Things to keep on hand for a post partum First Aid Kit
Lube/Shoulder length palpation sleves OB Chains/Nylon straps with D ring (need to be able to sterilize these) Calf Puller or come along with extra lengh of chain to afix to post/tree etc. NOT A TRUCK Oral calf feeder and or bottle with new nipple Dry Colostrum Supliment/ Imuteck IGG/ Colotrix etc. oral CMPK/ Calcium Gel (for Cow) and gun for administration Tincture of Iodine & small cup to dip navel of calf/ prevents navel abscese/ helps dry cord faster.
Heifer/Cow will passs a thick mucus plug first, this is the cervical plug that protects the preganancy from the outside world. Then the Amniotic sack will pass, this is a medium sized fluid filled sack attached to the placenta, it will be follewed tipicly by the front feet if the calf is in the normal posture and position. A normal delivery takes about 30 minutes or less, but a heifer with her first delivery may take longer.
Sometimes, depending on the size of the female, shape of her pelvic canal it may take longer, especialy if the cervix has not fully dilated. If you are able to observe her, you will ssee her avoid the herd and go off by herself, this is a good indication she is in labor. They don't all stop eating, as many text books will indicate/ (I have several that much right through labor), OK, then she may get up and down several times to reposition the calf and help it move into the birth canal, you should see toes, the calf should be in a diving posture with the front legs offset, one forward of the other, then after a few inches of front legs and toes, you should see a toung then the nose, after the shoulders pop through the head will come out rather quickly followed by the rest of the calf. In the event you need to pull on the calf, it is best for the cow to have her down on her side, and pull the calf at a 45 degree angle downward motion from the cows vulva, if she is standing getting a 45+ downward pull is a lot easier, but you want to pull on the long leg then the short in separet pulls, trying to losen the shoulder, don't pull them at the same time as this may cause hip lock, which can damage both the calf and the cow, causing temporary or even permanent nerve damage.
Once calf is out it is critical to clear the nasal passage, grass or straw stuck up the nostril works well to initiate a sneeze.
Nature is best to handle calving, the cow's natural ability to calve and nurture her calf kick in and she should be able to do it all her self, but in the event she can't or won't all the above listed items will help insure you are able to bring her and the calf through it easily, remember, a first aid kit is for emergency only, use patience when observing a female in labor, after 2 hours of watching her try it is time to help, even that seems too long, but if she is trying that is better than forcing the calf out.
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