labor and delivery reminder

[Alice In TX/MO]

Just a thought for newbies to keep in mind....

Goat labor and delivery is FAST. If you see a goat in active labor over an hour, something is wrong if you aren't seeing two hooves with a nose in between by that time.

[punchiepal]

Our "rule" is when they get down to the real business they get 20 minutes before we check on presentation.

[yarrow]

Here.. we have the 3 *REAL* pushes rule.. if a doe is serious and gives 3 big pushes without toes appearing.. (I'm talking leg straightening, grunting..tight faced pushes)... I wash up/lube up and slide fingers in deep enough to at least check for presentation... most times it's a simple fix.. one finger used to flip a foot forward..(other times it will be more of a serious malpresention and I might go from a simple feel and check to literally elbow deep in a doe, untangling kids, getting heads straight ect).. remember the quicker you find out you have a problem.. the easier it is to fix.. Doe is still strong and feeling good.. kid/kids are in distress yet.. no swelling or other tissue damage from hours upon hours of trying to push out badly presented kids.. Much better to get in there and find out what's going on.. then to wait too long and loose kids and/or mom... (the waiting to long will happen again and again on this board.. post after post.. sadly it happens every kidding season.. so much heatache and sadness & lives lost could be advoided by folks being a little more hand's on, when a problem (or possible problem) comes up.... many times people are afraid of hurting their doe (or them getting infected).. neither happen often.. esp if you wash up and use a good lube.. much better then dead kids..

susie, mo ozarks

[CJBegins]

If I can add to this great info......if things just don't seem right such as no big pushs or grunting with breathing or a lethargic doe also warrants a vaginal/kid position check.

[Alice In TX/MO]

ABSOLUTELY! If the doe was in labor and stops, it's a HUGE BAD SCARY problem.

[Cannon_Farms]

I always tell folks to watch a few you tube videos, the website has to be good for something from time to time

[anita_fc]

This is a very helpful thread. I have been trying to learn the proper balance between watching and helping. Initially I think I was too quick to intervene, and then the next year waited a bit too long... at least, from reading these comments. I am hoping to arrive at that comfortable mid point where I have more confidence and less anxiety over deciding when it's time to go in and check.

Thank you for sharing your benchmarks! It helps!

Anita

[Pony]

If you can't access the net (and really, we all need to familiarize/refresh our memories on possible presentations), Yarrow is VERY good at describing how to close your eyes and visualize the kid inside.

[LoneStrChic23]

I'm a worry wort.... I give them about 30 minutes after real labor starts, then glove up and do a pelvic....It's easier for me to rearrange if needed before they are partially out

Good reminder Alice