Just after tea break at work, 10.40am, I had a phone call from OH saying the neighbour had called him. She told him Isobel had gone into labour. So he rings me and I ran out the door, I think I managed to tell somebody I was leaving![:I]
She was in the paddocks and making big circles around where her waters had broke. I went up to her gave her a scratch and shifted the other two girls into the next paddock. For a while she seemed happy to stay where she was, then it started to rain so I went and got my coat, When I came back she had shifted to a different spot. I stood by armed with the camera as I knew I wouldn't be forgiven if I missed anything[:p]
She was restless and making low moaning sounds and was up and down, fluids still draining when she contracted. At this point my neighbour wandered over (the one who rang) and she had a look during one of the contractions and said that she could see two feet, so that was encouraging.
Soon we began to see the feet emerge, tiny little white hooves, and soft to the touch...it was a hands on birth![;)] Isobel so was so good and almost looked liked she was happy we were there, she kept looking at me with those big eyes as if to say, 'What is happening to me' and she would lean against me.
With each contraction more seemed to emerge, I could see the sack of fluid alongside the feet.
Then after a while I saw a nostril. By this time my friend turned up with lunch, after a quick look she disappeared inside with the neighbour just as it started to pelt down with rain, my neighbour came back out with a coat for me, as I was getting rather wet by this time and cold. They returned with a toasted cheese and onion sandwich!
Isobel was still restless and was up and down and the feet were in and out![:D] It was nearly 1pm by this point and poor Isobel was beginning to look quite tired. At this point my 2 resident midwifes thought that maybe a little intervention was needed to pull the head out as it didn't seem to be budging. So I was sent off to the barn to get some baling twine....I was thinking that it would be just my luck she'll plop it out before I get back! Isobel was making some quite loud mooing sounds by now....well you would wouldn't you?
All that noise attracted the attention of all things cattle in the neighbourhood!
The baling twine was looped around both feet, and my friend strategically placed to pull and my neighbour was stretching 'ISOBELS' vulva, I had camera aimed and ready to shoot and on the next contraction with a bit of a tug...a new life emerged into the world!
A quick lift of the leg revealed a heifer!
I cried![:I] Isobel bellowed! My neighbour pulled the calf in front of Isobel and the next few moments were amazing. Isobel stood up so fast and stood over her making such a racket! She started to lick her and we decided some more lunch in order and a hot cup of coffee while she bonded.
When I went back outside the calf was up and feeding. The miracle of life, truly amazing!
Two lessons learned today:
1) Don't feed the cows too much food while they are pregnant, you get BIG calves
2) How to use baling twine for a speedy delivery
Many thanks go to my friend and my neighbour for their help and support. I'm very lucky to have 2 experienced cow experts to hand!
