Has your male been neutured? If not, be sure to keep a close eye on them both if you don't want puppies at this time.
When my girl was in heat this last time I didn't really do anything special for her. Just left her alone if that is what she wanted or loved her up if she wanted attention. She didn't seem uncomfortable- but she would clean herself all the time, so I did try to help keep her clean, but other than that everything was fine.
As far as having a male around while she was in heat- I kept mine in separate rooms during that "special time". Belly bands for him, panties for her, separate rooms and then I still kept one eye on each of them at all times to make sure they don't figure out a way to get together.
He was a little beast the whole time my girl was in heat (only had one thing on his mind!!) After a couple weeks he was back to his normal sweet self again.