Eutocia and Dystocia

Question 1

What are 5 major prepartum changes?

Answer 1

Udder edema and milk production
Relaxation of pelvic ligaments
Elongation and softening of the vulva
Dilation and opening of the cervix
Melting of the cervical plug

Question 2

What does the term “springers” refer to?

Answer 2

Relaxation of the pelvic ligaments makes the animals a bit more “bouncy” in the back end.

Question 3

What does the term “waxing” refer to?

Answer 3

Udder edema and milk production.

Question 4

What is the main signal for parturition?

Answer 4

Fetal stress causing release of fetal cortisol

Question 5

What uterine activity do we see during parturition?

Answer 5

Upregulation of oxytocin receptors.

Question 6

What are the 3 stages of Eutocia?

Answer 6

Initiation of myometrial contractions
Expulsion of the fetus
Expulsion of fetal membranes

Question 7

What stage of eutocia do we worry about most in horses?

Answer 7

Stage 3, expulsion of fetal membranes

Question 8

What initiates stage 1 of parturition?

Answer 8

The fetus

Question 9

What is the duration of stage 1 of parturition?

Answer 9

1-6 hours

Question 10

What happens during stage 1 of parturition?

Answer 10

Cervix dilates

Question 11

During what stage of parturition does colostrum/milk become available in the teats?

Answer 11

Stage 1

Question 12

What does “dropping” mean?

Answer 12

Availability of colostrum/milk in the teats

Question 13

During what stage of parturition does rotation of the fetus occur?

Answer 13

Stage 1

Question 14

Where do contractions start during phase 1 of parturition?

Answer 14

Behind the most distal fetus.

Question 15

What happens during state 2 of parturition?

Answer 15

The fetus is delivered.

Question 16

How long does stage 2 of parturition typically take?

Answer 16

30-60 minutes

NOTE: Heifers may be up to 4 hours
NOTE: Multiparous species may be shorter

Question 17

What is the Ferguson’s reflex?

Answer 17

Really strong contractions

Question 18

What membrane ruptures during stage 1 of parturition?

Answer 18

Chorioallantoic membrane (“water”)

Question 19

What membrane ruptures during stage 2 of parturition?

Answer 19

Amnion. Helps provide some lubrication.

Question 20

What initiates the Ferguson’s reflex?

Answer 20

Wedging of the fetus into the cervical canal

Question 21

What occurs during stage 3 of parturition?

Answer 21

Expulsion of fetal membranes

Question 22

In what species is a retained placenta very important to correct?

Answer 22

Equine

Question 23

What is the general rule of thumb for parturition duration?

Answer 23

1 hr for birth
2 hr for standing
3 hr for sucking

Question 24

What does eutocia mean?

Answer 24

Normal delivery

Question 25

What are the 3 P’s of eutocia?

Answer 25

Presentation
Position
Posture

Question 26

What does presentation refer to?

Answer 26

Spinal axis of the fetus to that of the dam and the portion of the fetus that is entering the birth canal.

EG: longitudinal (cranial or caudal) vs. transverse (ventral or dorsal)

Question 27

What does position refer to?

Answer 27

Anatomic relationship of the dorsum of the fetus relative to the maternal pelvis.

EG. dosro-sacral/dorso-pubic/dorso-ilial

Question 28

What does posture refer to?

Answer 28

Anatomic relationship of the fetal extremities to its own body.

EG: describing the limbs coming at you… flexed, extended, retained

Question 29

What is dystocia?

Answer 29

Abnormal or abnormally difficult birth

Question 30

What species is at most risk of dystocia?

Answer 30

Cattle

Question 31

What species is at the least risk of dystocia?

Answer 31

Cats

Question 32

What kind of damage can horses do during labor?

Answer 32

They can push with so much force that they can rupture their uterus.

Question 33

What are 3 maternal causes of dystocia?

Answer 33

Primary uterine inertia
Secondary uterine inertia
Abnormalities of the birth canal

Question 34

What is primary uterine inertia?

Answer 34

Contractions are not happening for some reason.

Question 35

What is secondary uterine inertia?

Answer 35

Depleted energy and can’t push anymore

Question 36

What are 3 fetal causes of dystocia?

Answer 36

Abnormal presentation, position and posture
Fetal monsters
Fetal oversize (babies are just too big, shouldn’t have bred that dam and sire together so more the producer’s fault)

Question 37

In what breed is it common to see fetopelvic dysproportion resulting in 100% C-sections?

Answer 37

Belgian blue

Question 38

In what 2 ways can insufficient nutrition cause dystocia?

Answer 38

Insufficient maternal growth

Insufficient or imbalanced rations (eg. hypocalcemia) lead to uterine inertia

Question 39

In what 2 ways can excessive nutrition cause dystocia?

Answer 39

Obesity may impede the passage of a fetus trough the pelvis

Abnormally rapid fetal growth

Question 40

What are 3 other causes of dystocia?

Answer 40

Management
Infectious conditions
Traumatic conditions

Question 41

What are 3 ways management can cause dystocia?

Answer 41

Stress
Insufficient age at breeding, growth or both
Restricted exercise leading to uterine inertia

Question 42

How can infectious conditions cause dystocia?

Answer 42

Infections may be tocolytic (anti-contraction) or infections of the fetus may cause weakness or death predispose to postural abnormalities.

Question 43

What are 4 traumatic conditions that can cause dystocia?

Answer 43

Torsions
Herniations
Ruptures
Pelvic fractures