Goat Labor Questions Need Help

[KittenMittens89]

My doe's ligaments are GONE and she has been groaning moaning since 3 p.m. yesterday. At 11:00 p.m. that night she was having contractions and was pushing. All was well and coming along. It was around 1 a.m. this morning my dad and mom switched off. She was having contractions and pushing for me and my Dad. Good ones. Then Mom comes in and she didn't have any more. So question is can they keep themselves from going into labor if something bothers them? I know this may seem crazy. This goat already had at least 8 pushes not big but big enough to know for sure she IS pushing. And they were getting worse. At the time that Mom got out the dog was also barking. I thought labor was labor once you in labor your going to have that baby. Also how long should labor be? I researched and it said 4-5 hours. But I mean safely how many hours can pass before we are having problems? If she stopped pushing is something wrong? The babies are still moving a great deal. It takes like 10 seconds to see movement when she is laying. She has been nudging her side, pressing her head up against the wall, will push her feet off the wall, will unnecessarily groom herself like the same foot as if to try and find relief. All symptoms are gone except the moaning and nudging of the side. Her udder has grown like crazy. Today you would never be able to tell she had ever been in labor. Please help!

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

I would call the vet.

Also, someone more experienced than me will come along and try to answer your question, but still call the vet!

Good luck...

[prairiedog]

wash, lube up and go check

[KittenMittens89]

I have been checking on her since 3 p.m. yesterday constantly. Or are you telling me to go in? I have never had to that before and I am not sure really what to do. Please help!

[farmmom]

Scrub good (I use betadine surgical scrub), lube (if I'm out of J-lube, I use hand sanitizer), insert your hand until you meet the cervix (feels like a ring if not dilated or may not feel it if it is). If she is dilated go further in. Feel for the baby. You want to feel a nose or teeth and two feet. If you feel anything else, you need to try to locate the head and front feet and turn the baby the right direction. Having your hand in there may stimulate contractions to restart. Gently but firmly pull the front feet with each push.

It would definately not hurt to have a vet or experienced goat person to help.

[KittenMittens89]

Some additional information I forgot to add is she is a second freshener and was due March 10th. So it's not that she's late obviously. Just her having gone into labor last night has me worried. I do not know anyone that can help me in MD the only person I knew moved. All others that I know have never had to go in. It is looking more open than last night. Would a picture be of any help?

[dragonchick]

A picture always helps. Is this doe stringing any goo? Goo is usually a sign of impending labor but it can happen without it.

[KittenMittens89]

She does not have goo and did not last time either. I will get a picture on here for you all.

[KittenMittens89]

Doesn't show how swollen it is that well so I put the below picture on as well.


Sorry the pictures are so big!

[Backfourty,MI.]

If she seems alright and if nothing is wrong today, do you think it could have been false labor? Is there such a thing with goats. If she's not actually due till March 10th & she's acting normal otherwise? Can you still see the babies moving around or kicking? The streching & pushing against the wall, etc. I always think is the doe trying to posistion the kids for delivery, like she's getting ready.
Is it a bad idea to go in to check if she's not really ready? I'm asking some of these questions hoping someone that knows might answer since I have never had to go in on one of my doe's either, so maybe the answers will help you & me as well as others here.
Good Luck & I hope all goes well for all of you!

[KittenMittens89]

In a false labor wouldn't there be nothing there to be kicking and moving around? I can see babies moving. All the questions you have are what I have been wondering as well. There is something like pushing at her backend. I am so scared to hurt her.

[picklespickles]

no matter what. mine always kid while i'm at work. no matter what. so at least i come home to pretty, fluffy licked dry ones. lucky to have good mama. it happened yesterday, actually. lol.

so, not sure what you should do. i'm a watcher and waiter, less of an intervener. but that's me. someone else might disagree.

good luck

[Backfourty,MI.]

Well my doe that's due 1st this spring is not due for 3 more weeks & another 4 weeks, & I can see movement like today, it looked like to me while I was cleaning & of course they all want to be right under my feet.
I have always been lucky enough that my doe's have delivered on there own other than helping to pull a big baby a few times & drying off, etc. So I don't really want to tell you to do something if I have not been in that situation myself or know pretty much for sure. I would hate to tell you something & be wrong.

[KittenMittens89]

This may seem weird but would castor oil get her going? Also would it be safe?

[dragonchick]

False labor just means shes acting as if in labor, having braxton hicks like contractions but its not really time for babies. I call them practice contractions. When she goes into real labor you will know it. Its unmistakeable. To me it looks like she still has a bit to go, but if in doubt take her to the vet or have him come out and check.

[luvzmybabz]

Originally Posted by KittenMittens89

In a false labor wouldn't there be nothing there to be kicking and moving around? I can see babies moving. All the questions you have are what I have been wondering as well. There is something like pushing at her backend. I am so scared to hurt her.

When you say pushing at her backend. Does it look like a softball behind her opening does it stay out or in and out. Maybe a better description is it looks like some one is inside of her and is trying to push a gigantic fist out from her hole? I guess the ? backend ? are you talking about the entire skin area in the first picture. When Jordan had her baby just before presentation it looked like she was trying to pee a softball out. I hope I did not just confuse you.

[dragonchick]

I would not give anything to start her labor. It just may not be time and you could cause death to the babies and the doe.

[KittenMittens89]

Okay thanks for answering that I was just curious because I know women use it hehe.

[dragonchick]

Before our doe delivered, like weeks before, you could see the babies kicking in the tailhead area. She was not in labor. It looked really odd and it worried me as this was the first birth I had had on my little farm. Movement in the tailhead before birth is totally normal.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I wouldn't give her castor oil either. If you can see movement inside from the babies & she's eating, peeing, pooping, etc. all fine then I would wait a little longer. Like dragonchick said, maybe she's just not quite ready yet.