| Alpaca births are relatively problem free. About 5% of births may encounter problems, maybe less. But in any case if you are in the alpaca business long enough you will need to assist a mother with the birthing process.The first thing you need to learn is when you are faced with a problem. Almost all delivery problems are the result of the cria being mal-presented. This is called a dystocia. The warning signs are:1. Stage one labor lasting more than four to six hours. In a long labor the dam will often become fatigued, lie down and give up. If the placenta becomes separated during this stage of labor the baby will die and begin to decompose which will eventually kill the mother. If a female discharges a foul smelling fluid and exhibits signs of stomach pain she is in trouble. You will need to call the veterinarian immediately.2. The water sac (amniotic sac) appears from the vulva and is not followed within sixty minutes by a body part. If the water sac breaks and the baby is not delivered within sixty minutes; the loss of fluid can cause the baby to “stick” in the womb, especially if it is a large baby.3. If you see the wrong body parts. A normal cria presentation is nose and two front feet. One leg, head only, back feet or one leg and head are all signs that a cria is out of position.4. The cria’s head and front feet come out and the progress stops for more than ten to fifteen minutes. This can be the result of the shoulders being locked in the birth canal.5. The female is till in labor at 6 pm (a little later on long summer evenings). This is not always a problem but a late labor should put you on alert.
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