I used a pair of children's sissors from the dollar store and they worked fine.. about the placentas they came out right after the babies with the next set of contractions and the last one I was very concerned because it did not come out right away, I called my vet and he told me to bring her in the morning for a shot of oxytocin, but my holistic vet told me to give her some Raspberry leaf tea and withing 20 minutes the placenta was out..
and YES I am a firm beleiver of holistic medicine combine with Normal medicine.
hugs,
cArmen in nj