[BettyBee]

When I have a Mom who might be in labor, I keep her beside me and sleep on the floor beside the birthing bed. Don't know if it helps the mom or me the most. The only thing worse than losing a puppies would be losing Mama, too. You need to calm down and just keep her close by. Personally I have found that the moms are smarter than we are. I have one who has given birth TWICE in my bed. What a mess and what a thrill! I put her in the birthing bed (an old dresser drawer) and she goes back to my bed. Last time she even took the first puppy back to my bed before she gave birth to the rest! I had to close my bedroom door the next morning to keep her out of my bed. When she is in active labor you will know it and it will not take a temperature reading to tell. Just be ready to take her to the vet if there is a problem. Several years ago a vet told me that if I was anxious and afraid, I would frighten the mom and that she would be better off if I just came home from work one day to find puppies.