Katie Van Slyke Says Bella Is Just Days From Her Safe Kidding Date — And Her Sisters Have Become Protective “Midwives”

Katie Van Slyke’s countdown to Bella’s kidding is getting more intense by the day.

Bella has now reached 136 days of pregnancy, putting her just a few days away from the point Katie says she would feel much more comfortable seeing the babies arrive.

For now, though, Katie is hoping Bella waits.

She explained that Monday would be the date she considers safe, while right now she still feels it is a little too early for Bella to kid.

And as Katie watches Bella more closely, something else has caught her attention.

Bella’s sisters, Buttercup and Blossom, have apparently taken it upon themselves to become her personal support team.

Katie said she has never seen this particular behavior in her goats before.

Because Bella is currently the only pregnant doe, Buttercup and Blossom have stayed close to her, acted protective and rarely left her side.

Katie jokingly called them Bella’s “midwives.”

Bella Is Getting Very Close

At 136 days pregnant, Bella is officially entering the stage where every small change matters.

Katie said goat gestation is generally around 145 to 155 days, with approximately 140 days being a point she personally views as much safer.

That shorter gestation window is one reason Katie becomes especially nervous toward the end.

She explained that the margin for an early kidding is much smaller than it might be for some larger livestock species.

Her biggest goal right now is simple:

Let those babies stay inside just a little longer.

Katie even asked Bella to make her a promise that she would wait until at least Monday.

She said she does not currently see signs that labor is immediately beginning, but she also admitted she does not expect Bella to go very far beyond that point.

Buttercup and Blossom Are Staying Close

One of the sweetest parts of the update has nothing to do with Bella’s physical changes.

It is the behavior of her sisters.

Katie described Bella, Buttercup and Blossom as her original trio of goats.

Now that Bella is the only pregnant one, the other two appear to have changed their behavior around her.

Katie said they have become noticeably more protective.

They stay close.

They rub on Bella.

They keep watch.

And even though Bella is normally the one who might be a little less friendly toward them, Katie noticed that everyone seems unusually sweet to her now.

It has been different enough that Katie specifically pointed out that she has never seen them act this way before.

For viewers following Bella’s pregnancy, it adds a surprisingly emotional element to the countdown.

Katie Is Preparing the Cameras and Stalls

The farm is also getting ready.

Katie said part of the day was spent making sure the cameras were working properly and getting everything cleaned so Bella’s stall would be ready.

She plans to begin keeping Bella under camera surveillance more closely as the expected kidding window approaches.

That will allow Katie to watch for changes even when she is not standing directly beside her.

But the weather is complicating the setup a little.

Katie said it has still been extremely hot.

Although there are fans available, the current barn does not have air conditioning like the previous one did.

Because outside can actually feel cooler, Katie has been adjusting where Bella spends her time based on the heat.

Bella’s Udder Is Changing — But Katie Says It Hasn’t “Popped”

Katie is also watching Bella’s body carefully.

One of the biggest things she is checking is her udder.

She said it seems to look bigger every time she sees Bella.

But Katie still would not describe it as fully “popped” yet.

That distinction matters because Katie expects a much more dramatic change closer to kidding.

She is also watching the area beneath Bella’s tail.

Katie noted that Bella is becoming looser and wider in the vulva area.

Her belly, however, has not dramatically dropped yet.

Taken together, those signs tell Katie they are getting closer — but not necessarily at the point of immediate labor.

Katie Still Thinks Bella Could Be Carrying Triplets

The biggest mystery remains the number of babies.

Bella has already had two previous pregnancies.

The first time, she delivered twins.

Last year, she had a singleton.

This year, Katie’s instincts are telling her something different.

Looking at Bella’s large belly, Katie said she still feels in her gut that there could be triplets inside.

That is not confirmed.

It is Katie’s prediction based on Bella’s size and how she is carrying.

But her confidence in that guess has clearly not gone away.

Katie Doesn’t Think Labor Is Imminent Yet

Despite all the body changes and Katie’s growing anticipation, she does not currently believe Bella is in immediate labor.

She said she does not see the signs she would expect if kidding were about to happen right away.

That is good news.

Katie wants those babies to remain inside until at least the safer part of the gestation window.

She joked that she wants them to be completely “cooked” before they arrive.

For now, every extra day matters.

Monday Has Become the Big Target

The entire update really revolves around one date.

Monday.

That is when Katie says she would begin to feel much more comfortable about Bella delivering.

Until then, the goal is patience.

Bella’s sisters can keep guarding her.

Katie can keep watching the cameras.

The udder can keep developing.

And the babies can hopefully remain exactly where they are.

Katie said she is crossing her fingers and praying that the kidding happens next week rather than too soon. 0803.txtTXT

The Heat Is Adding Another Layer to the Countdown

One challenge Katie did not expect to still be dealing with was extreme heat.

She mentioned temperatures around 100 degrees, which is far from ideal timing for a heavily pregnant goat nearing delivery.

That means comfort and monitoring are especially important.

Katie is balancing the use of the barn, fans and outdoor areas depending on which environment feels cooler.

Bella’s wellbeing remains the priority.

A Close Watch From Here

The message at the end of Katie’s update is clear.

They are close.

Maybe very close.

But hopefully not quite yet.

Bella is 136 days along.

Her body is beginning to change.

Her udder is growing.

Her sisters are hovering around her like protective attendants.

The cameras are ready.

The stalls are prepared.

And Katie’s instincts tell her she may be looking at a set of triplets.

Now comes the hardest part.

Waiting.

Katie does not think Bella will go much beyond Monday, but for now she wants every possible extra day for those babies to develop.

So the countdown continues.

Bella may be only days away from becoming a mama again — and Buttercup and Blossom apparently intend to be there for every minute of it. 🐐❤️