Friday afternoon I rode Gabe home from his temporary exile. I had thought that Emma would have had her baby by now and she wouldn't have to worry about him, but y'all know how that has worked out. Tessa at least was glad to see him...
Ever since Memorial day when I thought Emma was going into labor and then she quit, the baby has been very quiet. After two weeks of no movement, I finally saw the baby kicking yesterday morning and again this afternoon. I was very relieved to see it, I've been rather worried about Baby. Of course, I have, once again, been trying to figure out when this baby is due. I have gone back to the few hard facts that I have: On Dec. 3 I had a blood test for estrogen sulfate drawn on Emma to tell me whether or not she was pregnant. The mare or jenny tested has to be AT LEAST 4 months pregnant for this test to work. What this means is that, unless I have messed up the math completley, Emma has to be at least 11 1/2 months pregnant.
Emma's blood test came back off-the-charts high. When I spoke with the neonatal vet at Cornell about this test and the vet who drew the blood, they both told me that the high level probably indicated that Emma was at least 5-6 months pregnant when we drew the blood and very possibly farther along than that. That would make her at least 12-13 months pregnant right now. Donkey gestation is 11-14 months.
What all of this means is that....I have absolutely no idea when the baby is due. Which brings us (in a rather long winded way) to the baby guessing pool. Emma has fooled everyone. The latest date submitted was June 11th, a date that, when I first read it, I scoffed at just a bit (sorry). I thought "no way can Emma make it all the way till June 11." Foolish, foolish me.
So, this leaves a bit of a quandary. Do I start over from scratch and let all of you submit a new guess or do I take all the names on my first list and let Emma draw one out of a hat? I am putting it up for a vote. What would you, dear readers, like me to do?
Note: if no consensus is reached I reserve the right to arbitrarily flip a coin and decide. Democracy can only go so far on a farm after all.
I say let Emma pick the winner.
ReplyDeleteGina Collins
At this time I say just flip a coin!
ReplyDeleteHow is her bag comming! Teats still pointing in toward each other?
Her bag got really full around Mem. Day. the teats were pointing out, she had white milk, the bag had that moist, rosey look to it. Then it all went away. It has been slowly filling up again in the last week, the teats are pointing straight down and the "milk" has gone back to being clear amber and sticky.
DeleteHave you ever had one of your jennys do this to you?
YES, Two or three of them(drives you nuts doesn't it?) if I remember right it was only a few weeks before birth. Keep your birthing kit Handy!
DeleteOnce again you are the voice of knowledge and reassurance. Thank you! Emma sure has taught me just how much I don't know about donkeys.
DeleteHope it's okay to communicate with you about the Van Horn donkey roping here (not sure how to do it otherwise). I hope people in the Van Horn area can check the Advocate newspaper on Thursday. Perhaps my letter will be there. I'm not inclined to drop $20 for an online subscription. Thanks for all that you've done in this regard!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, by the way!
Certainly OK to comunicate this way. If you would like to reach me otherwise, my email is aerissana at gmail dot com. Thanks for sending in a letter and thanks for visiting.
DeleteI think Emma should pick the winner! Teehee....but then she might be to busy with a new baby....so YOUR choice....I am ok if you want to reopen the pool.
ReplyDeleteCome ON Emma! You have been carrying that baby for like 2 years now.
ReplyDeleteSomeone just sent me a picture if a baby donkey who was born after 15 months!! Made me think that maybe I should take up drinking:)
DeleteSweet. I definitely want to use this.
ReplyDelete