My girl is in recovery from c section to remove two dead puppies. She is bouncing back to health but last night started crying constantly and gathering certain toys, which she transfers around the house, cuddles them and licks them. We can't close any doors in case one is in the wrong room. I am being very careful not to mention puppies or babies, but don't know if this will pass shortly or stimulate milk etc. So far am ignoring these puppies but not sure whether to remove them. The crying is loud and have tried to distract her attention. Any advice.

You need to remove the toys from her.  Hope she improves soon.

Kinda thought that, but feels a bit hard. Thanks

You need to remove toys and comfort object too,

As it is hot it shouldn't be difficult to pick up all bedding/beds so she has nowhere to nest.

Then lots of excersise/trips out, and cut down on her food intake especially the protein, and as soon as she is able lots more walks to get her mind out of Mum mode.

I had this exact same situation when my Ginny lost a litter. Funnily enough I was given the opposite advice by everyone I asked. i.e. let her keep the toys, and so I did.  I found after a while she stopped mothering the toys, she sort of worked through it and eventually realised they were just toys and then abandoned them. I did also increase exercise. It took a couple of weeks, then she was normal again mentally -but those first couple of weeks were very sad indeed.

Thanks everyone. I have removed her toys and given her a new ball which she ignores unless we roll it for her. So hopefully that's it. She's only getting gentle walks for now, she still howls and cries when left alone though, but i suppose it's the same treatment, no going in our bed or cuddling up on the sofa, she wasn't usually allowed these things anyway, maybe in kids rooms. So just get her back to normal, i did have problems getting her to eat after op, the "vet" said give her anything to get her eating again, otherwise she'll not heal.