Hi all,

Day 59 here from date of first mating (no ovulation test).

I started temperature charting on day 56 as per the DebbieJenson method. I take a reading 4 times a day at 7am, 12pm, 5pm and 10pm. I don't take a reading during the night.

I've also been sleeping in the whelping room since day 56 as she's been nesting at night and I'd rather be in the room all night than up and down the stairs checking her constantly!

This litter is so different from her last!

She's been sick like clockwork at around 4am, digging only when she goes to bed for the night (even though she sleeps in the whelping pen during the day too by choice. She had a mucous show yesterday after urinating, it was a cloudy/clear colour so I assumed it may be part of her plug. She's been clingy for a few days and jumps up ever time I even move to change position! But otherwise she's happy and calm.

Here is a list of her temps so far

8.12.14

7am.      99.86

12pm.     99.14

5pm.       99.14

10pm.     99.32

9.12.14

7am.       99.86

12pm.     99.32

5pm.       99.86

10pm.     99.14

10.12.14

7am.       99.14

12pm.     98.42!!

5pm.       99.36?

At 12 today I thought, ok so here's the drop, but now I'm thinking it was just a fluctuation? She had a period of panting for about ten mins earlier but now calm and happy. Eating well, toileting well. Anyone tell me what try thinks going on?!

A see a sharp drop to mid 36C if I catch it.....thats around 97.7F.
I used to do it religiously but now I don't bother, shivering, panting and the far away stare usually let's me know.

As I understood it 'the drop' would be below 97.

Debbie Jenson says 98 or lower, other sources say a drop of more than 1degree I think I have some more waiting to do....

The drop doesn't last long and very easy to miss.  It will only tell you pups should arrive in next 24 hours.  I find the clearing out a much better indicator that things are imminent. 

Nothing happening tonight by the looks of things, she's sound asleep in the whelping pen!

Someone here who just don't bother with the temperature taking.  Why?  If you wanted to shove something up my backside that often I would definitely growl (or worse.)

Why would I mess my bitch about when I get it right by knowing "that look" as well as the other signs indicating we are on our way.  I do sleep down with my girls from day 56 as that is the day mine tend to favour for whelping.

Not saying I'm right and the OP is wrong.  But people who lurk need to know that there are differing opinions. 

Absolutely! Everytime I say to myself 'won't bother this time' and then the temptation gets the better of me! Still nothing happening :-(

Today's temps:

7am 98.14

11:45. 97.7..... According to Debbie this means that labour is within 34 hours
:-)

Good luck. :-)

Thanks :-) she's still pretty chilled so I guess she's waiting til bedtime! Bless ha!

Someone here who just don't bother with the temperature taking.  Why?  If you wanted to shove something up my backside that often I would definitely growl (or worse.)

Somebody else who really doesn't take much notice of temperature - it will fluctuate during the final weeks, but only once it drops to around 97-ish and stays down, together with how far into her pregnancy she is, is whelping likely to begin within 48 hours.   Again depending on her due date which I tend to stick with.   If mine went over by more than a couple of days, or were obviously in distress before then, I'd be off to the vet.

Had to giggle at this reply!!

Haha, I giggled too, I'd be running a mile! Luckily she doesn't really care what you do to her, any fuss is good fuss :-) she's day 60 today and lost some plug, she's been quite restless, we'll wait and see, popped into my vets this morning to let them know she's due. They have 24hoit cover all the time so there's good backup if we run into problems...I've never been good at waiting without being anxious!

I think it's a good idea to alert the vet when a bitch starts.   But that's probably me with my C.Sections!!   This wasn't anything to do with size, just when my girls felt the first sign of pain, it was ouch mum - you arranged to have them put in, now get them out...... secondary inertia.   Have to say it was quite an eye-opener when we lived with people who bred Jackies.    It was like shelling peas.   All done in a couple of hours and wonderful mums too.   Not that my girls weren't but it was the getting there, usually.

I can barely remember to take any meds three times a day.

Now that does sound familiar.

>Someone here who just don't bother with the temperature taking.  Why?  If you wanted to shove something up my backside that often I would definitely growl (or worse.)<br />

Me too.

Also would never remember to do it at right times, I can barely remember to take any meds three times a day.

Looks like the drop was right though, we're well into first stage now! Looking forward to a long night :-)

Good luck

Guess you're still up.  :-)

Wishing you luck for a trouble free time.  (It's normal to feel anxious.)

Thank you Jean...I think I'm more nervous this time because it's her last litter :-)