Ready to give birth... help
 

My baby gurl is pregnant... her due date was yesterday (6-19-10). I'm new at this and not sure what to do. I've been staying home just in case she needs help. Today I left the house for an hour and when I got back, the side of her nesting area was all wet, but there was no color to it... an hour later she is laying down and sleeping. There are moments she wakes up and is breathing hard, as if she was hot an thirsty but is not. I called the vet and she said that was not abnormal and babies may be born by tommorrow. I'm afraid of sticking the thermometer to check her temp because I don't want to hurt her, plus she wont let me look at her behind.. So at this point I'm just sitting here not knowing what to expect. I found a link that said when the water thing breaks, some color comes with it, and I'm freaking out because I don't see that color and she is sleeping now... pls help, any advice is appreciated :)

Her water has broken. Her breathing hard means she's in the first stages of delivery. And yes she is ready to go into action. Contractions can begin at anytime. You do need to take her temp. You won't hurt her. Make sure you lubricate with KY Jelly before inserting.

What do you have on hand? Whelping Pudding (check the stickie at the top of the breeders forum). Do you have your vet on speed dial and is your vet available if you need her. Do you know the danger signs. Do you have supplies on hand. Do you know the stages of labor. Do you have dentifloss, scissors, iodine, surgical forceps. Clean wash cloths, several changes of bedding, a baby nasal asperator. Is everything sterilized. Sterile Guaze. Benebac, Nutridrops, NutriCal, Oral Cal Plus. Alcohol on hand for sterlizing your hand. Have you shaved her tummy and cut her down? Baby wipes, piddle pads. Heating Pad.

What Mardelin said.. :) plus you need to look at her because you need to know when you have a pup coming. Did you xray her?

If you move your post to the Breeding Section we could get more help on here.

Gather the things that Mardelin said, if you have them in the house. I know Mardelin does not want you to leave your girl alone at this stage to go out and get anything. You must stay with her now. If you need things that you don't have send someone else for them.

I'm guessing she is busy delivering puppies.

Good Luck. I hope all goes well for you.

I don't think so, she's totally inexperienced and doesn't have a clue.

It says she joined back in November, but this is her first post. I sure hope she did some research :(

I hope all goes well with her and she give an update.

yes, I gathered that much, but since she is not replying, I'm guessing she either went shopping to get all the things that you listed, or she is busy with the dog. I would hope if she wasn't, that she would be asking questions.

Listen ladies, this girl is inexperienced, her girl is about to whelp, we need to at this time provide her as much support as we can. Let's keep at calm and helpful. Even if it's just to stay here and wait.

I'm PMing you with my phone #. Use it if you need it.

Bumping this up

I'm sorry, I'm having problems with my internet and am very nervouse.. I appreciate your help and comments, and yes, I am inexperienced and clueless, that is why I am here. When I talked to the vet she told me all I needed was dental floss or scissors, and wipes. I do have her number on speed dial just in case, but she said my baby would do most of the work. Within the past hour she has been digging in her nesting area to the point she got to the carpet. I layed there with her and she let me pet her. I have not used the thermometer because I have no KY and dont want to leave her. She did get xrays and it looks like she might have 4. She is sleeping again... so confused but trying to keep it together...

Do you have anyone to help you?

At this point use lotion, vaseline to take her temperature. Make sure it doesn't drop below 97, if it does, get her to the ER fast. Make sure you have sterlized everything, including your hands before you begin assisting her. You will have to intervine....do not allow her to chew the cord, or eat the placenta.

What she is doing at this point is fighting labor.

From what you tell me you don't have much in supplies. Gather clean wash cloths, you're going to need them. Gosh I wish you had another set of hands or someone you could send out for Goats Milk, distilled water, and a few other things.

Hopefully things progress well for you, Betty. You will have to intervene to tear the sac, cut the cords and clear the airways of the babies and dry them as they are being born. Do you have a bulb syringe? Heating pad?

I won't get in the way of Mary coaching you through this. She is VERY experienced and you couldn't ask for a better person to help you at this time. Try to remain calm as your girl will pick up on your nervousness.

I'll stick around for moral support. Best of luck.

Hey Jim,

Don't do this to me. I need all the help I can get. I'm really horrible after 9 PM. And you are a great whelper.

cant offer any help other then do EXACTALLY what mary says she knows what shes talking about..im here with moral support to!

OK! No pressure guys. We all do better in numbers.

lol sorry we just believe in you girl! if it was me ide have you on the phone for HOURS omg she sneezed what happened!

Here's some info:

Stages of Labor.

First Stage
Uterine contractions, dilation of cervis, abdominal discomfort, panting; may last three to six hours. The dam may refuse to eat and may have loose stools or a water bag appear.

Second Stage
Expulsion of the fetal sac (water bag). This is no reason to panic. The dam may take long naps with a water bag just lying at the vulva with occasional contractions for two or three hours and still be okay. If she is pushing steadily for an hour with no results and nothing is in the vaginal canal, you should get in touch with your vet.

The pup's head or tail may be presented first. It is pefectly normal to have posterior presentation. Do not interfere too quickly. Encourage her to continue pushing. If she stops pushing and the water bag is broken and the is more than halfway out, you may want to grasp the pup with a warm wet wash cloth and apply pressure (don't pull) to encourage her to push out the rest of the pup. If that doesn't work, then it is ok to use some KYT on a sterilized gloved finger and work it around the vaginal opening while applying pressure in the direction of natural birthing.

Mary, I'll stick around and will assist in any way possible, but I'm certain you are better versed in picking up on signs of distress in the Mom than I. Looks like this will be a whelp with just the basics and I hope that girl wakes up and has those babies. A Mom trying to sleep at this time is something I've never encountered and that has me concerned that maybe she doesn't have a lot of strength.

Betty, do you have any Nutri-Cal or karo syrup handy?

I've had them sleep in the first stage of labor.

Betty, has she had any contractions? Are they hard and if so how many in a row?

may i just restate this because its sooo important and so many new to the process dont know or will do it in a panic DO NOT PULL!! on the pup they are SO fragile

Third Stage

Expulsion of the fetal membranes. The placenta (afterbirth) should pass after each pup. Please observe if a placenta has not passed for each pup and notify your vet. The bitch should have an injection of Posterior Oxytocin Pituitary (POP) if she has retained a placenta. As a matter of fact, I always give it to be sure the uterus contracts and to increase milk letdown within twelve to twent-four hours of the whelping.

If is not necessary to do a c-section to remove the placentas. Believe it or not, I've heard of this being done. An injection of POPusually help0s the bitch to pass the placenta.

Complications.

If the dam has been pushing hard and steady for half an hour and there is no pup in sight, put on a surgical sterile glove and insert your finger in the vaginal canal to feel if there is a pup in the canal. This is called "feathering" and sometimes will make the bitch get down to business and push some more, If the pup is right ther, another few pushes should get it out. If not, alert your vet immediately.

Other danger signs before, during and afther whelping - Call Your Vet

Constant hard labor for more than an hour with no results
Green or odorous discharge from the vulva
An interval of two hours between pups with occasional hard labor
Any part of a pup stuck or protruding from the vaginal canal
One hour of hard labor and no puppies
Three hours of no labor between pups and you think there is another pup.

It is a good idea to try to get the first pup or two nursing, because this will cause a release of natural oxytocin and may help her to begin contractions againto deliver the remaining pups.

You can pull gently with a contractions. But, never by the limbs, always under the shoulders or at the body.

Ok guys step in and give advice on what to do once the pup is born.

now you see why we trust your guidance ...i hope mommas ok

It appears she's off line. I've given her my phone #. If you guys are up for awhile and need my help I'll PM you with it.