hi, have always thought that the drop in temp just before the bitch was due to whelp, was to allow pups to adjust to the temp outside the womb, but just wondered if i am right, or is it just an old wives tale ? if so whats the reason ?

I believe that is correct from advice I have had and all the reading I have done.

A lot of people don't go with this method and just wait and see when they come but for me it works 100%

I take their temperature for 7 days before the due date morning , tea time and bed time.

I have detected and noted the change everytime. All of my bitches ( 3) have had the decrease which stayed down for approx 12 hours ish and all have had their puppies within 24 hours of this change. 2 had theirs within 12 hours the other about 20 hours after I detected the change.

I do a little spread sheet with all of mine so I can always refer back to it.

It is also thought that if the temperature is down for a continual period so the change you are seeing is the " real drop" then if the pups are not born 24-36 hours that COULD ( I stress could) be a sign of problems.

A lot of people rubbish the whole theory but I have done this with all of mine and for me it works.

I was told by my vet that it was due to changes in metabolism which is also why the bitch pants before and after.

Never heard that one Jacky!