I had a litter a couple of days ago, the last puppy born was in no less than 5 bags, mom was to busy with other things, so I had to break them, not a problem, did the first one fine, not too surprised to find another, as have had this before, but they just went on and on, there were five in all as well as a very thick band of the stuff round the puppies middle,  was I getting frantic or what, each bag seemed to get tougher, and I could see his little mite inside, but couldn't get to it, anyway panic over, puppy was fine.  Just found this abundance of bags strange, or perhaps someone out there will tell me its not so strange.

Ooh, like pass the parcel! Glad pup's all right. :)

Have had a labrador litter where the pups were in 3 - 4 bags each. Bitch hadn't had it with the first litter. The sacs were really hard to break.

got a litter due next week OH! now i,m panicking  more than one bag i know i won,t be very calm how did you break  them open did you do it where pups head is 1st? this is only 2nd litter last litter of 6 5 where backwards . getting cobbie wobbles thinking about it .think i.d better get some rescue in

have a pair of scirrors on stand bye.in stead of thumb/finger

I broke the sacs under the chin there was more depth there to really push and pull. Have only ever had it in the one litter. Had another breeder with me at that whelping and she had never seen it before either.
The first one I did panick the following ones you are ready for so you just get on with it and know you have to work quicker and harder.
Good luck with your litter.

I had never seen this until last weekend.  My bitch was busy nursing and cleaning, and didn't even turn round to attend to the last one born.  I was a bit taken aback at the strength of it, 3 sacs in all.  I eventually found out, like dogcrazy mentions, that aiming under the chin got faster results.  I was anxious that I was taking too long, the membrane was so tough, but the pup was fine.  Once head was free, and mouth clear, I gave it to Mum to finish.   She carried on just fine, and I got the bitch I wanted!!

Thanks for that, now I know its not so unusual. Would just say to anyone with similar probelm, DONT PANIC, like anything in an emergency seconds seem like hours, I used finger and thumb, dont like the idea of scissors that close to a whelping bitch, as they can whip round to see what going on so quickly.  Sure your litter will be fine, now you know, and I know, its not such a rarity wont be quiet so fazed next time.  Thanks for all the replys.

Boy I've never seen that in 25 years and friends are always asking me to help when their bitches in whelp.  You learn something new every day :d

I bred my first litter 20 years ago and have never come across this.  Astonishing!

I've known then to come in a couple of bags, but never 5, that's an amazing number. If it's a bitch you should register it as Russian Doll.

OMG that makes me alarmed too as I'm planning my first litter! My friend's puppies tend to appear without bags at all, but I've never heard of multiple bags!! Must say I love the name Russian Doll though. :-D

Good idea, but it was a wee laddy.