The Visual Guide to
Bovine Reproduction
- Normal Calving
- Multiple Births
- Calving Facilities
- Pelvic Dimensions
- Calving Problems
- True Breech
- Sizing the Fetus
- Calving Injuries
- Cesarean Section
- Fetotomy
- Pelvic Splitting
- Episiotomy
Obstetrics: Normal Calving
Active Labor Begins.
Stage 2 of labor begins with rupture of the chorioallantoic membrane. This relieves some of the pressure and active labor pauses. As labor resumes the blueish amniotic sac appears. (Stage 1 is the stage of preparation, characterized by relaxation of the pelvic ligaments, distension of the teats, dilation of the cervix, and restless behavior.)
Utrecht (1976)
Foot Presented.
As the feet and the head are presented in the birth canal, stretching of the vaginal wall elicits the Ferguson reflex which consists of abdominal and uterine contractions.
Utrecht (1976)
Both Feet Presented.
Delivery of the head frequently requires the greatest effort. Recumbency is an advantage because the calf does not have to come up, against gravity, from the depths of the abdomen into the pelvic inlet. Vocalization during this process generally indicates pain.
Utrecht (1976)
Cord Still Attached.
The umbilical cord of the calf is relatively long. There is no need to ligate and / or cut the cord. It stretches naturally and the umbilical blood vessels break about 5 cm outside the body wall and retract into the stump.
Utrecht (1976)
Calf Delivered.
Once the calf has been delivered it should start breathing within 5 minutes.
Utrecht (1976)
Stimulating Respiration.
The cow generally licks the calf. Cutaneous stimulation by the rough tongue stimulates respiration. This effect can be imitated by rubbing the skin of the calf with a handful of straw. Dumping a pail of cold water on the head of the calf will elicit a gasping reflex which will aid in starting regular respirations.
Utrecht (1976)
Calf Scale.
Supplies for weighing newborn calves: spring loaded calf scale with harness rope. The yellow tape is for measuring the circumference of the chest, which correlates with the weight of the calf.
Donovan GA (2009)
Weighing Calves.
Newborn calf suspended from the scale with a rope harness to measure its birth weight.
Donovan GA (2009)
Two Water Bags.
Unusual appearance of two simultaneous water bags. No clinical significance. The darker blue-black bag on the right is the allantoic sac and contains allantoic fluid (fetal urine, in this case tinged by blood), and the amniotic sac on the left containing pale gray amniotic fluid. The amnion is contained within the allantois. The allantois ruptures first. It is likely that some allantoic fluid was trapped in a pocket of the allantoic membranes. [The bedding in the picture is recycled (news) paper, some of which clings to the bottom of the amniotic sac].
Blough E (2007)