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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 183
Breech Birth:
When the lamb is presented backward, with its tail toward the pelvic opening and the hind legs pointed away from the pelvic opening, it is a breech position.
In a situation such as this, most often it is easier to get the lamb into position for delivery with its back feet coming out first, however, speed is important once you have got it started because the umbilical cord either breaks or becomes restricted and this may cause the lamb to suffocate in the mucus. Immediately you see it's nose emerge wipe it clean.
To deliver a lamb in the breech position:
1. Raise the ewe's hind legs slightly, by using a bale of hay or such like.
2. Gently push the lamb forward in the womb.
3. Reach in and slip your hand under the lamb's rear – there will not be much room to move.
4. Take the hind legs, one at a time, flex them, and bring each foot around into the birth canal.
Once you see the legs protruding, gently pull until the rear end appears. Now, grip both the legs and if possible the hindquarters then pull downward – not straight out.
The ewe may be exhausted by now, but it is important to determine whether or not there is another lamb inside to be born. Once the matter is settled, giver her penicillin shot, or insert an antibiotic uterine bolus to prevent the risk of infection.
Lamb lying crosswise:
There are occasionally times when the lamb lies across the pelvic opening, and you can only feel its back. If this happens, push the lamb back a little, and feel which direction is which. In a case such as this it is usually easier for the hind feet to be pulled first, especially if they are closer to the opening. If you do turn it around to deliver in the normal position, the head will have to be pulled around. Should the lamb also be upside down, it will need to be turned a half turn to come out easily.
All four legs coming at once:
When the lamb is presented backward, with its tail toward the pelvic opening and the hind legs pointed away from the pelvic opening, it is a breech position.
In a situation such as this, most often it is easier to get the lamb into position for delivery with its back feet coming out first, however, speed is important once you have got it started because the umbilical cord either breaks or becomes restricted and this may cause the lamb to suffocate in the mucus. Immediately you see it's nose emerge wipe it clean.
To deliver a lamb in the breech position:
1. Raise the ewe's hind legs slightly, by using a bale of hay or such like.
2. Gently push the lamb forward in the womb.
3. Reach in and slip your hand under the lamb's rear – there will not be much room to move.
4. Take the hind legs, one at a time, flex them, and bring each foot around into the birth canal.
Once you see the legs protruding, gently pull until the rear end appears. Now, grip both the legs and if possible the hindquarters then pull downward – not straight out.
The ewe may be exhausted by now, but it is important to determine whether or not there is another lamb inside to be born. Once the matter is settled, giver her penicillin shot, or insert an antibiotic uterine bolus to prevent the risk of infection.
Lamb lying crosswise:
There are occasionally times when the lamb lies across the pelvic opening, and you can only feel its back. If this happens, push the lamb back a little, and feel which direction is which. In a case such as this it is usually easier for the hind feet to be pulled first, especially if they are closer to the opening. If you do turn it around to deliver in the normal position, the head will have to be pulled around. Should the lamb also be upside down, it will need to be turned a half turn to come out easily.
All four legs coming at once: