Assisted Parturition

Question 1

What are the stages of normal parturition?

Answer 1

Stage 1: Onset of uterine contractions/dilation of the cervix
- Time is variable within/between species (longer in primiparous)
- Signs: restless, uneasy, isolation, pawing the ground
- Foetal movement and allantochorion is forced through canal (water bag rupture at end of stage 1)

Stage 2: Delivery of the foetus
- Rupture of allantochorion (water bag) indicates start of stage 2
- Expulsion of foetus through uterine and abdominal contractions
- Lamb should be put within 1 hour after water bag appears
- Twins usually delivered within 30 mins of each other

Stage 3: Expulsion of placenta
- Placenta expelled through action of uterine contractions
- Placenta retention = serious consequences (must check for this)
- Polytocous species (pig, cat, dog) - placenta expelled with or just after each foetus
- With one or two offspring (cattle, sheep, horse), placenta expelled within three hours of birth

Question 2

When is it appropriate to intervene?

Answer 2

• Farmer has tried and failed to deliver foetus
• Foetus abnormally positioned
• If no progress 30-60 minutes after rupture of foetal membranes (intervene sooner in horses)
• Polytocous species - more than 30 minutes has elapsed between offspring
• If abnormal discharge
• If prolapse occurs

Question 3

What should you do if you cannot deliver the lambs?

Answer 3

Do not keep struggling - this could lead to further damage

Call the vet (urgently) - medication and/or C section may be needed

Question 4

What postpartum care is required?

Answer 4

• Ensure the lamb has a clear airway and is breathing
• Allow the ewe to smell her lamb as soon as possible
• Check for more lambs
• Check the ewe for any damage
• Check the ewe has milk, and that milk let down is occurring
• Treat umbilical cord of the lamb
• Ensure the lamb feeds

Question 5

What basic PPE is required for assisted parturition?

Answer 5

• Waterproof tops/bottom
• Rectal gloves and regular gloves
• Clean water and soap (for hands and perineal area of the ewe)

*In absence of gloves, ensure you wash your hands before and after handling any ewes

Question 6

What should be included in the lambing kit?

Answer 6

-> PPE

-> Lubricant:
-must be used in every case
-especially important if lamb is dead or parturition has been prolonged and foetal fluids have been lost

-> Lambing ropes:
- should be placed on both forelimbs if lamb is coming forwards
- must be placed above fetloc joint

-> Lambing snare:
- allows control of the head
- alternatively a third lambing rope can be used

Question 7

What are potential complications is stage 1 of parturition?

Answer 7

Incomplete dilation of the cervix (ring womb)
- due to malpresentation or hypocalcaemia

Question 8

What are potential complications in stage 2 of parturition?

Answer 8

Asphyxiation of the lambs due to lack of/incomplete rupture of the amniotic sac

Malpresentation

Question 9

What are potential complications in stage 3 of parturition?

Answer 9

Retained foetal membranes
- commonly secondary to hypocalcaemia or selenium deficiency

Question 10

What should you check before intervening?

Answer 10

1. Do you need to intervene?
   - if cervix is not fully dilated you can cause substantial damage to the ewe
   - is there malpresentation? May be a head back, leg back, more than one lamb trying to come at once etc.
   - are there any physical barriers e.g. ringwomb, anatomical abnormalities of dam/foetus
2. Is the lamb …
   - alive?
   - dead?
   - stuck?
   - coming forwards or backwards?
   - alone or with friends?
3. Is the dam …
   - (un)well?
   - damaged?
   * Check dam before you start assisting and again at the end

Question 11

What are the three Ps?

Answer 11

Presentation
Position
Posture

Question 12

What is meant by ‘presentation’ ?

Answer 12

Describe the direction the lamb is coming in;

Longitudinal:
Anterior presentation = forelimbs first
- soles of hooves facing downwards and limb joints bend the same way

Posterior presentation = hindlimbs first
- soles of hooves facing upwards and limb joints bend in opposite ways
- must be delivered rapidly - high risk of asphyxiation & more likely to be damaged during delivery

Transverse: lamb is lying across the pelvis rather than within it

Question 13

What is meant by ‘position’ ?

Answer 13

Describes the position of the foetal spine in relation to the maternal birth canal

Dorsal = foetal spine to maternal spine

Ventral = foetal spine to maternal belly

Lateral = foetal spine to the dam’s side

Question 14

What is meant by ‘posture’ ?

Answer 14

Describe the position of the head and limbs
- are the head and limbs flexed or extended?