Parturition

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Parturition
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Parturition

• What is it?
• The process of giving birth

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Signs of Parturition

• Distended (swollen) udder
• Fluid from udder changes from a watery solution
  to the thick, milky colostrum
• Muscles in the rear begin to shrink and fall away
• enlargement swelling of the vulva
• Nervous uneasy behavior
• Muscular contractions as labor begins

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Presentation of the Fetus

• The first water bag appears on the outside,
  increasing in size until it ruptures due to its
  own weight.
• Immediately after the first water bag, the
  amniotic bladder (the second water bag) follows,
  containing the fetus.
• The amniotic bladder ruptures, straining on the
  female becomes more pronounced and presentation
  of the fetus soon follows.

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Normal Presentation

• The most common presentation is as follows
• front feet first, followed by the nose resting on
  them
• Shoulders
• Middle
• Hips
• Hind feet and legs
• If presentation is normal within 1-2 hours
  after the first signs of labor, no assistance is
  necessary.

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Abnormal Presentation

• Anterior Presentations
• Hind feet in pelvis
• Both forelegs bent at the knees
• Head upward backward
• One foreleg bent at knee

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Abnormal Presentations

• Buttock Presentation
• Back Presentation

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Abnormal Presentation

• What should be done to assist if problems occur?

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Post-Partum Care

• Make sure offspring has received colostrum
• What is Colostrum
• First milk containing antibodies
• Dry off offspring if the mother hasnt after
  about 30 minutes
• Dip umbilical cord/navel in iodine to prevent
  infection

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Newborn Calf

• A vigorous calf will attempt to stand in about 15
  minutes and will usually be nursing within 30 -
  60 minutes.
• Human assistance is sometimes necessary to get a
  calf to begin nursing. The weaker the calf, the
  longer it takes for it to begin nursing.
• Clean newborn animals using appropriate
  resources, to ensure that they are dry. Gently
  remove all mucus and foreign matter from the
  mouth and nasal passage.

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The Afterbirth

• Three to six hours after parturition the placenta
  is expelled.
• The placenta is commonly known as the afterbirth.
• If the placenta remains in the cow for more than
  24 hours, it must be removed manually.

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Supplies

• Obstetrical Chains
• Calf Puller
• Plastic Gloves
• Disinfectant
• Vaseline
• Navel Cord Clamp
• Iodine