My girls get the swollen nipples, swollen vulva, seem to want their own space, and also lick themselves constantly around their vulva trying to clean themselves up.
The average heat is 21 days but it can vary by dog more or less.
I use doggy diapers both washable and disposable. You could also buy some huggies and cut a hole out for the tail. There are washable doggy diapers on Ebay too that you could look into as well.
You may or may not notice any bleeding. One of girls is so clean about it that I hardly saw any bleeding. Another one on the hand decided to start her heat on my down comforter and isn't an exceissive licker! There was no mistaking that one. I know TMI.
