[Teresa Ford]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

I guess I am a control freak...I know when my dogs are bred, I know within 3-5 days when they will deliver, I have xrays so I know their positions and pelvic ring/head-shoulder ratios....I have xrays so I know how many babies there will be, my mommas are isolated from rough play, running, jumping etc the last 2 weeks before the babies are due, I am taking temp of mom every day, twice a day, my mommas are in their OWN bed, with me looking on, when she delivers, I cut the cords so she doesnt have the chance of disemboweling the baby or causing a hernia, I allow her to consume only 2 placentas so she doesnt have diarrhea, I make sure I can see her and the babies but she is isolated from noise and commotion and drafts, other dogs, etc...just her and the babies.....I guess I I was a nervous wreck, that may rub off on her during whelping, but it wont cause a breach birth or a baby to get cross-wise....I tend to be a calming influence on my mommas during whelping....of course, being the control freak I am, I have always known in advance, if there was going to be any forseeable issues and those were addressed prior to whelping. I do not like surprises and I do not like emergencies, and I do everything hmanly possible to prevent both. It would be inconceivable to me to allow a pregnant female about to whelp, to run all over the house, with the possibility of having puppies all over the place....I often remind people who say, "Women make such a big deal over having babies...they have been having babies for thousands of years....just squat in a field and have it"....I remember I PERSONALLY would have been one of those women that died in child birth, if not for medical assistance and attendance (c-sections). Same thing with my dogs.....I leave NOTHING to chance...........

I aggree with this.
Of course it helps to be calm and confident. I would NEVER leave a bitch alone when she is whelping. Like Yorkiemom1 I would try to have every 'what if' covered. Things can go wrong in an eye blink. Many Many women and bitches have died giving birth. Natural is best but, for goodness sake PLEASE make sure help is right there if needed ! If you want a natural birth fine, People please have your babies with a midwife, IN the hospital. And for a Yorkie, Please Have an experienced Yorkie Midwife in attendance and a vet on stand by !