My Solo Delivery
If you would have told me ten years ago that this would be my life, I wouldn’t have believed you! Getting to experience these things first hand and being a “vet” was only a dream I had when I was younger.
Lance (my husband) had to run to the vet this specific morning for different needs for another sheep. He left me to look after a ewe that was in labor. The boys were entertaining themselves and little miss was napping.
After watching this ewe for a while on the app we have for our cameras in our barn, she was pushing and was making minimal progress. I eventually went down to the barn to be able to physically see her laboring.
She was in distress and needed some assistance. I was all alone and she needed help. I said a prayer, asking for a safe baby and healthy mom. My worst fear was that I wouldn’t be able to help and I would lose both ewe and baby.
Meanwhile, I was talking to myself, hyped up on adrenaline saying “okay, here we go, okay here we go mamma” over and over again. Also, trying to remember everything I have learned from watching Lance countless times! I grabbed the hooves after some searching and pulled. I pulled again hard, mamma was struggling and dropped to the ground, but the lamb came out. I cleaned the sack from its face and held it upside down to clear the airway.
I Immediately saw another bloody nose and both front hooves thankfully. Mamma was in such shock I decided just to grab the hooves. With a slight pull (If you can, always grab both the hooves.) he came out. I held him upside down and cleared his airway.
I eventually stripped mamma’s wax plugs on her utters. A little while later I made a colostrum bottle since everyone was obviously in shock and exhausted. I then held them to mamma and they both got a good drink! What a relief and whirlwind! What an exhilarating moment! Twins, 2 (boy) ram lambs!
Reflecting on this experience has been very rewarding. Having three sections myself I fully understand the pain and necessity to get the babies out! My roll as part of this business comes in many forms; homemaker, support giver, listener, wife, mom, gate getter and nurturer. This ewe and her lambs might not have made it all alive if I hadn’t have been there to help out and assist. It circumstance helped me shed some light on all the value I have as a person and in our business.
Many firsts have happen on our ranch, I have lost count. The joy and excitement of birth is amazing! We would love to hear from you! Are you a rancher? A rancher’s wife? A rancher’s husband? Do you love lamb? Do you have a story to share? Follow along for more stories on FB: Myrvik Farms.
-Kelly
