Katie Van Slyke Says Bella Still Hasn’t Had Her Babies — But She’s Keeping Her Under Camera Just in Case

The Bella baby watch continues.

After days of wondering whether each evening might finally be the night, Katie Van Slyke checked on her heavily pregnant doe once again and delivered an update that has become increasingly familiar:

Bella is still pregnant.

Katie found her spending plenty of time in the same corner she has been favoring lately, but she did not see anything that made her confident labor was about to begin.

In fact, Katie said she had moved beyond thinking the babies might arrive that particular night.

“I’m convinced it’s not gonna be tonight,” she said.

At the same time, everyone knows one unavoidable truth.

Those babies eventually have to come out.

And because Katie still suspects Bella could potentially be carrying several kids, she is not willing to stop monitoring closely. Reel18.txtTXT

Katie No Longer Thinks Tonight Is the Night

Earlier in Bella’s pregnancy countdown, nearly every body change seemed capable of convincing Katie that kidding might be only hours away.

A fuller udder.

Looser tail tendons.

More time spent alone.

Changes in appetite.

Different resting positions.

But Bella has continued to surprise everyone by remaining pregnant.

During this latest check, Katie sounded less convinced than she had during some previous updates.

She simply did not think the babies were coming that night.

That does not mean Katie thinks Bella has a long time left.

Quite the opposite.

She openly acknowledged that at some point they have to meet these babies.

Bella has simply refused to reveal exactly when.

Bella Has Been Spending Time in Her Favorite Corner

Katie again noticed Bella spending a significant amount of time in one particular corner.

That area has become part of the ongoing kid-watch story.

Bella seems comfortable there and has repeatedly chosen it while resting.

Katie even asked whether Bella wanted to go to bed where she could have her own water, food and privacy.

Giving Bella a separate nighttime space has become part of the routine as the pregnancy advances.

It gives her somewhere peaceful to rest without the rest of the goats constantly surrounding her.

And more importantly for Katie, it puts Bella directly under a camera.

Getting Bella Into the Stall Has to Be Her Idea

Moving a heavily pregnant goat sounds simple until the goat decides otherwise.

Katie said she does not want to stress Bella.

That means she avoids forcing her into the stall whenever possible.

Instead, the strategy is persuasion.

A little grain can accomplish more than pushing or chasing.

Katie planned to offer Bella her grain first and encourage her to enter voluntarily before giving the other goats small treats afterward.

The idea is to make going into the stall feel like Bella’s choice.

As Katie explained, they essentially have to make it her idea. Reel18.txtTXT

Bella’s Appetite Is Still There

One reassuring observation came when Katie brought out the food.

Bella was right at the front.

That told Katie one important thing:

She still has her appetite.

Bella has had moments during this pregnancy when Katie thought her eating habits looked a little different, so seeing her enthusiastically interested in grain was notable.

Katie joked about using just enough food to control the herd without giving everyone more than they needed.

Eventually, Bella made it into the stall.

The nighttime setup could begin.

Camera On, Fan Running, Bella Settled In

Once Bella was inside, Katie checked everything.

Bella had the stall.

She had access to food and water.

The camera was positioned.

And Katie verified that the fan was running.

That monitoring setup is one of the main reasons Katie continues putting Bella up at night even though some followers suggested simply leaving her outside.

Katie understands the argument for giving Bella freedom to choose where she wants to kid.

But she has another concern that outweighs it.

She wants to know immediately when labor begins. Reel18.txtTXT

Katie Is Worried About a Possible “Traffic Jam”

The baby count remains one of the biggest mysteries of Bella’s pregnancy.

Katie has repeatedly thought there could be more than two kids.

At different points she has suspected three, and Bella has looked so enormous that even four has crossed her mind.

That uncertainty is exactly why Katie wants the camera.

If Bella has three or four kids inside, Katie worries about the possibility of what she jokingly described as a “traffic jam.”

In other words, if multiple kids try to enter the birth canal in an awkward way, Bella might need assistance.

Katie cannot know whether that will happen.

But if it does, she wants to recognize the problem quickly.

She does not want Bella beginning labor somewhere difficult to monitor while everyone assumes things are progressing normally. Reel18.txtTXT

Katie Hasn’t Had to Help Many of Her Does

Katie also clarified that she is not expecting trouble simply because Bella is pregnant with multiples.

She said she has not had to assist many of her does during kidding.

Most have handled the process themselves.

But that history does not mean she is willing to assume Bella will never need help.

Especially with the uncertainty surrounding the number and position of the kids, Katie would rather have more information than less.

The camera allows her to monitor without constantly standing in the stall and disturbing Bella.

If everything progresses normally, she can stay out of the way.

If something changes, she will know.

Bella Has Kidded in a Stall Before

Katie also has another reason to feel comfortable keeping Bella inside overnight.

Bella has successfully kidded in a stall before.

Katie reminded followers that Bella delivered her singleton buckling there the previous year.

So the stall itself is not some unfamiliar environment Bella has never used.

Katie knows she is capable of giving birth there.

That makes it easier to choose monitoring and privacy without worrying that the setting itself will necessarily prevent Bella from settling down. Reel18.txtTXT

Katie Addresses Concerns That Bella Is “Overdue”

With a pregnancy followed this closely online, concern can build quickly.

Some followers may see the daily waiting and assume something must be wrong.

Katie addressed that directly.

She said Bella is nowhere near the point where Katie considers the lack of labor worrisome.

If Katie believed Bella was dangerously overdue or showing concerning signs, she said she would absolutely contact her veterinarian.

She has not reached that point.

That distinction matters.

Bella is making everyone impatient.

She is not, based on Katie’s update, being described as experiencing an emergency.

Katie emphasized that there is currently no reason for followers to assume something is medically wrong simply because the babies have not arrived yet. Reel18.txtTXT

Waiting Feels Longer When Everyone Is Watching

Part of what makes Bella’s pregnancy feel endless is how closely it has been documented.

Katie has provided updates almost every day.

Followers have seen small body changes that normally might pass unnoticed.

Every shift in the udder becomes a discussion.

Every nap by herself becomes a possible sign.

Every difference in appetite gets compared with the day before.

That creates an unusual level of anticipation.

In reality, Bella is simply progressing through pregnancy on her own timeline.

But because everyone is watching every hour, each extra day feels significant.

Clover Still Wants Her Share of Attention

While Bella remains the star of kid watch, the younger goats have not exactly surrendered the spotlight.

Katie joked that one of them had been especially interested in attention.

Throughout Bella’s pregnancy, the younger goats have often inserted themselves into her updates.

They climb.

They investigate.

They sneak into areas meant for Bella.

And sometimes they make Katie’s attempt to separate Bella considerably more difficult.

This latest evening was no exception.

Bella may be carrying the newest babies, but the current youngsters are not ready to become background characters just yet.

Katie Is Letting Bella Set the Pace

There is also a noticeable difference in Katie’s approach compared with earlier in the pregnancy.

She is still watching closely.

But she is not trying to manufacture a labor prediction from every small sign.

Katie openly admitted she no longer thought this particular night would be the one.

That may ultimately turn out to be wrong.

Animals have a way of changing plans very quickly.

But it shows that Katie is trying to watch Bella rather than simply decide that every day must be baby day.

If Bella wants another night, she gets another night.

The Exact Number of Kids Remains Unknown

There is another reason the eventual birth is going to be especially exciting.

No one knows exactly how many babies will appear.

Katie knows Bella is carrying multiples.

But the final number has remained uncertain throughout the pregnancy.

Katie has leaned toward three.

Bella’s extraordinary size has occasionally made her wonder whether there could even be four.

But neither count has been confirmed.

That mystery will not be solved until kidding.

Which means the final birth update will answer one of the longest-running questions of this entire pregnancy.

One Big Question: Will Katie Finally Get a Girl?

Then there is the other mystery Katie cares deeply about.

Will Bella finally have a doeling?

Katie has previously explained that Bella is particularly special because she was her first goat.

Bella’s previous kids have been boys.

Katie would love to have a daughter from her.

If multiple kids are indeed coming, that gives Katie several chances at getting the little girl she has hoped for.

But just like the baby count, the sexes remain unknown.

Kidding day could deliver several surprises at once.

Katie Has Everything Ready

For tonight, however, there is no birth story yet.

There is preparation.

Bella is in the stall.

The fan is running.

The camera is watching.

Food and water are available.

Katie can keep an eye on her without standing over her constantly.

And if labor begins, Katie will be able to respond.

That is exactly why she prefers the monitored nighttime setup.

The Waiting Game Continues

Katie admitted she does not know when Bella will finally deliver.

That is perhaps the most accurate update possible at this point.

Not tonight?

Maybe.

Tomorrow?

Possibly.

Another day after that?

Bella gets to decide.

Katie has made predictions before, and Bella has continued proving that pregnancy does not operate according to anyone else’s schedule.

The only certainty is that the end is coming.

Bella Is Still Comfortable Enough to Eat and Be Herself

One encouraging element is that Bella is still displaying familiar behavior.

She wants food.

She participates in the herd routine.

She has not reached a point where Katie describes her condition as worrisome.

That allows Katie to remain patient even while feeling desperate to finally meet the babies.

If anything looked genuinely wrong, Katie said she would involve the veterinarian.

For now, this remains a waiting story rather than a medical emergency.

“They Gotta Come Out at Some Point”

Katie ended the update with the line that has practically become the theme of Bella’s pregnancy.

The babies have to come out eventually.

She may not have much hope for tonight.

But she knows this waiting cannot continue forever.

So Bella settles into another night under the camera.

Katie watches.

Followers wait.

And the mystery remains intact.

How many babies?

Will there finally be a girl?

Will Bella need any help?

And when will she decide that enough is enough?

For now, the only answer is:

Stay tuned.

Bella still has her babies tucked safely inside, but Katie is prepared for the moment that changes — even if a potential three- or four-baby “traffic jam” means she needs to step in.

And until Bella says otherwise, the world’s longest-feeling goat baby watch continues for one more night. 🐐❤️ Reel18.txtTXT