Hello Everyone! I am hoping to get some tips from your experiences.

My girl is only 10 days away from her due date with her first litter. She has become *very* large as her scan indicates around 9 pups, and she is showing everyone (they are very easy to feel moving around when I lightly touch her side!) She has slowed down incredibly (almost apathetically). Our walks each day have become shorter and shorter and give her tons of comfort and praise for all she is going through.
I was just wondering other things/tips that you all might do during this time to give comfort to your girls when they are just plain big and uncomfortable looking.

Thanks in advance from Idaho:-)

Hi there,

It's really hard watching them in the later stages isn't it :(   Brings back memories of how I felt when "waddling like a duck" in the last stages of pregnancy!  You're probably already doing all you can do by ensuring that she's still getting her exercise but allowing it to be at her pace only.   My girl was really very athletic right up until just under a week before she whelped but then suddenly she just started to potter about and barely broke into more than a trot as the time got nearer.

Can't offer much advice I'm afraid, but give her lots of extra cuddles - mine got very clingy :P

Good luck, Teri

Again lot's of love and cuddles you could actually stop any exercise now as they can have their pups up to a week before the due date.  If you've got a garden I'm sure she'll be happy in there and if she's anything like my Spanish an odd bit of digging will keep her happy :d

Good luck and I hope that all goes well.

Digging, dont talk to me about digging, my ESS is still 3 weeks away and is already trying to dig under the trees to make herself a nice nest, trouble is she digs and breaks the fence at the bottom, then the cocker spaniel pup trys to get thru, arghhhhhh. She dug constantly with her last litter as well and up to 1 week after they were born, mad dog!!!!!

The most important thing is to make sure she got something to lie her stomach on.  Tigger has only got a few days to go although you wouldnt think so as she is still running around like a looney but she likes to be able to stretch out preferably on the sofa.  Make sure you are feeding her little and often and just pamper her.  I hate this part I feel like the most horrible person on earth as she looks so fat and permanatly has a sad look on her face. 

You guys are awesome!! Thank you so much for your support. I feel much better about the situation- I will just continue to love, love, love- as always.
I have been reading all of your current postings "thomas-the-spot" and I gathered that our girls were about the same time along. Good luck to you as well! Be sure to post and let us all know how it goes:-)

Much thanks from Idaho!!

And don't forget to post when the babes arrive and let us know how things went :)

Although you'll be forgiven if it's a day or two after the event - you'll probably end up just as tired and more shell shocked than your bitch!

Good luck, Teri :P

Oh god I must be going on again :)  I am rather like a kid at christmas when it comes to my puppies being born.  I am just keeping my fingers crossed for my liver girl her litter sister has produced 3 of them.  I cant wait!!!!!

Let us all know when your babies arrive too.

my bitch is due anytime soon and too is looking very uncomfortable, its so hard watching her like this!  She has been scratching her nipples as they have really enlarged so lots of cool washes on the undercarridge go down well.   

That is a great little tip! Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your girl- please post again and let us all know how it goes. Doesn't it just seem like these last few days are taking forever!!!

definately cant take my eyes off her and i feel like im picking up on any little sign! will let you know as soon as anything happens, hope to here from you again soon

You know I am doing the same thing!! Right now when she is laying on her side I can actually visually see the movement (like little waves and pokes throughout her belly simultanously!!) Seems like it is getting closer:-)

Fingers-crossed in Idaho:-)

Still nothing here in england, shes lying by my feet now and it looks like shes got aliens in there. They dont look very contented, hopefully it will happen in the next couple of days. Temp is normal and shes still eating well. Cant take this suspense for much longer! Any news in Idaho?

Sam is 62 days today. I know exactly what you mean, watching her belly is like something out of sci-fi movie! Her temp dropped to 98 degrees last night, she began panting non-stop this morning, and she will not leave the whelping box. (Luckily I have wireless laptop so I am camped out working on my dissertation in the mudroom where her whelping box is placed.) She is still eating a little though (?)
Definitely at the waiting game stage- much like watching a kettle boil:-) I have a feeling that I am in for a long night.

Thank you for your posting- I have been thinking about you and your girl as well! Please keep me posted:-)

Ruby is 62 days today and had us up at half six this morning panting and scratching at her bedding, as the days gone on shes started to pant more and more, dig in her whelping box and has been sick a few times, i think shes a little nervous. Shes now calmed right down and i think shes going to make us wait a little longer. She ate this morning but was sick shortly after. Has Sam had her puppies yet? How is she getting on? Its good to have someone to talk to in the same boat as this is my first whelp,  feeling quite confident about it all at the moment. Had a little look on your website, your dog is gorgeous! Hopefully will see your puppy pics soon. Hope to hear from you soon.

Paula