Chullin 68: Status of the Fetus when an Animal Undergoes Shechita

We begin perek IV today which is devoted to animals that have difficulty while giving birth.  If the mother is slaughtered while a fetus is in its womb, the rabbis must determine the status of the fetus.

The mother is slaughtered and may be eaten.  Ritual slaughter would allow all parts of the animal to be eaten.  This would include the fetus.   If the fetus is developed and viable after its mother's death, is it an independent entity?  Does it require its own shechita?  If it is not independent from its mother, how are other parts of the animal not normally eaten affected?

The Mishna illustrates these questions by describing a case where this is likely to occur.  When the fetus' front leg first exits the womb, we know that the animal is in distress.  Normally front legs come out first.  The Mishna teaches us that the fetus is permitted when its mother is slaughtered.  If the head comes out first then the fetus is now an independent entity and as such it is not permitted via its mother's slaughter.