Dialtion questions

[Ford Zoo]

I feel rather silly asking this, like I should know, but I need to get this clarified for myself. I see so many posts referring to dilating goats. Is this referring to just the vaginal opening, or the actual cervix?

I ask because in OB, we digitally check the cervix. But the way I read some of these posts on many forums, I'm thinking people are only referring to checking the vaginal opening itself.

So which is it?

And if people are referring to the actual cervix: How far do you have to go in to reach it? Except in some women in the very early stages of labor with a posterior cervix, I can usually reach a human cervix with only inserting 2 fingers. I keep seeing directions to reach in past the wrist with goats-perhaps that is what is confusing me?

[Minelson]

I think this is a very good question!

[Frosted Mini's]

The cervix in a goat is about half to 3/4 a hand length in. When they are fully dilated, you can get into their vagina/uterus to about elbow length.

[ShadowfaxFarm]

I've been able to reach the cervix just with two fingers if the doe is currently in labor. If my whole hand is in then they are fully dilated.