To pull or not to pull, that is the question

the presenting birth sac

I decide to begin this blog with the beginning of new life, two new lambs were born, with a little help. And so it begins.   Arriving home yesterday, I checked the ewes and lambs in the barn. All still together in the maternity ward, with three Gotland/ Icelandic ewes pregnant, and the rest of the ewes and lambs of various sizes, one Gotland cross was back in the birthing stable, calling out.

I went back to check and saw her birth sac, but noticed she was pawing and calling out, straining her neck. Usually the ewes give birth so fast that I miss some of the  process, and lambs are on the hay and being cleaned. I waited and it was apparent that this was not going to be a fast birth.

After a quick call to my vet, I proceeded to wait and watch. I am a retired RN, but would rather wait than rush in to a natural process.  As I waited the term pulling a lamb came to mind and any text books I had ever read were being summoned to mind. Sensing the ewes tiredness, I looked closer and finally saw two white hooves poking out.  

tow white hooves

Per my vet’s recommendation and after watching the ewe strain and cry out, I saw the nose present and so I decided to pull gently on the hooves, being mindful of the tiny nose. Hoping all would move out straight, and with no harm to the lamb,  out came, head, ears, shoulder, abdomen and legs. I cleaned off the nose and got out of the way, while the ewe cleaned her lamb. A little curly fleeced ewe lamb arrived. I could see the Gotland wavy fleece standing out on the lamb, along with the full Icelandic fleece cross. She seemed fit and began to try and stand up. Soon she was looking for milk.  

the new ewe lamb with mom, her name is Mirabella

Now I began looking for the placenta, but that was not meant to be. Another pair of tiny white hooves appeared. Again I waited and the ewe layed down and strained, thrashing her head about.  I looked for the nose and wiped away the sac and began to pull the hooves with the nose parallel to them. This little lamb seem very narrow, and came out flatter, until it began breathing. Then the lamb’s chest expanded and the abdomen filled out and it lay still while the ewe mom cleaned it. A ram lamb, he got up after a while and went hunting for milk. Here are some more ewe mom and lamb pictures.

Mom and Baby

Finally by about 10pm last night, all were warm, dry, full and bedded down, including me.

And today, you can see the curly, lustrous, clean fleece. The cords are dry, both are getting milk, mom is nattering to them, and they are calling back.

Here is the ram lamb with a lot to say. I am happy to have been part of this event. The lambs are quite friendly.

Now time for a nap.   This was a good day on the earth for me.

One more happy family picture. There is a saying by Julienne of Norwich, an English  mystic,” and all will be well, and all shall be well, and all matter of things will be well”. I always find it comforting.  I hope it goes well with you.