Hi Ashfield farm,
I'm new to this site and only just read your thread, can I add my condolences for your terrible loss - its great to read that you have another 'in calf' cow close to calving, good luck - as has already been said, just enjoy the moment and let the cow do her stuff - I breed Dexters and in the main they have no problem calving, however our last cow to calf this year was showing signs of distress as she was getting ready to calf. She does not like to be handled and so it wasn't easy to get close to her to check what was wrong, but when I did manage to get to her whilst she was on the ground, I discovered she was presenting the calf 'upside down', I tried to turn it myself but after 20mins of sweating and swearing, I left her in the field and rushed home to phone the vet, when I returned some 10minutes later she was licking her new heifer calf as if nothing had happened. Don't you just love nature? Anyway, from a start of one bull and two cows five years ago we now have a herd of 11 Dexters - I wish you the same success and enjoyment
Regards Farmer