Katie Van Slyke Says Bella Is 137 Days Pregnant — And She’s Hoping Her First Doeling Could Be Just Days Away

Katie Van Slyke took one look at Bella’s enormous pregnancy belly and admitted what many followers are probably thinking too:

How could she possibly get any bigger?

Bella has reached 137 days pregnant, placing her very close to the window when Katie would begin feeling much more comfortable about the babies arriving.

But not quite yet.

Katie said she wants Bella to hold onto those babies for at least three more days, explaining that Nigerian Dwarf goats generally have a due-date range of about 145 to 150 days, while around 140 days is the point she considers the beginning of a safer kidding window. Ideally, Katie would prefer Bella to go even longer.

So for now, the mission is simple:

Keep cooking those babies.

But as Bella’s body continues changing, Katie is watching closely — and she still has one major suspicion.

The veterinarian saw at least two kids on ultrasound.

Katie, however, is increasingly convinced there could be more.

Bella Has Reached 137 Days

Every day now feels important.

Bella is close enough to kidding that Katie is carefully monitoring her body, but still early enough that Katie would rather not see labor begin immediately.

Her target is Monday.

Once Bella reaches approximately 140 days, Katie says she would consider her to be in the safer zone.

That doesn’t mean Katie wants Bella to deliver exactly then.

Quite the opposite.

She would be happy for the pregnancy to continue longer.

For now, though, every additional day gives those babies more time to develop.

Katie’s message to Bella was essentially a plea:

Just hang on a little longer.

Katie Is Watching for Several Specific Changes

As Bella gets closer, Katie isn’t simply looking at her belly and guessing.

She has a checklist of changes she expects to see as kidding approaches.

One of the biggest is Bella’s udder.

Katie is watching for what she calls the “udder pop” — a noticeable increase in fullness as the body prepares for milk production.

She is also checking Bella’s vulva for increased swelling and fewer wrinkles, watching for discharge, and looking to see whether Bella’s abdomen begins dropping lower.

Another important check involves the tendons around Bella’s tail.

Katie physically felt them during the update.

For now, they were still firm.

Katie considered that a good sign because she is not hoping for immediate labor yet.

Bella’s Udder Is Changing Fast

Although Katie does not believe Bella’s udder has fully “popped,” she is definitely seeing progress.

Katie said she has noticed a significant increase in fullness over the last couple of days.

She also believes Bella is beginning to sink more around her hips.

Those changes are exactly why the daily updates are becoming increasingly interesting.

One day Bella may look almost the same as the day before.

Then suddenly there can be a noticeable shift.

Katie wants to catch those changes in real time rather than only realizing afterward that Bella had been approaching labor.

At 137 days, the countdown is no longer theoretical.

They are getting close.

Katie Still Doesn’t Believe There Are Only Two Babies

Then there is Bella’s belly.

It has become enormous.

Katie looked at her from above and jokingly asked:

“How many are cooking, honey?”

The veterinarian previously saw two babies.

So Katie knows Bella is carrying at least twins.

But she also knows ultrasound counts with goats are not always perfect.

Katie said veterinarians have missed additional kids in her does before, meaning there have been pregnancies where more babies were present than initially detected.

That history is one reason she remains suspicious.

The other reason is simply Bella’s size.

Katie said Bella has “really blown up” over the past several days and is carrying extremely deep.

She finds it difficult to believe only two babies are responsible for that enormous belly.

Could Bella Be Carrying Triplets?

Katie has previously said she has a feeling Bella could be carrying triplets.

Nothing in this latest update confirms that prediction.

The only confirmed information is that the veterinarian saw at least two.

Still, Bella’s increasing size certainly isn’t changing Katie’s mind.

If anything, it seems to be making her even more curious about what kidding day will reveal.

Twins?

Triplets?

Perhaps another surprise?

Followers will simply have to wait until Bella delivers to know for certain.

Busy and Clover Are About to Become Big Sisters

Bella’s babies won’t only change her routine.

They are also about to change life for the younger goats, particularly Busy and Clover.

Katie joked that the babies may have no idea what is waiting for them once they arrive.

Busy and Clover have been enjoying their position as the younger members of the group.

Soon, however, they could have brand-new little kids running around beside them.

Katie wondered whether they will enjoy becoming “big sisters” or be upset that they are no longer the smallest and most attention-grabbing babies.

That introduction could become one of the funniest parts of the new arrivals.

Blossom Is Still Taking Care of Her Pregnant Sister

Another sweet detail continues from Katie’s previous Bella updates.

Blossom, Clover’s mother and Bella’s sister, has remained unusually attentive to Bella.

Katie previously described Bella’s sisters as acting almost like midwives.

In this update, she again pointed out how caring Blossom has been toward her heavily pregnant sister.

It is especially noticeable because Bella is usually known for having a stronger personality.

Now, as her pregnancy reaches its final stage, the other goats appear to be giving her a little extra support.

Katie Has One Special Wish for This Kidding

As exciting as the question of twins versus triplets may be, there is something Katie wants even more.

A girl.

Bella has only given Katie bucklings in her previous pregnancies.

Every one of her babies has been a boy.

This year, Katie is hoping that streak finally ends.

She said she would be thrilled to get even one doeling from Bella.

And the reason is deeply personal.

Bella Was Katie’s Very First Goat

Bella isn’t just another doe in Katie’s herd.

She is Katie’s girl.

Katie explained that Bella was her very first goat and even lived inside her house.

That history makes the possibility of getting a daughter from Bella especially meaningful.

Katie initially joked that she wanted a little “mini me” version of Bella.

Then she corrected herself.

The baby doesn’t even have to look like Bella.

Katie simply wants a girl.

After years of Bella producing only boys, a doeling would give Katie a female descendant from the goat who started this part of her farm journey.

Bella’s Personality Is Part of Why Katie Loves Her

Katie also laughed about Bella’s personality.

Bella may be Katie’s favorite girl, but that does not necessarily mean she is everyone else’s easiest companion.

Katie described her as being a little mean to the other goats.

Then she jokingly noticed a pattern.

Some of the mares and goats she is most attached to seem to be the ones with the strongest personalities.

Apparently, Bella fits that category perfectly.

That attitude is part of what makes the possibility of a Bella daughter so fun.

Would a doeling inherit the same personality?

Would she look like Bella?

Would she become Katie’s next special little goat?

Those are questions Katie would probably be thrilled to find out.

First, Bella needs to safely get through kidding.

The Goal Right Now Is Still Patience

Despite the excitement building around the birth, Katie is trying not to rush things.

She wants Bella to hold those babies in.

At 137 days, she is close — but Katie would still prefer several more days of pregnancy.

Her repeated message is to let them keep developing.

The udder can keep filling.

The hips can keep loosening.

The belly can keep dropping.

But Katie would rather those babies remain inside until Bella crosses into the safer stage.

Katie Doesn’t Think There Are Many Updates Left

One of the biggest clues about how close things are came at the end of the update.

Katie said she doesn’t think she has many more days of pregnancy updates left to give.

That doesn’t mean Bella is guaranteed to deliver immediately.

But it shows how close Katie believes they are to the final chapter of this pregnancy.

The daily updates that began as simple observations of Bella’s belly and udder are quickly becoming an actual kidding countdown. 0609.txtTXT

Twins, Triplets — and Maybe Finally a Girl?

The questions surrounding Bella’s pregnancy are now becoming increasingly exciting.

Katie knows there are at least two babies.

She suspects there may be more.

Bella’s belly has grown dramatically.

Her udder is becoming fuller.

Her body is beginning to change around the hips.

And she is only a few days from the point Katie considers a safer time for kidding.

But the question Katie may care about most has nothing to do with the number of babies.

Will one finally be a girl?

Bella has given her boys before.

This time Katie is crossing her fingers for a little doeling from the goat who has been special to her from the very beginning.

The Final Countdown Is Here

For now, everything still appears to be in waiting mode.

Bella’s tail tendons remain firm.

Katie does not consider the udder fully popped.

And the babies still have a little more time to cook.

That is exactly what Katie wants.

But Monday is approaching.

Bella is already 137 days pregnant.

And judging by the enormous belly she is carrying, there could be quite a surprise waiting when kidding finally begins.

Maybe twins.

Maybe triplets.

Maybe even that little girl Katie has been hoping for.

Whatever Bella is carrying, one thing seems increasingly clear: