A Herdman's Handbook for the Modern Homesteader

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[1] The mother exhibits signs of the first stage of labor for 12 to 24 hours without entering the second stage.

[2] A water bag appears and does not rupture within three or four hours.

[3] A water bag appears and ruptures, but no part of the calf is evident after three or four hours.

[4] The front feet and perhaps the nose are visible when the mother strains, but these parts disappear when she ceases straining.

[5] Only one foot and leg is exposed.

[6] The head and only one leg is exposed.

[7] Both legs are exposed past the knees but the nose is not apparent.

[8] Only the head, nose or tongue is seen.

[9] Only the tail is present.

[10] Two feet are visible but they appear to be upside-down. This indicates that the calf is coming hind-feet first. Delivery can be accomplished in this position but it must be fast or the calf will suffocate. It is estimated that this backwards presentation comprises approximately 5 percent of all normal births in cattle.

Items [1] through [4] in the above list can be caused either by a malpositioned calf or by a too-large calf. If one of these situations arises and you're not sure what stage of labor the cow is in, don't rush her. Watch her for an hour or so to see if she's making any progress at all. If she isn't, other steps (such as calling your veterinarian) will have to be taken. Bear in mind, though, that it's better to give the cow showing these signs plenty of time than to needlessly upset her and possibly cause her to go out of labor.

Items [5] to [9] inclusive indicate a malposition of the calf that will make normal delivery impossible. If you've noticed any of these signs, there's no advantage to be gained by waiting. Something must be done quickly to realign the calf so that delivery can be accomplished.

Unless you've had some experience with dystocias, I would suggest that you call your veterinarian at the first sign of a difficult birth. If you live in an area where a veterinarian is not available, you'll just have to do the best you can. In that case, you'll find the next installment in this series quite helpful because it will deal with the delivery of a too-large calf and a malpositioned calf.

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