1. Parturition Topic # 2035
Ashlee Gibson

2. What is Parturition?
Act of process of giving birth

3. Parturition Names in Species
Cattle: Calving
Sheep: Lambing
Swine: Farrowing
Horses: Foaling

4. Signs of Approaching Parturition
Distended abdomen
Mammary development & milk secretion
Swollen vulva and relaxed pelvic ligaments
Mucous discharge
Relentlessness and separation from group
Labor and Contractions

5. Signs of Parturition in Cattle
One week - mammary glands fill with milk, tailhead ligaments relax, and you will see a waxing of teats.
12-24 hours - frequent defecation and urination, anorexia, looking for young, makes a nest or seeks out an isolated area.

6. Signs of Parturition in Sheep
Ten days before lambing the ewes teats become firm and full of milk, her vulva slackens and becomes slightly swollen.
Closer to lambing, the ewe's cervical seal passes from the vulva as a thick, creamy, white mucus.
In the final stages prior to lambing, the ewe becomes anxious and uneasy and continually switches from a reclining to a standing position.

7. Signs of Parturition in Horses
Two to six weeks before foaling the mares udder will swell.
Seven to ten days prior to foaling the muscles over the buttocks appear to shrink and the abdomen drops.
At four to six days before foaling the teats fill with milk.
Twelve to 24 hours before foaling wax appears on the end of the nipples.

8. Stages of Parturition Stage 1- Preparatory Stage
Stage 2- Birthing Process
Stage 3- Placenta Expulsion

9. Stage 1- preparatory stage
Characterized by dilation of the cervix.
Rhythmic contractions of the uterus.
At the end of this stage, the cervix expands, allowing the uterus and vagina to become a continuous canal.

10. Stage 2- Birthing Process
Increase in contractions with abdominal pressing.
The placenta, along with the head and forelegs, are forced into the vagina (birth canal).
Presentation is forelegs first with the nose resting on the forelegs.
Anterior “head first”
In swine, piglets may be born anteriorly or posteriorly

11. Stage 3- Placenta Expulsion
Associated with uterine contractions
Normally expelled within 12 hours
Placenta of each species should be expelled within the following time periods
Mare- one hour
Cow and ewe- 8to 24 hours
Sow – normally attached to fetus at birth

12. Types of Placentas
Cotyledonary
Cow & Ewe
Diffuse
Mare & Sow

13. Dystocia: Difficulty during Parturition
Fetal dystocia problems
Over-sized fetus
Multiple birth complications
Breech presentation - With sheep, cattle, and horses, the fetus is presented posteriorly.
Deviations in normal presentation - For example, one leg may be pushed back or the head may be turned.

14. Dystocia Maternal dystocia problems
Narrowing of the birth canal due to fractures of the pelvis.
Uterine torsion reducing the size of the birth canal.
The cervix may fail to dilate.
Absence of uterine contractions