hi all my girl is due in under 2 weeks . I have everything I need and although her pregnancy has been fab I am petrified of impending day .. probably just over reacting . any tips would be greatly  appreciated  ..

First and probably the most important - calm down!!      I know it's difficult, especially if this is your first whelping, but read up all you can (without causing more harm than good - I started with Hilary Harmers book on breeding etc., but had to stop as it was causing me to freak out), get your mentor and VET in place and go with it.   Your girl doesn't need you to be freaking ..... she probably knows way more than you do re natural instinct, in any case.   Because all too often mine went into secondary inertia, I'd always alert my vet that things had started so they were on standby should I need them for a 'Section.    She should be sleeping in her whelping box now, with, during the final week, you in there on a cot to be right there if she starts in the middle of the night.   When she does go into labour, with strong contractions, don't leave her for much over 1 hour without seeing a puppy delivered (each delivery).   If she needs to go out when she's started, during the night, go with her ON HER LEAD.   All too often a bitch will take off and have her puppies anywhere but where you want them to be - or drop one out there to be found dead next morning.

If she does seem to be in trouble, re time since she started working on a puppy, be prepared to get to your vet - have a box with a warm pad in it for any puppies already born to go on - it's a good idea to let them top up before you leave, and have somebody (your mentor!) with you to either drive, or watch your bitch.  Sometimes a car ride gets things moving so be prepared to pull over - take all your whelping equipment with you.   Don't hesitate to involve your vet - better safe than sorry.

Oh and when she starts, put each puppy on her but when the next one is due to be delivered, get them out from under and into a warm box so she doesn't trample them.

GOOD LUCK!

Don't be surprised if she won't sleep or have any interest in the whelping box.

I make sure they know where it is, and once labour is obviously underway get them into it.

I have had several pups delivered outdoors, or en-route .  After the first time it happened I keep a towel over my shoulder with me when she goes to toilet between pups.

The length of time between pups can be very individual, breed or even line dependent  It is useful to know the pattern of events for her female relatives.

In my girls pups are delivered very quickly once they start expelling contractions, but timings between pups can be anything from 10 minutes to several hours, but most often 20 - 90 minutes.

If things are slow walking them around and definitely a ride in the car seems to get things going.

Even in natural easy whelping breeds C sections can become necessary, and I have had to have 3 Sections out of 24 litters. Also despite best efforts stillbirths or losses in first few days are not uncommon, don't dwell but enjoy and put your efforts into the rest of the litter..

thanks for the good advice. she sleeps in her whelping box most of the time . have put her bed in so she gets used to it . pups are very active can see them moving about . she's now on day 59 . no signs of digging or panting . still eating like a pig. fingers crossed all goes well