This baby was born with a ‘lucky caul’ one minute before the eclipse

Ali Gonzalez was born at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell one minute before the solar eclipse began Monday.

She wasn’t just born as the United States experienced a rare solar event. She also entered the world with a rare “caul” — the amniotic sac still covering her head and face.

One in 80,000 babies are born with a caul, according to West Valley.

The caul is harmless and is immediately removed after birth. Also called a “veil,” it has been given superstitious meaning or regarded as a talisman.

“She is very special,” mother Elena Garcia said of the newborn six-pound Ali.

The baby is Garcia’s fourth child.

The hospital gave Garcia and Ali’s father Zechiel Gonzalez a gift basket that included eclipse glasses and moon- and star-themed baby items.

At least one other local baby was born during Monday’s eclipse.

Shantel Harritt gave birth to Allison Rae Harritt at the St. Luke’s hospital in Meridian at 11:21 a.m., just before totality.

This story was originally published August 21, 2017 at 2:29 PM with the headline "This baby was born with a ‘lucky caul’ one minute before the eclipse."