Ive been looking at what im going to be needing if shes in whelp and I came across some whelping kits online http://petnap.co.uk/acatalog/whelping_kits_essential_whelping.html  
Are they worth it or am I best to make my own. So far ive written down some bits I will need ( I know theres more but my brains not with it so if you could see what ive missed that would be great :)  ) A few bits that say £1 before them are things I know they sell in our local £ shop

bulb syringe £3
hand sanitiser £1
face clothes (for drying puppies off)
Whelping box (Done)
Stethoscope
digital thermometor £1
nail scissors £1
towels (free from caravan)
cotton wool £1
medicine syringes (free from chemist)
vaseline/ky jelly £1
latex gloves £1

Top of my list is Dopram V drops to stimulate the pups breathing, Vet/Nutrodrops to boost bitchs energy levels during labour and give to pups who need a boost without filling them up[ Canine Chemist/Hyperdrug best online supplier, they also have whelping kits]

Heat pad plugged in at start of labour. I also have a microwave heat pad for any trips to the vet.

Lots of newspaper for labour and pups to wee on when older.

Vetbed for after labour, several pieces so you always have one clean and dry to put into the whelping box.

Forceps to clamp cord, dental floss to tie off any that won't stop bleeding.

Some way of marking each pup.

Scales

Another one here that always makes up their own.  First 2 most important on my list are Dopram and obstetric gel.  I wouldn't mess about with rubbish like Vaseline or KY jelly TBH.

Flannels are too small for drying pups with -they don't even do my newborn kittens. You need hand towels. At least 3 large vet beds and digital scales.

thanks ladies ive added all that to the list x

I use face cloths from the £1 shop,8 in a pack, I get 3 packs,wash and dry them, put them in a pile on the radiator and take the one from the bottom each time and discard when wet and get the next one, the right size to grab hold of a breech pup that may need help getting the head out.

yeah I think I will get some anyway. Even if its just to wipe my own hands on if needed or wiping things down  x

That's what I do Rhodach, but I get mine from IKEA, big packs there if you can find them. I use a couple each puppy normally and they were useful when we whelped my bitch.

I used the Petnap kit, found it great and quick delivery, I also ordered vet bed and a heatpad from them. Where does everyone get their microwaveable pads from for vet trips, please?

Im going to add to my own list ....3 ring paddling pool £3.99 (argos) .... Im going to out this in for whelping in then take it out after a few days so the whelping box stays clean(er) lol

I don't find my whelping box gets particularly messy. I put newspaper down and vet bed on top, personally I hate to pictures of bitches whelping on just newspaper :(  Then I use puppy training pads (or human incontinence pads whichever are cheaper at the time) just put one under the bitches rear end once she starts contractions and they are fabulous at collecting all the fluid, change it for each puppy.

I used cheap asda shower curtains in the whelping box at whelping time to keep it cleaner...

Another vote here for Dopram V, it saved one of my pups lives who stopped breathing every time i stopped rubbing him...until he had a drop of Dopram v.

Mine whelped in a large child sandpit (empty of sand I might add!) lined with puppy pads, then newspaper, then vet bed, then an old sheet. Was really easy to keep clean, threw the sheet away, washed the vet bed, and threw out the pads and paper underneath. The sandpit was inside a very large rectangular swimming pool too, so that I could sit nearby and so that she could sit in the pool part and eat, etc., if she wanted a rest.

I do have a 4ft by 4ft whelping box but thought a paddling pool just actual whelping would keep everything clean

> Where does everyone get their microwaveable pads from for vet trips, please?

I always put a towel in a large cardboard box, and add one of these.  5 minutes in the microwave.

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/microwaveable-heat-pad-by-snugglesafe-14092

Thanks Jean, I'll get one of those. x

Sachets of lectade, hot water bottle and cosy I use not microwavable thing. I have 10 different coloured and patterned extendable puppy id bands. I use baby wipes for toileting.

The heatpad is only £11.99 from Amazon.