Instructions
Assist only when absolutely necessary. Many times, birthing a cow requires no human intervention. If the mother or calf appears distressed, obtain professional help if you can. If you cannot find help in a dire situation, you must give calving assistance yourself.
Wash your hands and the cow's backside with soap and water. Put on a new pair of rubber gloves if you can. You must keep the area as sanitary as possible to prevent infection. If the cow is still standing, try to lead her to a manure-free area, or freshly cleaned stall.
Wait until the mother has entered the second stage of labor before assisting further. In this stage, she delivers the water bag and begins straining abdominal muscles. Do not break the water bag, as this often slows down the birth of a calf.
Lubricate your hands and arms if possible. Very gently reach inside and lightly pinch the calf. This process is easier if the cow is still standing. Feel for movement to indicate that the calf is alive.
Determine which way the calf is facing. Gently find a leg. You can feel two joints between elbow and hoof on forelegs, one joint between hock and hoof on back legs. Birthing a cow in a posterior (rear facing) position is more dangerous for both mother and calf.
Make small, mild adjustments to the calf's position if necessary once the cow is constantly straining. Ensure the legs (and head if front facing) are in the birth canal, and not hung up on the pubic bone. Do not attempt to move a rear-facing calf into a forward-facing position. The attempt is likely to harm both animals.
Help the cow dilate further by placing freshly washed hands and arms on either side of the calf's head and working them in and out of the birth canal for about five minutes.
Watch for signs of distress. As soon as the forelegs and nose appear, lightly pinch the calf's tongue. If the tongue retracts, the calf is likely doing fine. If there is no response, and the tongue appears dark between contractions (a dark tongue during contractions is normal) the calf is in distress. Another sign of a problem is a calf with a yellowish appearance. If no distress signs are apparent, let the cow finish her work. If the calf is in distress, you must try to speed delivery. Try again to dilate the mother. Reach around the calf and pull during contractions in a steady motion. You can pull hard, but do not "yank" on the calf. If at all possible, avoid pulling on the calf's head. Continue to assist until the calf is born.
How to Assist a Difficult Calf's Birth
Mother Nature bestows instinct upon animals, enabling them to birth babies without human assistance-most of the time. Occasionally, even Mother Nature can use an extra hand. Cattle, for example, often require calving assistance. While the procedure is normally performed by a knowledgeable vet or farmer, in an emergency situation, there are things anyone can do to help birth a calf.