Can some one please explain to me. My bitch has alot of loose skin between her legs which she didnt have befor she came into season, her nipples are quite large, but have read that the mamary glands enlarge and develop more tissue.  This would be her first whelp. Sorry if i sound thick

How long ago since your bitch was mated? A lot of bitches get the same symptoms with a phantom, so you will have to wait till she can see the vet of conformation. You need to buy and study The Book of the Bitch, for yours and the bitches sake.

I have got it and read it thousands of times. She was mated 4 weeks last saturday.

Yes, it could be either are you having her scanned, if so that should tell you if she is in whelp or it is something else.

Yes i phoned last week and they said she needs to be 4/5weeks, is that around the right time.

Yes i would definately recommend having her scanned as bitches can have lots of signs of pregnancy including mammary development only to be having a phantom.Scanning saves all the "is she" isnt she"and is excellent in monitoring a difficult pregnancy.

It is important to know as the feeding should be the exact oppersite if you are feeding an in whelp bitch to feeding one who thinks they are. And there is always the risk that it is Pyo as I know to my costs.

please dont think that i wont have her scanned because i need to know, but other posts have suggested that their scans have not given conclusive results

That is correct it will not give you a number of pups you can rely on, but if the operator is any good you should know it the bitch is in whelp or not, and if not, if it should be investigated further to rule out Pyometra.

My girl was only day 26 when she was scanned and confirmed pregnant!  I didn't ask for numbers just to confirm pregnancy, my vet did say that if nothing showed - as it was quite early - that she would do the scan free of charge in a weeks time.  She could see the little sacks with, as she called it, little fishes swimming inside.  She said she did have a bitch to scan the week before, that showed black sacks but sadly it turned out to be a pyo and had to be spayed the same day :-(