Further assistance during abnormal parturition

The first thing that we must decide upon is whether there in fact exists a problem during the giving-birth period (parturition). What are some of the more common signs that should tell us that all is not going right?
i. Contractions have begun (labour), and 2-3 hours later, she is still pressing with great effort without a puppy/kitten being born.
ii. Dark green fluid (sometimes tinged with blood) exudes from the vagina, but the first puppy/kitten has not been expelled. Please note that the presence of the dark green fluid is normal after the first pup is born.
iii. The ‘water bag’ (amniotic sac) bursts (golden fluid appears), but no pup/kitten is born after 30 minutes have elapsed.
iv. After the first birth, no other puppy/kitten appears. In fact, she may cease to press (does not show labour contractions). Of course, one must be sure that she had conceived more than one pup/kitten. Your prior visits to the vet would have determined this.
v. Some animals display great fear and anxiety, even restlessness, (especially if this is the first pregnancy).
vi. Some mothers-to-be show great lethargy. In some cases, the mother has no strength to stand up. She urinates and defecates right there where she is lying down.

What can you do?
Obviously, the first step is to contact your veterinarian, if you feel there is a problem developing. It is better to involve the vet than to be confronted with a serious (perhaps even lethal) problem later on. If you have to intervene, please ensure that you follow this advice:
i. Wash (with water that has been boiled and treated with an antiseptic) the vulva and anal area. You may use soap.
ii. Please insert your cleansed index finger into the vagina and try to ascertain what is going on in there: whether the head is stuck, or the rump is coming first, or one leg is left behind, or the head is twisted to one side, etc.
iii. If the head is deviated, place your index finger in the pup/kitten mouth and slowing rotate the head in such a way that it is aligned with the birth canal.
iv. Similarly, if the leg (hind or front) is stuck behind, try to pull it forward into the birth canal.
v. Always use one hand to lift the mother’s pelvic area, while you digitally feel the pup/kitten, via the vagina, with the other hand.
As I had mentioned previously, my objective is not to turn the caregiver into a pet midwife. However, if the absolute necessity arises, even while one tries to contact his/her vet, the pet owner may have to literally take matters into his/her hands.