Saturday, April 03, 2010

Midwife To A Pig

I was raking and cleaning up the yard when I decided to check on Ms. Scarlett. She was in labor and not very happy so I decided to sit with her for a little while. I started out sitting outside her stall and just talking but she had other ideas. She got up and came right over to plop her huge self right beside me and lay her head in my lap. I was surprised but started rubbing her back and talking to her. The harder her labor got the more she would want me to rub and talk. Ms. Scarlett was determined I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Felt so bad for the pain she was having and said a little prayer it would go fast and easy for her. Right away she started pushing for her firstborn. Ms. Scarlett decided to sit up to have it and the little piglet came fast! She turned and looked at it then looked at me and laid down to start pushing for the next one. I went in the stall and got the piglet, cleaned it up, cut and tied the cord. I tried to see if she wanted it but she let me know to keep it. I held it in my lap while trying to call William to come home and help. (He was tilling a garden) The next piglet popped right out, Ms. Scarlett looked at and looked at me so I got that one and started cleaning it up too. After cutting and tying the cord she was already pushing out the third one. My lap had 2 piglets and Ms. Scarlett's head in it while I was cutting and tying the third cord. I needed help and tried to call William again. I tried to take the piglets out of the stall but Ms. Scarlett didn't like that. I brought them back and held them in my lap. She loved being able to see them but didn't want them near her while she was in labor. William finally arrived with his helper Taylor. I turned the cleaning and cord tying over to the two of them and I went and sat in the stall with Ms. Scarlett. I put the piglets on the other side of me. They were hungry and wanting to nurse so I was getting bites and tugs all over from these tiny ones. If I happened to slip up and let one get by me to Ms. Scarlett she would look right at me and scold me till I put the piglet back on the other side of me. It seemed like a very long time but was only about 1 hour until she had delivered all her babies. Each piglet when born had to be shown to her then we could take it and clean it up. The last piglet was stillborn. Ms. Scarlett knew and didn't even look at it when William held it for her to see. The whole labor and delivery found me sitting in the middle of a pig stall with Scarlett laying next to me all the time and parttime with her head in my lap. And with 9 piglets trying to have me for lunch. It was amazing. Most sows are very protective of the piglets. She seemed to trust me right away and let me take care of them while she labored. I tried to tell her I knew nothing bout birthing no babies but she wouldn't listen! Meanwhile dear old Rhett stood in his pen enjoying the sun and frankly not giving a da*n. Ms. Scarlett and piglets are doing fine. She lets me in the pen with her and them without any problem. One got out of the stall and couldn't get back in and she let me pick it up and put it back with the others. She is such a sweet gentle momma. Took me a long shower to get the mud, poo and piggy smell washed away but boy was it worth it!

19 comments:

Granny said...

Peggy if you haven't already, you need to write a book about your adventures. That is such a sweet story about Ms. Scarlett.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh how sweet... Love your story(stories) Peggy... You are truly in "HOG HEAVEN" aren't you???? Hope you get some pictures of the babies to show us... Will you name them all????

Happy Easter.
Hugs,
Betsy

Lib said...

How Sweet.I love hearing about your days at The Homestead!
Hope you have a great Easter!
Blessins!Lib

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the piglets! What a wonderful story. Beautifully written Peggie! I agree with Granny about the book!

Helen said...

That was a great experience. Thanks for sharing. Helen

Connie said...

Peggy, God has sure Blessed you with a special gift to relate to each animal that comes your away. Maybe you should have been a vet. LOL Seriously, the animals can feel your love for them and trust you automatically. I love each story you share. Keep them coming.

Happy Easter, Peggy!

Hugs,
Connie

Anonymous said...

P.S. I won't let Harriet phone Rusty about riding in the stroller. You would never get him to walk again!!!!! ha ha

Anonymous said...

Happy Easter Peggy! What a sweet story. My college friend grew up on a farm in s. GA and I can remember a similar situation with them early one Sunday morning. Enjoy this lovely weather.

amelia said...

What a wonderful way to spend Easter!! I can't think of many better ways!!
Beautiful story and thank you for writing so well for us all!!

Tracy Bruring said...

Peggy you poor thing. And no camera!!!

Linda Lee said...

I've been missing you---I went to your blog and realized I could find you here. Have a blessed Easter. I have mother sow stories also! Sometime I will write you about the piglet we had in the house because it was a runt and had to bottle feed it.

Kelle at The Never Done Farm said...

That is amazing and you definately need to write that in a notebook for your family.

Isn't it amazing, people think I'm weird but animals just seem to trust me and our Dd has the same gift. When I look into their eyes it's as if they are looking at my soul and know I'm to be trusted.

Thank you for sharing that amazing and touching story.
Blessings,
Kelle

Carole Burant said...

Happy Easter to you and yours, dear Sis!! Having had Corey home the last few days and making my Easter dinner yesterday, today I am relaxing and catching up with my blogging friends:-)

Well you sure know a lot about birthing piggies now! lol What a wonderful experience you had helping Ms. Scarlett give birth to her 9 piglets. My mom had a pet piglet when she was growing up and I love listening to her talking about it:-) xoxo

JoyceAnn said...

I remember watching and helping one of our sows deliver babies when I was young , it was quite fascinating. I loved hearing this story , brought back memories.
Hope you still have plans for writing that book in the future.

Happy Belated Easter !!

DayPhoto said...

I love this story and I am so impressed at the care and love you give your animals.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

The Mind of a Mom said...

See you are right where the animals need you most!
I am loving the new look it so suits the Haven. I can't wait until you get your camera I would have loved to have seen the piglets :o)
Take care

Anonymous said...

Peggy, I'm so glad to see this blog again! I used to watch for your posts all the time at Homestead.org. and wondered where you'd gone off to.

I love the story about Miss Scarlet. Your animals live a charmed life.

*Hugs* from gracekelli (using her daughter's gmail account!)

Welcome To Wilmoth Farms said...

How amazing! I never knew pigs were that gentle either I've always heard horror stories about them!!!!! Even when they were in distress! What an awesome story to witness, participate and share!!!!!!

DayPhoto said...

You are a true animals caretaker and they know it. Animals are what makes you more than happy and it shines through and run before you.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/