Just wondering if anyone else has come across the behaviour we had from Sapphire when she was in labour.

I'm just so glad that we were there with her because I doubt that any of the pups would have survived otherwise.
She had no idea at all about removing the plastic wrapper lol
Very tough membranes they were as well I had to use finger nails and quite a lot of force to open them. I'm glad that I have now read this forum because I thought I was going mad when I found a double bagged puppy. I'd never come across that before.

But the main problem was the digging.
She was a very enthusiastic nest builder and newspaper shredder before labour started. But then when the pains started she seemed to think she could dig away the pain and the digging was really fast, frantic,, manic. She had a glazed look in her eyes as she dug and if I hadn't removed the pups she would really endangered them with her digging. She has made quite deep scratches in the whelping box with it. She wasn't hearing when I spoke to her and I was having to stroke her quite firmly before she would pause and look at me.

I've had bitches that dug before but never as compulsively as that. I wondered if anyone else had come across it?

yes completely normal behaviour and the digging is also in response to the pain. glazed look is normal and a sign of about to start pushing, id be pre-occupied, wouldnt you?
digging can continue after birth as well so watch 24/7 so she doesnt endanger pups

agree with tina s

Perfectly normal reaction to pain.  I wouldn't have taken any notice of you either!  :-)

I agree bags can be a nightmare.  The worst I ever had was triple bagged and I thought pup was going to suffocate before I got it open.  They were tough as old boots.