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When a heifer is attempting a breech birth, with tail presented first and hind feet pointed forward/down — not in exit position — is it feasible to pull the calf hock first? In such cases, the feet would be pointed forward and would not exit first.
Last Updated: November 12, 2010
This is a tricky presentation because the umbilical cord will break early in this presentation as compared to a normal presentation. The umbilical cord is the oxygen source until the calf is born and the lungs fill due to a change in pressure. If the umbilical cord breaks, the lungs begin to fill with fluid and the calf usually suffocates if not removed from that environment quickly. You could push the rump forward and find the hocks and bring them through the birthing canal first. If the calf is too big, then call the vet.
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