In General (for cows, deer, goat & sheep):
The young are born is a dive position. (as per the sketch>)
The sole of the hooves is downwards. 
The head rests on the legs.
The widest part of the foetus/newborn is at it's hips.
The foetus must pass through the mothers pelvic cavity.. Hormones ensure there is some "give" as it passes through.
However..  You can avoid some birth complications .. by not using a GOLIATH sized sire over your THUMBERLINA sized dam.
 A large foetus can be a challenge during parturition. (birthing)
Farm management.. and your pre birthing stock.
Cows, in particular need to be "managed" pre calving to avoid metabolic complications.. 
Please read through the  "metabolic problems" page. (LHS of this page)
Timing of the birth date:
Animals should be able to give birth to fit in with their "dietary" requirements. 
The lactating mother needs  generous amounts of feed/pasture  to:
-Make milk for her newborn.
-To regain any lost body condition. (Cows in particular need body condition to recommence oestrus.)
There needs to be plenty of pasture for the weaned young stock.. as pasture is now their only feed.
Cows need to have good body condition ONE MONTH prior to  calving. 
Pre calving: Cows are best farmed on a "maintenance" diet... (another tool to reduce the possibility of metabolic complications)
Our seasons are changing!! We can no longer rely on warm ground temperatures to boost clover growth. (clover is a good source of magnesium)
see the "metabolic problems" page.
The "Birth Canal":
<This diagram is of the "birth canal", and a cow in late pregnancy.
As yet this "foetus is NOT in birthing position. "Labour" is several weeks away.
 During the 1^st stage of labour: 
The cervix begins to open (widen). Assisted by the shape of the uterus; The foetus then gets itself into the birthing position. ie a diving position, by  bringing it’s legs up, and it positions it’s head so the nose is closest to the cervix. 
The uterus is very generously muscled.
During labour / delivery these strong muscles work to push the newborn up and in the direction of the cervix.
The shape of the foetus, and the strong muscles help in delivery. 
Fluid, often referred to as "Birthing Fluid", ensures the foetus slides more easily through the birth canal.
The muscles of the uterus push the foetus upwards.  As the legs are narrow, and outstretched they enter the cervix.  The head which is much wider than the legs, rests on the legs. The nose first, the nose being the narrower part of the head, widens the cervix allowing the the rest of the head to pass through.  The shoulders are the widest part of the newborn.   
When the shoulders are through the vagina, for an animal standing the weight of the newborn, and the "birthing fluid" allow the newborn to move further through the birth canal. In the photo: The cow is standing, and this calf  is about to "hit the ground". Some animals lie on their side through parts, or all of the parturition process. The uterine muscles can cope with doing all the "pushing out".
 
Links (Youtube) Pictures of birthing:
Cow birthing:
Twin birth.. The 1st twin is born without assistance, and was in the normal "diving" position birth. (we presume)
The 2nd twin is presenting backwards. (this sometimes happens in twin births, as both foeti need to fit in the uterus.)
In a backward presentation you'll notice the sole of the hooves, and the knees point to the ground. It often pays to check if the tail is in between the legs.
If not, you will need to "go in" and position the tail in a downwards position, so it is NOT an obstruction.
There is merit in speeding up the birth.
Because; as the calf passes through the narrow birth canal, there is a chance the umbilicus (the vital link to it's mother) will be pinched off. 
This farmer uses ropes to pull the calf.  Ropes are helpful.  You can help calve by pulling on both "ankles" equally. Most cows will stand to give birth.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El0y-R-d-A4&feature=related
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/forglvst/Dairy/dirm20.pdf
Goat birthing: 
Gestation period is about 150 days.
Signs that birthing is close: Frequency of urination and a low pitched bleating (this could indicate kidding is about 2 days away).
At the onset of labour a mucus plug is discharged, followed by small amounts of mucus.
The amniotic sac bursts usually about 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to the arrival of the first kid. She looks behind her, lifts her tail up, her udder begins to fill. Siblings are born 5 - 30 minutes apart. Wipe any surplus fluid from the newborns nose and mouth. The placenta is expelled about 2 hours after the last kid is born.
This is an excellent site: http://www.nwinfo.net/~milkmaid/dystocia.html
For more information: http://www.boergoats.com/clean/articleads.php?art=285
This is quite a "long" video..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8z0k5sO9lU&NR=1
Sheep giving birth:
Several days prior to lambing her udder will feel firm. Closer to lambing you may notice her vulva swells, and you may notice a mucus discharge.
Just prior to lambing she may separate from the flock, and locate a quiet area for herself. This is her chosen site for giving birth.. She will smell the ground there. She may paw at the ground using her front feet.
Getting up, then lying down is a sign that she is in labour. You will notice the membranes of the sac (which covers the newborn) as they appear through her vagina.
She will lamb (usually lying down) where the amniotic fluid falls.
The placenta is delivered 2-5 hours later. After lambing the lamb is groomed by its mother.
It usually stands 15 minutes after birth. The ewe recognises its lamb by its bleat its colour and its smell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHLdlgeUSmU&feature=related

Before calving, lambing, kidding or fawning begins.
You can check for pregnancy by "ballotment".. By pushing against her "bulge" (ie over her uterus), You'll notice the  fetus will move, and then return. 
Sometimes you will  notice  foetal movements just by observing. 
In-calf cows rest.. Too lazy to get up if disturbed, especially on a sunny day. (Other times of the year they usually start eating if disturbed.)
BE  PREPARED: Use a notebook to record all details:
-eg: the mothers ID number (or name), and her expected birthing date.
 Upon birthing: note date of birth, and newborns sex, and record the newborns identification number.
Iodine Spray:  To spray the newborns navel area. (spray the area generously.) THIS  IS  IMPORTANT ..especially so in wet muddy conditions.
 The iodine helps minimize the likelihood of the newborn picking up "bugs" which cause an infection in it's navel..
An infection in this area spreads rapidly to other parts of it's body... It can lead to joint ill... and the animal may need to be euthanized.
   (It's much easier if you use "spray on" iodine solution. An iodine solution especially for newborns navels should be available from your
local farmer's supplies store.)
For those who have synchronized all their 1st calving heifers, there is merit in dividing the group so they don't all calve
in the same paddock. This is to avoid confusion, as to  which calf belongs to which mother. They wont all calve on the due date.
Have your fingernails well trimmed, and keep them well scrubbed. This is in case you need to help with birthing.
Have a lambing "lubricant", or similar on hand. This is a solution which when applied to hands and arms gives a very clean, and slippery surface should you need to do an internal examination.

Dystocia: (a difficult  birth)
How can you tell if there are problems.
 Cows: 
-Tame cows, or a milking cow (they're used to human contact), may attempt to attract your attention when having difficulty calving.
-If she has been walking around for quite some time, her udder bulging, and her tail is elevated, or she flicks it.
-If she has been straining for too long. (ie the calf has NOT been born after 2- 3 hours after the "waters have broken")
       (Cow's calve faster than heifers.   Heifers are known for taking their time, and may even delay progress for an hour.! ) 
* Uterine contractions will eventually stop.
The cow really needs help when contractions have ceased. 
You will need to examine her: 
(Wash your hands, arms, and above your elbows.. then apply "lambing lubricant or similar)
* Check to see that 2 hooves.. (soles downwards) followed by knees that bend downwards are visible through the vulva.
*Always be aware that she could be having twins!!  The legs you see may be from 2 different calves!!
There can be all sorts of presentations:.. tail, hind legs, one leg, 1 leg from each twin.
It is easier to "work" with the cow when she is standing.. however she will choose if she wishes to stand or lie down.
  If  you are out of your comfort zone:  Don't hesitate:  Phone your  vet.
< You can learn lots from your vet. & Take the opportunity to ask your vet all sorts of questions. 
  After the vet does a uterine examination, the vet will repositioning (rearrange) the calf so it is in the "diving position".
  After the calf has been delivered, the vet will give her an antibiotic shot (usually a long acting antibiotic so a repeat injection is not needed)
 You can check on progress or foetal position:
To check on the cows progress you may need to examine her vaginally.
Your fingernails need to be clean and short.
Your hands and arms need to be thorough washed.
You  need your hands to be slippery to help them slide in. (Use: a "lambing lubricant",  KY jelly, or an antiseptic cream.  If you don't have either, you can  moistened you hands and arms with a basic soap -not a perfumed beauty soap!!)
Position your hand so it is as narrow as possible when you insert your hand into the vagina.
 As your hand goes up the vagina, you first need to notice if the  cervix (the entrance to the uterus) is dilated (widened) or not.
 If you feel just a small "hole" at the end of her vagina then the cervix is not dilated. Don't continue any further.
 http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/livestock/aps-00_02/aps-0180.html
http://extension.usu.edu/files/agpubs/beef08.pdf   (This website has illustrations)
Give the cow a shot / course of antibiotics if you have needed to enter her uterus.

Goat:
If the doe pushes hard, then stands (stopping labour) then lies down and starts again. She may also arch her back. She may elevate her 'tail end'.  A discharge that is rusty red and looks septic. Doe is in 'hard-out' labour for ½ - ¾ hour without results.
This website is very helpful: http://www.nwinfo.net/~milkmaid/dystocia.html 

Sheep:
If she is still straining for an hour after her water bag has burst and there is still no sign of a lamb. Or clearly there is only on leg, or it is upside down.
Don't break the umbilical cord until your sure the lamb is breathing.
If your very new to assisting birthing animals..     Don't hesitate.   Phone your vet soon as possible.
Working with the vet is a great way to learn. Be sure to ask lots of question.
Identifying parts of the foetus is essential when correcting a mal-presentation. The vet may even allow you to do an internal examination yourself so you can feel, and identify parts yourself.
After hands have been used for an internal examination there is always the risk of introducing infection. The vet will administer an antibiotic.
You can help if the presentation is normal, and the foetus appears jammed in the pelvis by a pull.

Clearing fluid from the nose and mouth of a newborn.  
If the calf has a lot of mucous, wipe it away. You may  inserting a straw into its nostril .. just enough to make the calf sneeze.
This will help clear the nose, and help with breathing. Some farmers take the newborn by the hind legs then swing it in a semicircle. By holding the newborn so the head and thorax are downwards for a short time, will allow the nose, trachea and lungs to drain.
 

Cows: and signs of birthing: Usually her udder "bags up" (appears to be full of milk) several days prior to calving. (But she may 'bag up' the night before.)  Be aware, sometimes it is difficult to tell if a cow has calved or not!  When you observe a view as in the photo (left).. with 2 hooves showing, and hoof tips are pointed upwards, it can be a sign that birthing is progressing normally. But keep an eye on her progress.  In the photo (right)  the head is advancing through the vulva, and the rest of the body will soon follow.

Assisting with birthing.
When giving birth goes "wrong" it is termed dystocia.
When helping with birthing you are aiding in the safe delivery of a newborn, with minimal trauma to the mother
If you examine the mother internally you'll need to be able to identify the foetal parts by feel..
If your very new to helping with birthing perhaps studying a newborn may help. The foetus is a very small version of the adult.
If the foetus is in an impossible position for parturition to continue.. or if there are twins, or even triplets, it can be very confusing.
Note it's hooves (front and back) The knees face the tops of the hooves for front feet. The front legs bend backwards.
The back legs: The bending part is at the rear of the leg. The back legs bend forwards.
Note it's head parts: It's ears, it's forehead, it's mouth.
Note it's tail.
It can be very confusing if your are dealing with twins (or more!!), as there will be twice (or thrice!!) as many body parts to identify.
After safely delivering one newborn, then routinely check to feel if there is a twin still inside.
Administer an antibiotic to the mother after examining or having helped reposition and deliver her newborn. This will help reduce the likelihood of an uterine infection.
Repositioning so the foetus can be safely born:
Have the cow restrained so you can work easily with her..
Be aware of how easily infections can be introduced, so have your finger nails cut, and clean. Wash your hands thoroughly.
Clean any dung away from her vulva before you start..
When repositioning limbs, place your hands over the sharp edges of the hooves. This helps  prevent their sharp edges breaking the lining of the uterus.
Basically you're gently repositioning the head, and limbs so the front legs are positioned  into the cervix.. Sometimes the foetus must be pushed backwards into the uterus to allow the "helper" to reach the other foot and bring it out.
Care must be taken with the calf's head also.  The head should be resting on the front legs.
It can easily turn sideways during an assisted birth. Using a rope/chain positioned around the calf's head as illustrated will hold the head in the correct position.
If the chain goes through the mouth, the the calf's nose will be lifted
then the chain/rope is pulled.
The sketch (right) shows the correct position of chains/rope when
pulling the calf..
 Work in with the uterine contractions.
Dystocia in deer:
Leave deer alone at fawning is the rule. Disturbing her herdmates is not a good idea. A small number of hinds do require assistance. Some years, for some reason, more hinds will need assistance. Physical fitness in winter and spring, social stability of the group, and a quiet paddock environment are presumed to positively reduce dystocia.
Beware of "burglar  mothers"
Sometimes it's difficult to tell if a "mother" has given birth or not.  "Clucky" / "super mothers" or burglar cows or ewes" are usually older mothers. They will steal the newborn from a herd/flockmate. They may attempt to feed someone else's newborn while they themselves are in the early stages of labour. I've seen 2 cows fight over the ownership of a calf.
We'd purchased 5 calves, and had very successfully mothered them up to their adopted mother. Later in the week I found 4 calves sucking on the one mother. The 5th calf was in amongst the 4 calves waiting her turn at a teat!!
Frequent checking on pregnant stock, and ear tagging as soon as the newborn "hits the ground" will minimize some of this confusion.
The Uterus after Parturition:
After birth the uterus involutes. Involution is the "process" (in all mammals) where the uterus returns to it's pre-pregnant size.
The length of involution varies with  each species.. In a cow the average length of time is 6 - 7 weeks.
Retained placenta in cows:
Usually the placenta is expelled shortly after delivery.
Sometimes the  membranes will hang from the vagina. Usually it looks messy as the cow adds splashes of urine, and it's dung to the trail of membranes!!!  The retained membranes possibly wont cause any problems. The uterus is involuting, and this will help the membranes to separate. If the cow is clearly unwell contact the vet.
If the cow  appears  healthy wait for several days, perhaps up to 10 days before contacting a vet..
Retained foetal membranes:
http://www.nadis.org.uk/DiseasesCattle/RFM/Retained%20Foetal%20Membranes.htm
Calving paralysis:
When mammals give birth the newborn must pass through the cavity of the pelvis.
BIG calves, a prolonged, or difficult calving can cause damage to the obturator nerve as it passes through this “hole” in
the solid bony pelvis.  
Some breeds are said to predispose to calving paralysis more than other breeds. Jerseys are said to be the easy calvers.
The cow will be “down”, but she will be alert. If there is grass in her reach she will be eating.
She won’t be able to get up. Some cows will “sulk” and won’t even try.
Treating this cow will take time. You cant rush "this job", so allow plenty of time.
Success depends on:
The severity of the damage, and the cows attitude!!.
She may be able to eat grass.. but you'll need to bring her water, and in a container so she can easily drink from it.
You will need a tractor with a front end loader, hip clamps and chain for attaching, or a cow sling.
(From my experience with cow slings.. there are different sizes of slings.
A sling designed for a large cow will be too large for a smaller breed.)
The sulky cow!!!
Driving your noisy tractor very close to your  paralyzed cow is usually
enough to scare her into making an attempt to get up!!
(Both photos were obtained from the Shoof catalogue:)
www.shoofinternational.co.nz

The aims of rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy, and without further injuries to the cow.
The cow needs to be positioned into standing with the aid of the either clamps or a sling.
The sling is applied by rolling the cow.. over onto a 1/2 rolled up sling... then roll again to straighten up the sling.
With clamps you need to be as gentle as possible. Some farmers put padding around the clamps parts to make it more comfortable for the cow.
The idea is to position the cow into the correct standing position, and leave her in this position for  a while.
After all she has been sitting down for quite a while, and she'll appreciate the change of position.!
I never leave animals when they are pulled up with hip clamps. Should  she slip, (and it can happen) the poor cow is left dangling, and is most uncomfortable.
As she appears steady you can slightly slacken the sling or the chain so the cow is in the position of taking her weight.
Observe how she manages.
Don't hesitate to put her back into standing position if she cannot take her weight. At this stage there is a big possibility  that her back legs  can slip when using hip clamps..
Gradually (over quite a few days .. depending on the severity of damage and the cows attitude) Encourage her to take her weight, then encourage her to take some steps. This can be done with the chain gently slackened. You may be able to very slowly following her, driving behind her on the tractor. Be prepared to stop in case she becomes unsteady on her feet.
When she can take some steps she can have access to a fresh area of grass, and drink from a bucket of water.
Keep on with the  physiotherapy until you are satisfied she can walk well.  It may take weeks.
When she is resting it is important to make sure her limbs are correctly positioned. She is heavy.. 
We've all felt pins and needles in our limbs!!! 
Imagine the weight of her body on badly positioned limbs, and for many hours.
Make sure she has plenty to eat. The digestion of food will help keep her body warm. If the weather is bad, and she is without shelter then a cow cover, or even some hay bales near her will prevent some of the chill from cold weather and wind.

Introduction
Small Farm Essentials  |	All About Pastures
Fertiliser  |	Seasonal Management
Behaviour: Cattle, Deer, Goats  |	Birth: Dystocia and Helping
Newborns & Calf Rearing  |	Metabolic Problems
Common Diseases: Treatment & Prevention
Preventable Diseases (in cattle, sheep, goats, and deer)

Elise@2farm.co.nz 
www.2farm.co.nz