New Baby

Had to actually deliver a baby goat this morning. First time this ever happened. I could tell Mom was having problems. I gave her two hours to deliver but I saw nothing happening so I knew she was in trouble. I've never done this before (nor ever wanted to!). Fortunately I have surgical gloves (I use those when I make soap). So I reluctantly put those on and went over to the goat barn praying all the way that I would find a newborn goat. No such luck! Mom was still have problems.

Upon examination (now doesn't that sound Doctor-like), I could tell the baby was coming butt first - uh oh this is not good. So I decided to call the Vet. Of course, he wasn't available (why would he - it is after all Friday the 13th!!) - but they did tell me what to do. So I tried another big animal Vet only to be told he wasn't available either and suggested maybe I should take the goat to Ohio State (up in Columbus) - sure!!

So reluctantly I went back to the goat pen with a new pair of surgical gloves, praying that God would help me because I sure didn't know what the heck I was going to do. The idea was to push the baby back far enough to pull the legs from under it and into the birth canel - easy enough - HA!! There ain't alot of room to move around in there!! PLUS by that time you have a Mom who is totally freaking out that a human has their hands in places that humans shouldn't have their hands! I did get the baby pushed back and got one leg out. Now trying to find the other leg - not so easy. I was trying to push the baby back, but I didn't want to lose the leg I already had (won't that be great!!). Eventually I did find the other leg. According to the Vet's office, once both legs were exposed, the Mom would push the baby out. The Mom just looked at me. I looked at her and said PUSH! Nothing happened. Oh come on - I did the hard part!! So, I grabbed a towel, pulled on the legs and the baby came out. Of course, it was a boy - only a boy would be this difficult. His name is now Trouble!