Kid Questions and Fetal development!

[MeganA19]

Okay, these are all things that I can and trust me DID Google, but I thought it would be better to get real answers from real experienced people, and see the differences between goats, because as I understand, they are all different. So I hope no one minds answering some of these questions for the millionth time, or shaking their head at the stupidity of some.

Anyway, I have two (possibly and hopefully) pregnant goats, both of them (should) be around 4 months and they will both be first fresheners. They are just now starting to either elongate their teats or grow little udder bumps under each one. Sound normal so far?
Also when does the most visible growth appear and has anyone had a goat that didn't look pregnant at all? Ellie, my younger doe, has a pretty round belly but doesn't really stick out on the right side, Suzanne on the other side does stick out on the right side as well as the left and also has a round belly.
I have not felt baby movement for sure, I thought I did but not sure, and I have tried to hear fetal heartbeats with a stethoscope but also am having no luck there. Might not be able to hear them with that at all, but who knows.
Also there ligaments are a bit looser the past two days, not a ton but it's noticeable. Is this normal a month before kidding?

Thank you for any and all answers. It's appreciated!

 

[bloonskiller911]

http://www.goatbiology.com/animations/gestcalculator.html
there is a short list of answers here that I still refer back too. also I just keep watching for swollen lady parts and mucus. sure signs, where as udders are not always great indicators imo.

 

[kinder]

My vet. said one wouldn't be able to hear the different heart beats. And if it's the first time along mo., 4 the udder will drop. I was told not to let my first timers gain too much weight= big babies = possible problems with birthing.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Udders? Some don't show much until the last two weeks. Some, with 2 months to go.
I've had a doe who didn't look fat, who had quads. Some are huge, and had a single kid.
Some, the more they pack into their stomach, causes the right side to poke out more.
No, their ligaments are not getting looser a month before kidding.
You however, are getting really stressed a month before kidding.

 

[bloonskiller911]

yes udders.
udder
[ ˈədər ]
NOUN
noun: udder · plural noun: udders

1. 
   the mammary gland of female cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and related ungulates, a baglike organ with two or more teats hanging near the hind legs.

 

[norseofcourse]

I've got sheep, not goats, but hope you don't mind my chiming in

Brosa, a first-timer, started showing udder development last spring on March 21, and gave birth on May 27 - so that was over two months. I also tried to check ligaments on her, either it's different on sheep or I wasn't doing it right, because they started feeling loose April 16, and felt totally gone by April 23rd.

I tortured myself by recording - twice a day - things like her udder (how it looked, whether it felt hot or cool, soft or tight); appetite; vulva (color, appearance); and any unusual behaviors I noticed. I took pictures. I told myself I wasn't stressing, I was just being observant

Of my other two ewes that gave birth this spring, Rose was huge and triplets would not have surprised me. She had one. Gracie wasn't all that big, I expected another single. She had twins.

OFA is right, and it's easy to stress out, especially the first few years. In fact I think it's expected . This will be my third lambing season this next spring, and I think (hope) I'm getting better at reading my sheep's signs, and realizing that every time they paw, lay down, walk away from the others, look at their side, or hold their tail funny, it does *not* always mean OMGTheyAreAboutToGiveBirth!!

Good luck with your goats!

 

[OneFineAcre]

yes udders.
udder
[ ˈədər ]
NOUN
noun: udder · plural noun: udders

1. 
   the mammary gland of female cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and related ungulates, a baglike organ with two or more teats hanging near the hind legs.

Apparently you thought I was addressing you
I was not

 

[bloonskiller911]

My bad, I was the only one who had posted the word "udders", it just seemed that way from the post, since you used a question mark.

 

[MeganA19]

Thanks everyone for your great responses, OneFineAcre, LOL you are right about me stressing, don't think I really realized though until now.

Norseofcourse, ME TOO with the documenting! I thought I was the only one, haha, And I'm really glad you put in your experience too.

it's just so frustrating not really knowing if they are pregnant or not, one day I think they are, the next... not so sure, guess I'll only no for sure when I see a baby coming out! The udders dropping is a good way to think about it, I hadn't considered that particular verbage (sp?) and that is exactly what their Udders are looking like now. Because if they we'rent bred at all and had never had babies all they would have are teats right?

 

[OneFineAcre]

My bad, I was the only one who had posted the word "udders", it just seemed that way from the post, since you used a question mark.

Typo
Should have been a coma