Until about ten weeks of pregnancy, it is normal for the bowel (intestines) to be outside of the baby’s belly. After 10 weeks they should be inside the belly. An omphalocele happens when the bowel, liver and sometimes other organs remain outside the belly in a sac.
Since some or all of the belly organs are outside of the body, they may be injured and the belly does not grow to its normal size. The belly may be too small to hold all of the organs.
At birth, your baby’s belly will look like there is clear sac filled with liquid. You may be able to see through the sac and see the bowel or other organs. Your baby’s umbilical cord will be on top of the sac.
