Hi everyone, have posted recently so those of you have seen that may be up to date with whats going on here.  I have helped  (and done lots of observing) whelp litters before but never from a maiden bitch, this is my girls first time, her temperature dropped at 4pm yesterday and is still down now. She has nested, was quite restless through the night with occasional panting and a fair few toilet breaks. She is panting more now but not constantly, she was a bit indifferent to her food this morning but still eating (she hasn't gone off her food at all throughout her pregnancy). I can also see some slight movement (definitely not contractions) but its a little high up.  I am just wondering what your experiences of whelping maiden bitches are I.E the length of first stage labour, and the time in between pups during the second stage. Vet is on standby, I probably just need to be patient but am feeling a bit  antsy/super excited since its my own!!!

I have now had two maiden bitches go straight into whelping showing no early stages signs at all, and had others make a meal of it over nearly two days, some even when having had pups before.

Certainly 12 - 24 hours of early stages is not unusual.

Oh gosh, always think "why have I done this?!" at this stage. No more panting just more nesting and licking vulva/ around that area as she can just about reach- she is huge! I guess it really is just a waiting game but I had heard, like your experience, that some (first time or not) can go straight to whelping without signs and I really don't want to miss anything/not be there so I didn't sleep last night, I'm sat in with her as we speak as she is a little clingy, just trying to work out whether I should sleep now or later, I cant imagine her going on like this for another 12 hours she seems pretty uncomfortable.

Yep the lack of sleep is the worst thing about breeding, aside from homing the puppies.

Am really grateful/lucky that I have found excellent homes for puppies with people I know in the local area. Sure isn't always that easy!  All looking well with mum though, shes settled down for now.

Always I thought 'why have I done this (to you)' with my girls, watching them waddling around during the final days.   As for temperature taking, it is a guide, but for me, I count the days, from the first mating even if conception may not have taken place immediately.   If mine go over by more than 2 days, then it's off to the vet.   Mine would go into secondary inertia - going well and then ouch mum = shut down.   That's Bassets for you (some are okay).   

What you may be seeing are little ripples, the first signs of contraction.   But for me again, matters not whether this is a maiden bitch or not.   If she's gone over, then I'd get her at least looked at - if you go in with her, take somebody with you to either drive, or watch her.  And take a box with a warm pad/covers with you and your whelping gear.  And be read to pull over.   Sometimes a car trip gets things going.

Are you sleeping in the whelping room with her - recommended as bitches more often than not, start whelping in the small hours.

ps   I've know Jackies whelp in a matter of hours - like shelling peas and it made me sick when the girl where were living at the time, kept saying 'another has come' and then another ...... all done and dusted in no time - whereas I'd had to virtually pull our Basset puppies out.

Ahh I have heard about the magic of a car trip! I have set up camp in the whelping room with her, and she often comes out of her box for a cuddle or I go on over and sit with her, talking to her and just generally soothing her in anyway I can without being overbearing. She has started to pant quite a bit now and is becoming slightly more restless- she doesn't know whether she wants to sit, stand or lie down, a sign I think that things are moving on. She's going through water like no tomorrow- hasn't gone off food but isn't as enthusiastic about it as she normally is. I have been softening it with warm water so it smells good and is easy to eat. As for the movement, it looks very much like puppy movement although less pronounced and more of an outward push than a ripple. Right now she is down on her front legs with her bum in the air. Her demeanor has changed in the last 20 minutes, shes looking for more reassurance and has that "distant" look in her eyes. I am so glad I joined this forum it has done wonders to help reassure me- can't thank you enough.
Shelling peas= gross! What an expression eh!

maybe try sitting in the room with her because she clearly wants you nearby but try not to watch...leave her to it.hard as it sounds if your anxious she will be too! best left alone they'll get on and do their job...obviously help if she needs it but sometimes less fussing over her is best

>shes looking for more reassurance and has that "distant" look in her eyes.

This is always my sign to never leave my bitch.  That "distant" look is usually pain.