going in?

ann fr · #1 05/14/08, 04:42 PM

I have a doe that has had me thinking for 3 days now that she may be going into labour. But no pushing ,groaning,ect.
On Monday I had company come by to pick up one of my goats that she had wanted to show this year.While she was here I said I thought this goat might be in labour soon.Well she flet her up and said she thought she already was in labour.Ligs gone ,breathing a little heavy. I thought my goat was just nerveus with these ladies but she when in to check and said she wasn,t sure her cervex was open or not and left saying to expect babies in a few hours.

Sorry no kidds yet I went in to check today because I was worried that maybe she was having a problem.her ligs still seem to be gone.But I could not feel anything.
She's eatting well.No hard breathing since monday.No signs of pushing. But I'm worried,Ive never had to check a doe before and was not sure what I should feel.And how far to go.
Oh her udder is not tight yet but it has become a bit fuller the past few days.

I'm I too worried?
Ann.

BlueHeronFarm · #2 05/14/08, 04:50 PM

I'd just hang in there. I think she'll do it on her own soon. The udder is always my best indicator. The shallow breathing is often pre-labor - but just as often it is the fact that it's so exerting for them to do anything when they get near the end and they are really big.

ann fr · #3 05/14/08, 05:00 PM

Thank you this is how I felt but having this lady that has much more years with goats seem so concerned about my goat that she said she had to go in and check to mack sure she was not having a kid in brech position had me soo worried. I thought since she wasn't pushing at all that my doe was fine.

Goat Servant · #4 05/14/08, 05:02 PM

I am no expert by any stretch the imagination but from what I understand the ligs can be gone, tighten up again and then loosen up over several days.
Try to relax and let the doe do her job. I don't go in unless she is in obvious prolonged pain during contractions and/or there is a head sticking out with no legs.
It has been my limited experience that if you have some sort of dystocia it will be beyond a shadow of a doubt..the kid will be right there but postioned wrong you won't have to fish unless legs are tangled, kid is backwards or head is flopped to the side.
And even with breech kids, you make sure the head is not flopped and pull with contractions. Again this will all be obvious in that the kid is right there... hind legs are either sticking out or right inside.

ann fr · #5 05/14/08, 05:10 PM

Yes I've had to help pull a few kids this year but always with contractions,and only 1 was breech but he was the second kid out and I just had to pull a little to help.

I'm off to do my evening chores/milking felling much more at ease now.

Thank you.

KimM · #6 05/15/08, 08:18 AM

I don't go by ligaments, I've had too many go completely soft for days and days. So far, every doe has had great pronounced enlargement of their udder a day before kidding. In addition to udder filling, I watch for sinking flanks and the deep dipping beside the tailhead. Every single time I see all three of these signs, my does kidded within 24 hours.
How's your doe today?

Shazza · #7 05/15/08, 08:31 AM

I used to go by all the ligaments etc...now I watch the udder and the minute it goes tight and shiny is when babies come. But who knows what they'll do in the pre-kidding this year.

Sweet Goats · #8 05/15/08, 12:16 PM

Well, I do feel for the ligs, but I do not become set on them, and the same with the utter. I have goats that do not get a big utter at all until AFTER the baby comes. It seem like once they start licking the baby and the baby starts to nurse then the bad just blows up. Now these are not dairy goats either. Some get the big bag and others nope.

Also, if she had a baby in the breach position and was really in labor you would know. She would be up and down like crazy.

Take a deep breath and play the waiting game. It is LOADS of fun

HomesteadBaker · #9 05/15/08, 01:57 PM

I had a goat "tease" me like that for about 3 days...... thought she was in labor, but I think it was all pre-labor of trying to align the QUADS she delivered on the 12th!

Keep us posted.

Kitty

Goat Servant · #10 05/15/08, 11:03 PM

I've given up trying to figure them out cause they usually outsmart me!! If they are due a certain week no matter how close I watch they will go having them whenever they want REGARDLESS of signs.
This yr an FF was bagged for almost a month. One day her dam was looking up at the kidding barn so I brought her up and it was like "OK I just want to make sure my suite is ready." She waddled back out and had them the next day outside.
Meantime I get her sister into kidding barn and another one. While I was busy with Kiddingbarn Gazer who had just kidded outside I get the great news that someone else is kidding.
So all wombs broke loose over about 3 days Im so worn out I cant see straight so it was time for FF to empty her uterus out at the hay feeder, one minute she's just standing there and the next down & in labor.
Last year everyone was locked in kidding pens for a good week before they went. I decided I wouldnt do it that way again...too much cleaning to do.
Sorry for the long roll.
And yes, please do keep do keep us posted!!

ann fr · #11 05/16/08, 06:14 AM

Well she kidded yesterday afternoon.I knew for sure she was going when her udder got tight and full.She also was self nursing.But she had a little trouble.I had to go in and find the kids front legs,only the head was coming out and another kid on top.It was a little rough for me but everyone was fine in the end.She had the biggest buckling I've had born here and a doeling.I'm trying to load photos.

ann fr · #12 05/16/08, 06:19 AM

Heres a link for photos if anyone wants to look.

www.msnusers.com/annsphotos

BlueHeronFarm · #13 05/16/08, 06:57 AM

Congratulations.

Sounds like you are quite good at going in when you need to. Way to go.

Shazza · #14 05/16/08, 07:55 AM

Beautiful babies...glad all worked out for you. Cheers.

Goat Servant · #15 05/16/08, 11:55 PM

Whoohoo! Congrats on those cuties!!

ann fr · #16 05/17/08, 09:03 AM

I was scared everytime ,but I figured I had no choice but to help.It's just me here and my son is to little to help too much.
I'm happy everyone is done kidding for this year.Now I just have to settle everyone to the milk stand ( without them fight it )

Total Bucklings 7

Doelings 8

From 9 does, 5 were FF