In labor.. or not... help me!!!

[Bricheze]

So it's storming bad outside, I just spent 2 hours with my Lamancha goat that appeared to be in labor. She was having contractions 3-4 minutes apart, she was past a her due date, she was acting VERY affectionate (much, much, much more then usual), and she was pawing at the ground and acting very restless.

These three girls that work at the farm came to help me, and they looked at her and said that she 'wasn't broken up' and not in labor. So I came home. What does it mean to 'not be broken up' ? Does it always mean they aren't in labor?

I am REALLY worried about my unborn kids. I heard that they usually give birth after a storm. But they were saying they usually kid before. I still don't fully believe that she isn't in labor, and I don't want my kids or mama to do die from complications because I'm not there.

So can someone tell me what it means to 'not be broken up' and how do I tell what that is in the future?

[kreddish]

If she is acting unusual... she is in labor or getting close to it. You just need to be patient and let it happen on its own Good luck!!! And check on her every two hours... you just might find a beautiful little kid!!!!

[Bricheze]

Originally Posted by kreddish

If she is acting unusual... she is in labor or getting close to it. You just need to be patient and let it happen on its own Good luck!!! And check on her every two hours... you just might find a beautiful little kid!!!!

Ok so if she has any complications I shouldn't be there to save the kids? Last time my other goat started hemorrhaging and almost died. I am worried. I want to be there every step of the way.

Will someone just explain what "Not broken up" means? I have never heard this terminology before.

[RiverPines]

They may be talking about the ligs. When the ligs go the tail looks kinda broken, cant stand up straight. The area around the lower area of the spine gets sunken in looking and you can wrap your fingers around the base of the spine because the ligaments inside has turned to mush.

If she hasnt lost those ligs, you have time. If she has you have 24 hours or less for the most part.

Contractions can happen for days, sometimes a week or so to, before anything really important happens.

[Bricheze]

That's what I am thinking now. Is it possible for their ligs to not dissapear? I read somewhere that they will go away and come back and go away again (rarely). I'm just wondering if her ligs aren't gone, is it still possible for her to be in labor? Because everything else about her was screaming labor.

[RiverPines]

Originally Posted by Bricheze

That's what I am thinking now. Is it possible for their ligs to not dissapear? I read somewhere that they will go away and come back and go away again (rarely). I'm just wondering if her ligs aren't gone, is it still possible for her to be in labor? Because everything else about her was screaming labor.

They have to go away in order for the kids to come out! She may be in early labor but that can last for days.

I wouldnt worry till the ligs are gone and she is pushing.

Yes they can come and go. My Jasper just did that to me for almost 2 weeks, I think it was.
But when they went and stayed gone, it was over very quickly and a perfect birthing of twins with no help from us needed.
I thought she was over due at first but came to realize after a week had come and gone that she didnt take on the first breeding. It was the second breeding and she was actually right on time.

[Bricheze]

Okay so I went back to check on her. I felt around her tail head and it was really soft, I could stick my fingers under on both sides 1 or 2 inches with ease. I compared her with my other goat that kidded 6 weeks ago and she was really hard compared to the one that is supposed to be kidding. I couldn't feel anything like 'pencils' so I am pretty sure they are gone. The girls that told me she wasn't 'broken up' never felt her, so I am pretty sure they were just saying she didn't look broken up, but she never felt for the actual ligaments. I think I saw her contract once before I left, so there might be kids in the morning!

Oh and she started having contractions a week ago... so unless if they contract like 9 days beforehand I am pretty sure she should have them within the next 12-24 hours

[LaManchaPaul]

Do you have any beautiful-eyed little fluffballs this morning?

[Madfarmer]

"Broken up", so far as I know, means absolutely nothing, aside from the fact that you're entrusting the care of your goat to an ignoramus. Is there any vaginal discharge? Have the kids shifted position, i.e. has her belly bulge shifted downward & backward. Do you have calcium on hand if she needs it?

Madfarmer

[chamoisee]

I don't know what they meant by "broken up", but I can tell you that I've had does who had false/pre labor for a month before kidding, including pawing, etc. A doe who is going to kid will have a shiny tight udder, her rump is often held at a different angle, she will usually make a nest in the bedding and push with her back feet against the wall. Generally, a doe in labor has no interest in food or socializing with the other goats (as in, walking around and doing what they do) but will go off by herself in a corner of the barn somewhere.

There are always exceptions to most of these...I've had does who stood and ate hay while I pulled the kid, does who didn't bag up until after they kidded (maybe once or twice out of hundreds of kiddings) and yearlings who had no idea that the pain would result in a birth, so they kidded out in the rain, on top of sticks, in the mud.

I think that finding and checking ligaments is something that takes a lot of experience. A better indication might be is the area of the ligaments is very sensitive and painful (she will wince and try to walk away when you feel for them).

The shiny tight udder is the best indicator. Oh, and I had had does be over 160 days, too....so don't stress if yours is a couple days over the 150 mark.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Broken up means nothing other than they know less than you do, but are trying to act as if they do.

Have you had any goo dripping yet?

[kreddish]

Checking in to see if you have a baby yet?

[Goat Servant]

Come on mama doe!

[Bricheze]

I can't check on her because I am having legal issues with my car (it's complicated...) and I don't have my bike which is how I have been getting around. My teacher was going there to check on her, but apparently he broke his hand. So now I am totally left out in the dark for a few more hours

[kreddish]

OK... any news?

[hoofinitnorth]

What's happening with this doe?