Process of Parturition



Silly Lil' Baby Ruth and her newborn son, Silly Lil' Mater as in Tuhmater

The Pygmy Goat Birthing Process

Introduction

	The most important aspect of pygmy goat breeding is reproduction. Without mating, pregnancy, and birth the pygmy goat breed would not exist. After selection of the parent stock, mating and fertilization occur and result in pregnancy. The average length of gestation, or pregnancy, of a pygmy goat is five months. Gestation ends with one of the most difficult and exciting events for pygmy goat owners—parturition. Parturition, or kidding, is the process of expelling fetuses from the uterus. The uterus is the major female reproductive organ that protects and nourishes the fetus or fetuses during development.

	As a goat breeder, the first step in ensuring a successful and productive kidding season is to understand the kidding process. The kidding process can be divided into three major parts: pre-labor, parturition, and post-birthing. Many problems during parturition can be prevented or resolved by understanding which events are normal and which are abnormal. While length of parturition and ease of kidding vary depending on the number of kids in the uterus, and age and amount of body fat of the goat, the basic stages remain the same. This article describes each of the three basic stages of the birthing process along with examples of what can go wrong.


The Normal Birthing Process

Stage 1: Pre-labor

	Physical Changes
	About four weeks before parturition, the doe will undergo several physical changes. First the doe’s paunch, or stomach, will rapidly grow in size. The abdomen enlarges at a fast pace during this time because of the exponential growth of the fetus or fetuses within the uterus. Most fetal growth occurs during the last two-thirds of gestation. Sometimes heads or hooves of a fetus can be seen pushing against the stomach and may kick or move, like in humans.

	In addition to enlargement of the stomach, the doe will begin to develop an udder (Figure 1). The extent to which the udder enlarges varies depending on whether the doe has kidded in the past. A doe kidding for the first time will show a much larger increase in udder size at a faster rate than an older doe. If a doe has kidded before, udder development may not be noticeable until closer to parturition. In either situation, the udder will begin to grow and fill with the first milk that will be provided to the kids, also known as colostrum. Colostrum is a thick, yellow, creamy milk that contains vitamins, minerals, fat, and large protein molecules called antibodies. These antibodies are essential for building the kid’s immune system and protecting it against diseases until it can produce its own antibodies. If the doe was vaccinated 2 weeks before her due date, the antibodies stimulated by the vaccine will also be passed on to the kids.

	As the doe nears parturition she will show two additional signs of labor. About a week before kidding the doe’s vulva will begin to swell. The vulva consists of the outer folds of skin that surround the opening of the female reproductive tract located directly below the anus. The swelling of the vulva signifies that the muscles in the pelvic area are beginning to relax and stretch in order to allow a kid to pass through the birth canal. Around 24-48 hours before parturition, the ligaments around the sides of the doe’s tail may become soft and pliable—another sign she is close to kidding. Often, this softening of tissues cause the tail to look like it sets lower than normal on the rump (Figure 1).


	Figure 1: Physical changes observed in the pygmy goat doe 24-48 hours before parturition.

	Behavioral Changes
	In addition to physical changes, does will exhibit changes in behavior that notify her owner that she is nearing parturition. As the paunch begins to grow, she may favor a “sitting” position when sleeping instead of lying down (Figure 2). If the paunch becomes large enough, many pygmy goats may begin to walk on their knees to offset the weight of the fetus or fetuses. About a week or two before parturition, the doe will exhibit “nesting” behavior. During this time she will pick out an area and scrape a “nest” into the bedding (Figure 3). Usually, this nest is located in an area away from the rest of the herd. As the doe comes within 24-48 hours of kidding she may become restless and begin pawing the ground, bleating, and looking at her sides. Eventually the doe will start repeatedly getting up, lying down, and pushing.


	Figure 2: “Sitting” position preferred by most does as they get closer to parturition.


	Figure 3: Nesting behavior in a pre-parturition doe.

	Initiation of Parturition
	The initiation of contractions signifies the cervix, or folds of tissue that create a division between the uterus and vagina, has fully dilated to allow the fetus or fetuses to pass though to the outside. During pregnancy a mucus plug forms in the cervix. This plug helps the cervix act as a barrier to keep the fetus inside and unwanted organisms outside. If bacteria enter the uterus, pregnancy may be terminated. As the doe continues to strain, a fluid-filled amniotic sac will move through the cervix and into the birth canal. This clear sac is usually the first tissue observed exiting the vagina, which helps further open and lubricate the birth canal. Eventually, the amniotic sac will burst and the next membrane presented will contain a kid.

Stage 2: Parturition

	At the beginning of parturition, a kid has made its way into the birth canal. The doe will continue to push with the uterine contractions and should make visible progress of moving a fetus within 45 minutes. Usually, the kid’s nose and front hooves will be presented in a “diving” position to allow for easy movement through the birth canal (Figure 4). Once the shoulders of the fetus have passed through the pelvis of the doe, any membranes that are covering the fetus' nose and mouth are removed. The kid will begin to breathe as soon as the umbilical cord becomes pinched in the birth canal (Figure 5). The umbilical cord is a rope-like connection between the kid and placenta. The placenta consists of tissue that connects to the doe's uterus and acts as a filter to control the passage of nutrients to the kid. Sometimes a kid will not begin breathing immediately upon being expelled from the doe. In this case, a piece of straw is usually stuck up its nose in order to encourage it to sneeze. Laying the kid on its side and rubbing vigorously with a towel also helps get the kid to breathe and enhances blood circulation. Once the kid has begun breathing and has started to stand, the mother will clean the remainder of the membranes from its coat. At this point the doe's owner should dip the kid’s navel in iodine to prevent infection.


	Figure 4: Diagram of the pregnant pygmy goat doe reproductive system and position of a single fetus.


	Figure 5:A kid exiting the birth canal. Here the kid was presented head-first with no feet. At this point in the delivery the kid was breathing. However, this was acceptable because the fetal membranes had been cleared away from her nose and mouth. The kid born here is Silly Lil' Ruby Baby, the daughter of Silly Lil' Baby Ruth.

	If the doe has more than one kid, the contractions will begin again within forty-five minutes and additional fetuses will be expelled in the same manner as the first fetus (Figure 6).


	Figure 6: Ideal presentation of pygmy goat twins.

Stage 3: Post-birthing

	Soon after birth the kids will begin to stand and attempt to nurse. It is very important that the kids receive colostrum within a few hours of birth. Within this short window of time, kids can readily absorb more nutrients and antibodies from the colostrum. It is also important that the doe's owner expresses a small amount of colostrum from each teat to ensure the waxy plugs in the end of the teats have been removed to allow for easier nursing.

	After all kids are expelled the cervix will remain dilated for several hours, and the remaining uterus contents will be pushed toward the vagina. Within 24 to 48 hours of birth any remaining placental membranes and fetal fluids should be expelled from the uterus.


Abnormalities and Problems

Dystocia

	Dystocia, or complication expelling fetuses during parturition, is very common in pygmy goats. There are many factors that can contribute to dystocia. One cause is over-conditioning pregnant does. Since a pygmy goat breed is bred for its muscling and structure it cannot carry excessive fat deposits. Fat reduces the size of the birth canal and ultimately leads to a cesarean section, or a procedure performed by a veterinarian where the uterus is surgically opened to remove the kids.

	Dystocia may also be caused by improper fetal position. Kids usually enter the birth canal with the front hooves and nose observed first. However, there are many additional ways a kid can be presented. While it is not always necessary to have both feet in the birth canal for a normal birth, the kid may get caught in the birth canal if situated in another position. If the doe stops pushing or continues to push for more than forty-five minutes during active labor without making visible progress, she may require assistance.

	Two difficult birth orientations to correct are breeched (Figure 7), where the hind end of the kid has entered the birth canal without hind legs, and when two front legs are presented without the head (Figure 8). Both of these situations usually require the owner to disinfect their hands, and put on a lubricated long glove called an “ob" or artificial insemination sleeve before rearranging the kids in the uterus. It is important to use extreme caution while repositioning kids to prevent tearing the uterus.


	Figure 7: Breeched birth position.


	Figure 8: Fetus presenting feet without the head.

	The pygmy goat owner must be careful not to get overly excited and help too soon in the birth process. Overly zealous goat owners usually create more problems than they solve. Most of the time the doe will be able to deliver the kids without assistance. If there is any question as to whether or not the doe needs assistance, contact your veterinarian.

Inadequate Hormone Levels

	Inadequate release of hormones, or chemical signals sent by the brain to other organs, in the doe may cause problems during parturition. Stress, age and many other factors play a part in hormone concentration and release during kidding. Unless recommended by a veterinarian, the goat breeder should not give hormones to initiate parturition or increase contraction rates in does. If the doe’s cervix is not fully dilated or the fetus is not in the proper position, hormone supplementation can cause severe tissue damage or death.


Conclusion
	Experience obtained from watching and participating in several pygmy goat births improves future reproductive success within the herd. In addition to hands-on experience, there are many resources available to the new goat breeder in books and on the Internet. Once a breeder becomes familiar with the normal signs and stages of parturition, kidding season easily becomes the most exciting time of the year.


Additional Links

“The Process of Kidding.” Meat Goat Home Study Course.
http://bedford.extension.psu.edu/agriculture/goat/Process%20of%20Kidding.htm

“Goat Reproduction.” Langston University Goat & Research Extension.
http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/training/reproduction.html#gest

***The information in this aritcle is based on personal experience. If you have any questions or suspect a problem when a doe is in labor, please contact your veterinarian immediately. My advice is not meant to take the place of a strong client-vet-patient relationship.***

Webmaster: Hannah M. Atkins_____ Last Updated: June 6, 2010