[gemy]

I have waited to respond to you. First as a first time whelper, you should really have help nearby, a breeder whelper coach, and or a Vet who knows about whelping. There are too many things that could and can go wrong with a whelp, to do this as a novice all on your own.


For one thing your gal will lose the mucous plug, as a precursor to whelping, and yes the pups will drop into birth position - at least ideally they will.


Temperature rises and drops are notoriously inaccurate at least until you know your gal over several matings and whelpings.


I hope that you have visited Debra Jensen's website which is pretty good about all things whelping. But no internet learning or for that matter book learning can take the place of an experienced person helping you through a real whelp. Sure hope you can find one.