, paediatricians, anaesthesiologists, nurses, nurse technicians, caretakers, students and, of course, the mother. And here are the protagonists, small and large.
"And to leave a memory of this moment, our staff have made a painting for the mother by printing the placentas and it looks beautiful, really. Being good professionals is not at odds with being empathetic (don't be scared when you hear the word placenta, really).
"So to all future doctors, medical students...remember: in all hospitals you can learn a lot. The most important thing is to never lose enthusiasm. A day like today compensates for many others. I will never tire of looking at these photos."
