IF IN DOUBT....CALL THE VET....

Under most normal circumstances, a birth (from the start of the bubble) really shouldn't take more than an hour. 2 hours at the most. Sometimes it will take awhile for a new, first time Momma to get one out.

Here the head is visible and the nose/feet are out first (both feet are not visible, but they are there)...

If the birthing does not progress any further from this stage, for maybe 10-20 minutes or so, then check that there are both feet coming out together. The correct way for a youngun' to start coming out is either, BOTH back feet TOGETHER-or BOTH front feet and a nose TOGETHER, with the baby's back turned up toward momma back. Momma may get up and down and reposition herself, trying to get the youngun' stream lined. If you only have one leg or the nose is not coming out with the front legs, then you may need to help out. Then there is the "breech" position, where the back legs are forward and the butt is trying come out first. Call the Vet if at all possible, and consult with him/her. If you absolutely must help, go wash your hands first or use surgical gloves and some KY jelly. GENTLY probe with your finger to see where the kid is situated. A simple GENTLE repositioning of a limb or head may be all that is needed. Or you may have to GENTLY push the little fellar back inside a little (between contractions) to allow the head or limb to have room to be GENTLY repositioned.

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