I got the call that Pooh Bear was in labor towards the end of my Organic Chemistry lab. I made it to the barn as quickly as I could. Once I was there we had to wait for Pooh to push the baby out. Only the baby’s large feet were sticking out, and no progress was being made. So we had to use the chains to help the baby make it out. The chains are placed carefully so it does not hurt the baby or the mother at all. Lizz put the chains on the baby’s legs and had Chelsie and I pull down and out. We just had to twist him around a little so there was enough space for his hips to get past Pooh’s pelvis. It didn’t take long for him to come out after that.
Once he was on the ground, Chelsie, Meaghan, and I used towels to dry the baby off. It was a boy, and his name had to start with the same first letter as his mother’s. We all decided on Preston. He needed his navel dipped with iodine, and fresh bedding for his little pen. Mama Pooh Bear needed a few shots and a large calcium pill. Both mother and baby are doing well, and are happy and healthy! The whole experience was very exciting and one of the most awesome things I have been a part of.
BEFORE SCROLLING FURTHER...
Obstetrics with cows is actually very similar to with people. Mammals tend to handle birth similarly, just some of us (cows) are bigger than others of us (people). Ideally, when a cow goes into labor, we watch her very closely for a number of things. After she is fully dilated, the calf moves into the birth canal, and the magic that's happening inside becomes visible. At this point there are many things that can happen.
Ideally, Mother will deliver the calf independently. We observe her labor and witness the unique miracle of life, then we care for her and the new kiddo once everyone is stabilized and ready for the next step.
SOMETIMES, Mother can't deliver her baby independently. There are all kinds of reasons for this, but usually its something along the lines of the kid not cooperating (legs not lined up, coming out backward, etc.) or the baby is too big. In nature when this happens, there are not many good options. Without help, she and her calf could die.
Luckily, at Witter, we have seen plenty of these Mommas too, and know when and how to help (hence the close observation during labor). With appropriate and timely intervention, an assisted birth can turn out just fine for everyone, and be a great opportunity for students to boot.
Calves that need help coming out usually are pulled with obstetric chains. You will see them below. These are very safe when used correctly. Calves are usually 80 pounds or so on average at birth, and are slimy and hard to grasp hold of. The chains make a world of difference in our ability to adjust the calf's position and in being able to get ahold of the little guy to do so too. Preston here, turned out to be 101 pounds at birth, hence why his poor Momma needed some help.
The ick you see hanging in the photos is the amniotic sac, nothing to be worried about, and will be expelled when PoohBear passes her placenta.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I am happy to help and explain!
In the end what matters is having a healthy happy baby out of a healthy happy mom.