JP2007236859A - Obstetric monitor by measuring ear temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple obstetric monitor capable of correctly and reliably predicting an obstetric start time to a waiting person in a remote place and securing safety in a mother body and an embryo in animal before/after an obstetrics. <P>SOLUTION: The obstetric monitor 1 includes: a temperature sensor 3 for measuring the ear temperature of the mother body of the animal to be monitored in the obstetrics; and a circuit 13 for discriminating temperature depression from the ear temperature detected by the temperature sensor 3, which exceeds the fluctuation area of the ear temperature in a usual condition before the obstetrics. A system includes a communication apparatus and/or alarm device 20 for notifying an obstetric sign signal by the temperature depression, which is output from the discriminating circuit 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a delivery monitoring apparatus for notifying a person waiting for a delivery start time of an animal at a place away from the animal.

  A breeder and a veterinarian are present when the livestock is delivered, and a doctor and a midwife are present when the pregnant woman is delivered, so that the fetus can be delivered safely.

  Although it is possible to predict the approximate delivery date of cattle, horses, pigs, sheep and other livestock or pregnant women who are often artificially inseminated, it is impossible to predict the exact delivery date. Therefore, it is necessary to watch the start of labor before the predicted delivery date. Especially in the case of livestock, the start of delivery must be monitored several days before the expected delivery date. It is virtually impossible to always accompany such livestock.

  Therefore, a device for remotely monitoring labor is used. As such an apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a remote monitoring delivery sign detection apparatus using a video camera and a monitor. This is inefficient because the breeder has to keep monitoring with this device.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a delivery monitoring device that detects a change in state when a transmitter inserted into the vagina of a livestock several days before the expected delivery date is released to the outside of the body with the progress of labor, and notifies the breeder Is disclosed. It is troublesome to sterilize when inserting the communication device into the vagina. Furthermore, there is a risk that the communication device may injure the livestock mother or fetus, the pathogen may be infected in the vagina from the lead wire leading to the communication device, or the communication device may fall out of the vagina before the delivery time and misreport.

  The inventor has found that the vulva opens immediately after the start of labor. Therefore, the distance between the electromagnetic induction oscillator attached to one of the opposite vulva and the electromagnetic induction receiver attached to the other is the distance that can be induced in the state of both vulva during normal times, A patent application has been filed for a labor monitoring device that is adjusted to a distance where induction electromotive force is impossible in the open state of both vulva parts (Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-023787).

  The present inventor has further found out that the body temperature of the animal maternal body is lowered several hours to several tens of hours before delivery, and has been diligently studied to monitor the start of delivery using this.

JP 2002-153162 A JP 2003-310647 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and can accurately and surely notify an animal delivery sign or immediately before delivery to a person waiting at a place away from the animal, and also before and after delivery. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple delivery monitoring device that can ensure the safety of the child.

  The delivery monitoring device according to claim 1, which has been made to achieve the above object, includes a temperature sensor for measuring an ear temperature of an animal mother to be monitored for delivery, and the temperature sensor detects the temperature sensor. And / or a circuit for discriminating a temperature drop that exceeds the fluctuation range of the ear temperature in normal times before delivery from the ear temperature, and a communication device for notifying a delivery sign signal due to the temperature drop issued from the discrimination circuit and / or An alarm device is provided.

  The delivery monitoring device according to claim 2, comprising an electromagnetic induction oscillator attached to one of the opposite pudendal parts of the animal mother and an electromagnetic induction receiver attached to the other, wherein the oscillator and the receiver The interval distance is adjusted to a distance where induction electromotive force is possible in the state of both vulva during normal times, and a distance where induction electromotive force is impossible in the open state of both vulva just before delivery, and the induction electromotive force is impossible. Both the pre-delivery signal output from the circuit for detecting the pre-delivery and the pre-delivery signal according to claim 1 are connected to the communication device and / or the alarm device.

  A delivery monitoring device according to a third aspect is the one according to the first aspect, wherein the communication device is a wireless communication device.

  The delivery monitoring device according to claim 4 is the delivery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination circuit is connected to a timer that measures the ear temperature at regular time intervals, at regular time intervals, or in real time. It is characterized by that.

  The delivery monitoring device according to claim 5 is the delivery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination circuit detects the temperature drop of at least 0.3 ° C.

  The delivery monitoring device according to a sixth aspect is the one according to the first aspect, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor, an infrared sensor, a thermocouple, or a resistance temperature detector.

  The delivery monitoring method according to claim 7 measures the ear temperature of an animal mother whose delivery is to be monitored, and notifies a predictor of delivery when a temperature drop exceeding the fluctuation range of the ear temperature at normal times before delivery is detected. It is characterized by that.

  The delivery monitoring method according to claim 8, when detecting the temperature drop according to claim 7, detects the interval between the vulva facing each other of the animal mother, closes both vulva in normal time, and immediately before delivery. It distinguishes from the open state of both vulva in the case, and if it is in the open state of both vulva just before the delivery, it notifies the immediately before delivery.

  A delivery monitoring method according to a ninth aspect is the one according to the seventh aspect, wherein the ear temperature is an eardrum temperature.

  Since the delivery monitoring device of the present invention attaches a small temperature sensor, oscillator, and receiver to an animal mother whose delivery is to be monitored, the mother and fetus are not damaged, and the animal is not restrained or painful. Moreover, since it is not necessary to sterilize and sterilize the temperature sensor, the oscillator / receiver, it is simple, and this device can be attached even without a veterinarian's qualification.

  This delivery monitoring device is a sign of delivery that the start of delivery is approaching after several to several tens of hours when a decrease in ear temperature is detected even when a breeder or the like is waiting in a remote place or taking a nap. Trigger a notification. This device also triggers a warning just before delivery when the vulva begins to open.

  Since the ear temperature, particularly the eardrum temperature, is not easily affected by fluctuations in the outside air, according to the delivery monitoring method using this device, it is possible to accurately and reliably report a delivery predictor when the ear temperature is lowered. In addition, after the notification of the sign, when the vulva opens, it can be notified that it is just before delivery. Even if there is no report of a pre-delivery sign because the ear temperature drop is so small that it was not discriminated, there is no risk of missing a delivery by reporting immediately before delivery. By this notification, the breeder or the like can rush to the animal mother immediately before delivery, attend the delivery, provide appropriate assistance, and take appropriate measures to save the life of the newborn and the mother. Furthermore, in the case of abnormal delivery, it is possible to receive treatment from a veterinarian or the like promptly.

  The delivery monitoring method using this device does not require patrol or video monitoring work, can reduce the working hours of the breeders, and can contribute to the cost reduction of livestock production and the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of carrying out a delivery monitoring method by ear temperature measurement using a delivery monitoring device to which the present invention is applied.

  The delivery monitoring device 1 includes a temperature sensor 3 that is an infrared sensor inserted into the outer ear 5 of the animal mother 9, a circuit box 10 connected to the animal mother 9 and attached to the animal mother 9, and wirelessly connected to the animal mother 9 from the animal mother 9. The communication device 20 is installed in a remote place, for example, a management building adjacent to a barn.

  As shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the circuit box 10 includes a temperature detection circuit 12, a temperature discrimination circuit 13, a filter 14, and a transmission circuit 15 that are connected to the temperature sensor 3 through a power supply 17, a timer 11, and an expandable lead wire 4. Are connected and built in that order. The transmission circuit 15 is connected to a transmission antenna 16 printed on the outer surface of the circuit box 10.

  The temperature sensor 3 is a thermal infrared sensor made of a thermistor that is a metal oxide or a semiconductor, and measures the ear temperature using the fact that its electrical resistance changes according to the temperature. The timer 11 is a time switch that operates the temperature detection circuit 12 every predetermined time. The temperature detection circuit 12 is an A / D converter that performs analog-digital conversion on the output of the thermistor electrical resistance of the temperature sensor 3. The temperature discriminating circuit 13 sequentially stores the ear temperature values obtained by analog-digital conversion, and detects the ear temperature at the same time on the previous day, for example, the ear temperature and the previous time before the delivery sign sequentially stored therein. A reader that reads out the latest ear temperature values, a subtraction circuit that calculates the latest ear temperature value from the normal ear temperature value, and the obtained subtraction result value and the set threshold value It comprises a digital comparator for comparison, and a switching element that causes a signal current to flow when the temperature drop exceeds a threshold value due to the comparison. The filter 14 is a filter circuit that removes the signal current when the temperature drop is temporarily within a fluctuation range of one day and is temporary.

  The communication device 20 is for receiving a signal from the transmission antenna 16 and notifying that the start of labor is imminent by voice or an image, or for placing it on a network. As shown in the block circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the communication device 20 includes a reception circuit 22 connected to the reception antenna 21, a network connection circuit 23 connected thereto, an alarm sound circuit 24, and a speaker 25. The network connection circuit 23 is a signal control circuit for connecting to the Internet or a mobile phone.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery monitoring device 1 is used for an animal mother 9 such as a cow which should be monitored soon after delivery.

  Maternal animals with a clear pregnancy date several days before the expected date of delivery, or in animal mothers whose pregnancy date cannot be confirmed, when there are signs of delivery that are empirically expected to be due to appearance or behavior, such as the vulva. The delivery monitoring device 1 is attached when swelling occurs or milk oozes from the teat or appetite decreases. For example, if the animal mother body 9 is a cow or mare, the delivery monitoring device 1 is attached more than half a day before the predicted delivery date, preferably 1 to 7 days before.

  First, the temperature sensor 3 at the tip of the lead wire 4 is inserted into the outer ear 5 of the animal mother body 9. The temperature sensor 3 is installed in the vicinity of the eardrum 6 between the outer ear 5 and the middle ear 7. The temperature sensor 3 is fastened with an earplug such as a sponge so that the temperature sensor 3 does not move or fall off. The bag 2 in which the circuit box 10 is accommodated is fixed to the back of the animal body 9 with a belt while allowing a lead wire 4 that extends from the ear and can be expanded and contracted like a curl cord in the middle.

  By measuring the thermistor electrical resistance value of the temperature sensor 3 at predetermined time intervals, for example, every hour in response to an instruction from the timer 11, and converting the output thereof from analog to digital by the temperature detection circuit 12, the eardrum temperature, which is an ear temperature, is measured. Is detected.

  The eardrum temperature is generally higher several days before delivery than before pregnancy, and slightly higher in the evening than in the morning, with some fluctuations depending on food intake and temperature, etc., but several days before delivery The daily fluctuation pattern of the eardrum temperature during normal times is substantially the same. The eardrum temperature varies somewhat depending on the animal species and individual, but if the animal 9 is a cow, the eardrum temperature is 12 to 36 hours before delivery, approximately 24 hours before delivery until delivery, as shown in FIG. It falls by about 0.3 to 1 ° C. and an average of about 0.5 ° C. from the fluctuation range of the eardrum temperature during normal times. In the case of a mare, the average temperature decreases by about 1 ° C.

  When the eardrum temperature is detected by the temperature detection circuit 12, the temperature discrimination circuit 13 operates as follows. First, the eardrum temperature is sequentially stored in the memory. The reader reads out both the latest ear temperature of the day detected earlier and the normal temperature before delivery, for example, the ear temperature at the same time on the previous day, stored in the reader. Then, the value of the ear temperature of the day is subtracted from the value of the ear temperature of the previous day by a subtraction circuit. A digital comparator compares the obtained subtraction result value with the threshold value preset to 0.5 ° C., the average value of the temperature drop of the cow's delivery sign. According to the comparison, when the threshold value is exceeded, that is, when the temperature is lower than 0.5 ° C., the switching element passes a signal current. In this way, the temperature discrimination circuit 13 discriminates a temperature drop.

  When a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute elapses, the next instruction is issued from the timer 11, the eardrum temperature is detected in the same manner, and if the temperature is lowered, a signal current flows, and this series of operations is repeated. If the temperature decrease continues, the signal current flows in the same cycle as the predetermined time by the timer 11. At this time, the filter 14 passes this signal current. Receiving it, the transmission circuit 15 modulates the signal current and transmits a radio signal from the transmission antenna 16. On the other hand, if the signal current does not flow again after a predetermined time by the timer because it is within the range of the fluctuation range of the daily fluctuation pattern of the eardrum temperature, the signal current The cycle in which the current flows is longer than the predetermined time. At this time, the filter 14 blocks the passage of this signal current. The transmission circuit 15 does not transmit a radio signal.

  The radio wave signal transmitted from the transmitting antenna 16 is received by the receiving circuit 22 via the receiving antenna 21, and is notified by the alarm sound circuit 24 from the speaker 25 with a sound for notifying a delivery sign, for example, a chime sound at intervals of 5 seconds. Alternatively, this is communicated and notified to the breeder or the like via the network connection circuit 23 via the Internet or a mobile phone. Such notification allows the breeder and the like to know that delivery should start several hours to several tens of hours after the eardrum temperature has decreased.

  The eardrum temperature may be measured in the morning and evening according to instructions from the timer 11, or may be measured at regular time intervals of about several minutes to several hours, or in real time. The example of measuring the eardrum temperature, which is an example of the temperature in the vicinity of the eardrum, as the ear temperature with the temperature sensor 3 has been shown. However, the earphone is covered with a heat insulating cover so as not to be affected by the vagina temperature or the outside air temperature. Skin temperature may be measured. Moreover, although the temperature sensor 3 was connected to the circuit of the circuit box 10 as a relay by wire, the temperature sensor 3 may be connected to the circuit of the circuit box 10 via a wireless device. The circuit box 10 and the communication device 20 may be integrated. The bag 2 containing the circuit box 10 may be attached to the collar.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, after notification of a pre-delivery sign, the start of parturition is monitored by attaching an oscillator 37 and a receiver 38, as shown in FIG. This is reported immediately before the start of labor.

  The oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 are connected to a circuit in the circuit box 30 as shown in FIG. 4 showing a block circuit diagram. This is wirelessly connected to the communication device 20 similar to FIG.

  The oscillator 37 is an oscillation coil for electromagnetic induction, and a chain line 37a is an electromagnetic wave oscillation region. The receiver 38 is a receiving coil that detects an oscillating electromagnetic wave oscillated from the oscillator 37 and generates an alternating current. A chain line 38a is an electromagnetic wave receiving area. Connected to the oscillation coil 37 are a local oscillation circuit 31 connected to the power source 35, a modulation circuit 32 connected to the clock pulse generation circuit 33, and an amplification circuit 34. A transmission antenna 44 is connected to the receiver 38 through an amplifier circuit 40, a setting circuit 41, a filter 42, and a transmission circuit 43 connected to the power source 35. The transmission antenna 44 is printed on the outer surface of the circuit box 30. The filter 42 is a filter circuit that removes a temporary signal current due to urination or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a circuit box 30 is attached to the waist and back of the animal mother body 9, which has been informed by the delivery monitoring device 1 that the start of delivery is imminent, with an adhesive. The oscillator 37 connected to the circuit box 30 with the expansion / contraction cord 36 is bonded to one outer shadow portion 47, and the receiver 38 connected to the expansion / contraction cord 39 is bonded to the other outer shadow portion 48 so as to face the oscillator 37.

  At this time, the distance between the oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 is adjusted as follows in relation to each output power and reception sensitivity, and functions as a distance sensor. As shown in FIG. 5, the oscillator 37 and the receiver are arranged so that the electromagnetic wave oscillation area 37 a and the electromagnetic wave reception area 38 a (see FIG. 4) overlap with each other in a state in which both the vulva parts 47 and 48 are closed before the start of labor. Adjust the distance to 38. At this time, the receiver 38 can detect the oscillating electromagnetic wave oscillated from the oscillator 37. In addition, the sensitivity of the receiver 38 to detect the oscillating electromagnetic wave is clearly reduced when both the vulva 47 and 48 are opened (not shown) immediately before delivery, and the electromagnetic wave oscillation area 37a and the electromagnetic wave reception area 38a The distance between the oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 is adjusted so as to be separated from each other. At this time, the receiver 38 cannot detect the oscillating electromagnetic wave from the oscillator 37.

  The distance varies from animal to animal. The fetus of many animals comes out of the mother body in the order of forelimb, head, torso, and hindlimbs at the time of delivery, but the head has the largest diameter and takes time to pass through the birth canal. Therefore, the open state of both vulvae at the time of predicting delivery is a numerical value smaller than the diameter of the head of the fetus, that is, the distance between both vulva at the timing when the forelimb starts to appear, and the distance between the oscillator 37 and the receiver 38. Set. From the average measurement of the size of the head of many animals, the distance is around 12 cm for large animals such as cattle and horses, and 5 to 5 for medium animals such as pigs, sheep and goats. About 7 cm, 1 to 2 cm for small animals such as rabbits, rats and minks, and pets such as dogs and cats vary in size, but about 3 to 5 cm is appropriate.

  The local oscillation circuit 31 oscillates upon receiving power supply from the power supply 35, and according to the pulse signal generated from the clock pulse generation circuit 33, an AC modulation signal is output from the modulation circuit 32 at regular intervals and amplified by the amplification circuit 34. Then, an electromagnetic wave is oscillated from the oscillation coil 37.

  During normal times before the start of labor, both the vulva parts 47 and 48 are closed and the distance between the oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 is close. Is amplified. When the setting circuit 41 determines that the electromotive force is greater than or equal to the threshold value, a signal that delivery has not started is transmitted from the transmission antenna 44 via the transmission circuit 43. When the electromotive current of the receiver 38 temporarily weakens or stops due to urination, insects, etc., such an abnormal operation signal is removed by the filter 42.

  Immediately before delivery, both vulva parts 47 and 48 are opened, the distance between the oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 is increased, and the electromagnetic wave receiving area 38a is separated from the electromagnetic wave oscillating area 37a, so that the electromotive current of the receiver 38 is stopped. To do. When the setting circuit 41 determines that the electromotive current is less than or equal to the threshold value, a signal radio wave indicating that delivery has started is transmitted from the transmission antenna 44 via the transmission circuit 43.

  The radio wave signal is received by the communication device 20 shown in FIG. When the radio signal is received by the receiving circuit 22, the speaker 25 notifies the user of a sound for warning immediately before delivery, for example, a chime sound at intervals of 1 second. Alternatively, this is communicated and notified to the breeder or the like via the network connection circuit 23 via the Internet or a mobile phone. By such notification, the breeder or the like can rush to the place where the animal mother 9 is approaching delivery.

  In addition, although the example which mounted | wore the oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 after the notification of the delivery sign by the temperature sensor was shown, they may be mounted simultaneously with the temperature sensor.

  Below, the example which mounts the delivery monitoring apparatus 1 to an animal is shown. By using the delivery monitoring device 1 having the circuit configuration of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery monitoring device 1 is attached to the cow approximately one week before the expected delivery date, which is 280 days after the artificial insemination date. The eardrum temperature is measured once every morning and evening. The temperature change is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the eardrum temperature in the morning was about 38.9 ° C. 7 days before delivery, but increased by about 0.2 ° C. until 2 days before delivery after that date. On the other hand, the eardrum temperature in the evening was about 39.5 ° C. 7 to 2 days before delivery. One day before delivery, the eardrum temperature in the morning and evening was also decreased by 0.3 to 0.5 ° C.

  The temperature discrimination circuit 13 detects that the eardrum temperature drop of 0.5 ° C. in the evening has significantly exceeded the fluctuation range of the temperature fluctuation pattern of the day, and the transmission circuit 15 transmits a radio signal, which is transmitted to the communication device. When received at 20, a warning sound is heard from the speaker 25 that is 36 to 12 hours before delivery in the ranch management building.

  The breeder who heard it goes to the cow and attaches the circuit box 30 having the oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 having the circuit configuration of FIG. The oscillator 37 and the receiver 38 are coils wound around a magnetic core (2 mm × 10 mm, thickness 2 mm), and the distance between the oscillator coil 37 and the receiver coil 38 is most appropriate for a cow. Adjust to the assumed 12 cm. When the breeder returns to ranch management and stands by, a warning sound for starting delivery flows from the speaker 25. Immediately rush to this cow. It is possible to provide appropriate delivery assistance at the right time when the forelimb of the newborn begins to come out of the mother. Moreover, there is no time waste.

  The delivery monitoring device of the present invention is a display animal that is bred in domestic animals such as large animals (cattle, horses, etc.), middle animals (pigs, sheep, goats, etc.) and small animals (eg, rabbits, rats, minks, etc.), zoos, etc. It can be used to monitor the delivery of various animals such as pets, and the monitoring of humans. Moreover, it can be used not only for the birth of these mammals but also for the monitoring of avian spawning.

It is a figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the delivery monitoring method using the delivery monitoring apparatus by the ear temperature measurement to which this invention is applied.

It is a block diagram which shows one embodiment of the delivery monitoring apparatus to which this invention is applied.

It is a figure which shows the time-dependent change of the ear temperature measured in the delivery monitoring method to which this invention is applied.

It is a block diagram of the circuit which is used for another delivery monitoring method to which this invention is applied, and has an oscillator and a receiver.

It is a figure which shows the state before the delivery start which used the delivery monitoring method to which this invention is applied, and equipped the cow with the circuit box which has an oscillator and a receiver.

Explanation of symbols

  1 is a delivery monitoring device, 2 is a bag, 3 is a temperature sensor, 4 is a lead wire, 5 is an outer ear, 6 is an eardrum, 7 is a middle ear, 9 is an animal mother whose delivery should be monitored, 10 is a circuit box, 11 is Timer, 12 Temperature detection circuit, 13 Temperature discrimination circuit, 14 Filter, 15 Transmission circuit, 16 Transmission antenna, 17 Power supply, 20 Communication device, 21 Reception antenna, 22 Reception circuit, 23 Network connection Circuit, 24 alarm sound circuit, 25 speaker, 30 circuit box, 31 local oscillation circuit, 32 modulation circuit, 33 clock pulse generation circuit, 34 amplification circuit, 35 power supply, 36 telescopic cord, 37 Is an oscillator, 37a is an electromagnetic wave oscillation region, 38 is a receiver, 38a is an electromagnetic wave reception region, 39 is a telescopic cord, 40 is an amplifier circuit, 41 is a setting circuit, 42 is a filter, 43 is a transmission circuit, 4 transmit antennas, 47-48 is a vulva.

Claims (9)

  A temperature sensor for measuring the ear temperature of the mother to be monitored for delivery, and a circuit for discriminating a temperature drop exceeding the fluctuation range of the ear temperature in normal times before delivery from the ear temperature detected by the temperature sensor. A delivery monitoring device comprising a communication device and / or an alarm device for notifying a delivery predictor signal due to the temperature drop output from the discrimination circuit.   An electromagnetic induction oscillator attached to one of the opposite pudendal parts of the animal body and an electromagnetic induction receiver attached to the other, the distance between the oscillator and the receiver being in the state of both genitals in normal times The distance that can be induced electromotive force, adjusted to the distance that can not be induced electromotive force in the open state of both vulva immediately before delivery, a signal immediately before delivery that is output from a circuit that detects the inability of induced electromotive force, A delivery monitoring device characterized in that both signals of the delivery predictive signal according to claim 1 are connected to the communication device and / or the alarm device.   The delivery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a wireless communication device.   The delivery monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination circuit is connected to a timer that measures the ear temperature at regular time intervals, at regular time intervals, or in real time.   The delivery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the discrimination circuit detects the temperature drop of at least 0.3 ° C.   The delivery monitor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor, an infrared sensor, a thermocouple, or a resistance temperature detector.   A delivery monitoring method characterized by measuring an ear temperature of an animal mother whose delivery is to be monitored, and notifying a sign of delivery when a temperature drop exceeding the fluctuation range of the ear temperature during normal times before delivery is detected.   When detecting the temperature drop according to claim 7, the interval between the vulva facing each other of the animal mother is detected, and the closed state of both vulva in normal time and the open state of both vulva immediately before delivery are discriminated. And a delivery monitoring method characterized by notifying immediately before delivery if both vulva are open immediately before delivery.   The delivery monitoring method according to claim 7, wherein the ear temperature is a tympanic temperature.

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