I typed a nice bit reply on one of the whelping posts then hit post and it was locked :-)

So I tweeked it a bit. I don't know why I am really posting it but if it helps someone then I will be glad I did :-))

I just wanted to say to my fellow members that really some of the recent whelping stories from other members are worth reading I believe we call learn from them. When you sit and read through the whelping story and disect it a bit sometimes things unfold.

Most of you know I am a pro temperature taker not for puppy counting but for a tool to ensure that when problems are there and sometimes not obvious I know I am being warned. ( I also keep telling people that it was a wise old champdog member that taught me :-) )

For me 37.2 and below means labour will begin.

A rise from this prolong drop back up to to 38.5/ 101.3  is generally the warning sign for me.
After the real drop the real rise generally means pups are pretty much imminent.   If things don't start more times than not an unzip is required.

Inertia is quite common with bitches that are very heavily in whelp contrary to what people often think. A big belly full doesn't always make things easier. Just like one puppy only can cause problems.

Low calcium is also very common in bitches that have been in labour for quite a long period.

Now a lot of people say let nature takes it's course regardless of outcome, My comments are not based on the lose of a pup at all and I am not pro section either. For me the biggest fear when there is delays is not puppies but the bitch as she is the one can take the biggest toll if delayed too long. Ie lack of calcium,  possible infections etc etc. Rearing puppies are hard enough.

As I say please don't take this the wrong way and it isnt honestly directed at anyone  I just think people telling what has happened during whelping is benificial to us all and we can learn from it, for me my example and pro temperature taking reinforces how the temperature drop is one of our biggest tool we have in whelping.  " just being there all day with them" doesn't mean you won't miss natures sign of trouble.

As they say, "that's all folks".

Very well put, Blue :p
I've learned lots from reading other breeders' whelping posts, and all the wise advice given. No whelping is exactly the same as another, so always something to learn from other peoples' experiences.