In cattle, especially in primiparous heifers, feto-maternal disproportion (fetal oversize relative to maternal pelvic area) accounts for roughly 45% to 50% of all dystocia cases, making it by far the most prevalent single cause, followed by abnormal fetal presentation, position, or posture.

In veterinary obstetrics, Presentation is defined as the spatial relationship between the longitudinal axis of the fetus and the longitudinal axis of the maternal birth canal (longitudinal anterior/posterior, transverse, or vertical), along with the portion of the fetus leading into or presenting at the internal pelvic inlet. Position refers to the relation of the fetal dorsum to the maternal pelvis, and Posture refers to the disposition of fetal extremities (head, neck, limbs).