I'm trying to remain calm, but she just did a poo (second in about two hours after doing a huge one this morning), and it was very sloppy, and then just liquid, water-like. She hasn't eaten breakfast this morning (in fact, she didn't eat very much yesterday either) and was acting a little restless last night. She's not digging or panting yet though; I thought this would come first!

She's on day 61 so I'm thinking, very cautiously, that this could be it?!

Sounds like it ;)

I hope so, I've laid everything out just in case!

She's just vomitted bile outside; oo!

Hi, when l was breeding, l used to find that, once they started to clear themselves out, it was not long before they started in earnest. Good luck, and don't let her out of your sight for a second. Josie

ooh exciting stuff keep us posted

Definitely sounds like it -good luck! Not all bitches have a long stage with digging and panting, some just suddenly start giving birth.

I won't, I promise. She's fast asleep beside me, I can see the pups kicking away, the most active I've ever seen them actually. Perhaps these are small contractions? They're in the same place and very rippling, whereas usually there's the occasional ripple and a foot pokes out.

Trying hard to be calm and enjoy it, but I'm scared for my baby girl and what's about to happen to her.

I had a bitch in the summer of 2010 who started clearing out.  And clearing out.  And clearing out.

After 2 days of it I took her to the veterinary hospital for a scan, because I was worried about why she had not started labour.  And I have witnessed a lot of whelpings over the years.  Just never had a bitch with such awful runs.  I was shampooing her bum so often that she was hiding from me!

The vet stood my bitch on a table, and lifted her tail.  A water sack appeared, and she gave me a room to deliver my pups in!  I have never seen such an easy delivery.  But I certainly didn't see any strong contractions either.

She had the runs abotu a week ago and you're right; I got sick of wiping her bottom every time she came back in!

I'm waiting patiently now, hoping and praying. How long does it take on average after the 'clearing out'?

Mine started to clear out about 24hrs before real labour. I have been following your posts on here and looking forward to hearing the exciting news, smooth whelping vibes to you and your girl :)

I'm so excited for you! Make sure you keep updated on fb (as im sure you will!!)

Thanks everyone!

Watching her like a hawk now...urgently!

It's funny, for the past few weeks I've been reading so many threads back through the old boards that follow the bitch going into labour and then what she has, etc. I guess this one is mine! I hope so, anyway!

Well so far she's sat in the whelping area beside me, staring at me but that glazed look if you get what I mean. I can't tell if she's having small contractions, or if she's just whinging really quietly at me. She won't lay down, and occasionally she'll stand up and sniff where she was sat, with her tail down and slightly curled. Very bizzare!

They get a sort of 'inward looking' look if you know what I mean don't they :)

Hahaha, yes, exactly!

> staring at me but that glazed look if you get what I mean.

obviously you know your bitch so hopefully you wont confuse this look with the look they have with inersia.

Fingers crossed she gets going soon :-)

Small contractions have started! She's sat up watching everyone, her whole body squeezing gently, slowly.

Good luck ...

Very best of luck, get that coffee pot going. :-D

Good luck hope it all goes well for you.

Fast asleep again! I'm beginning to think those 'contractions' were my imagination. Pups are so, so active in there now. Flask has been made up with strong coffee!

Good grief never read posts so fast to find out what's happening!!

Sooo exciting!! Fingers crossed, toes crossed, keep posting!! You'll not be sleeping tonight either way the ole adrenalin will be pumping!!

Looks like you may be in for a long night, bet you wont need matchsticks though :)
Well maybe tomorrow ;)
Good luck.

Karen

I'll take those matchsticks; so far she's just sat in her bed looking about the place. I'm sooo tired and have just woken up for my shift as my OH has work tomorrow! She's just curled up to sleep now, so I think this will be a long, empty night for me!

Wishing you lots of luck:)

How is she doing so far....whats the betting she makes you wait till about 6am!!!

No doubt! She's fast asleep so far, I took her out about half an hour ago and she wouldn't pee or poo, but she was, and I can only call it waddling. Her legs were far apart like she was going to poo, but she was refusing to. Right now she's fast asleep; earlier I touched her belly and she clenched up and gave a moan...so I'm wondering if she's in early labour and waiting till tomorrow morning!

There are perks. Sipping my flask of coffee...and tonight's Corrie is being shown at 2:30am before tonight's airing!

Little bit of digging and mucus, now nothing, faaast asleep again. 5am does not feel good. ;)

I've not been up long, any news, when does your shift end? No problem staying awake when something is happening but difficult when the object of your watch is fast a sleep.

Exactly, it was so hard last night, eventually at about half 6 this morning she crawled up into my lap and we fell asleep together until half seven. She's gone out for a pee, looooong stringy mucus, and is now...fast asleep again. She didn't eat anything, but she keeps 'nosing' her vet bed, getting a piece of kibble and just nosing it about the place. Weird little waggamama baby. ;)

Will try and get some sleep today; I liked your comment about where does my shift end. My answer? It doesn't! :D

Well grab as much sleep as you can, the real watch starts when you have whelps to watch out for. If you can get her to sleep with you that's good because you would soon know if something starts.

I'll do that this morning then, thanks chuck. xx

> getting a piece of kibble and just nosing it about the place.

My bitch did a similar odd thing, when her food was put down for her she'd walk around it sort of trying to cover it. i imagine she was imitating burying food for later.

Fingers crossed you both get some rest.

That's a comfort then, I did wonder if she was trying to bury it.

Just had a massive nap with her, now she's in her box, but she just looked up at me and is quivering slightly. She's curled up again now and has stopped, but I heard shaking is similar to panting?

Sounds like you are getting very close.

you will be on continental shifts now,wishing you the best of luck for a safe and speedy delivery.

Sheila

I've watching this thread since it started, I just want to wish you luck and do keep posting!  I'll never breed and this is as close as I'll ever get, so bit of a surrogate litter lol.. best wishes to mummy to be.

Thanks everyone; I really hope it's a speedy delivery and comes soon, she's sleeping a lot now and her tummy is rock hard. I would love a day time litter! Pah, I hear you say, wouldn't we ALL. ;)

Multi, I know exactly what you mean; I love reading these threads from years gone by and feel in the thick of it, my pulse racing as it gets closer. Didn't realise how much waiting was involved! Must say, even after the faffing about with the eye test hassle, the Friday night four hour journey to the stud (then 3 back!), the agonising about is she, isn't she...THIS is the hardest part so far!!!

I do hope for your sake she moves things along now, plenty of strong coffee and redbull :) Its exciting when you've watched the journey from start to finish and very reassuring to have CD at your fingertips (no substitute for vets etc but incredibly helpful)

I agree so wholly, this forum has been indispensable for me as a new breeder! My lovely lovely sister brought round some Red Bull and coffee for me, bless her, so I'm all set!

so I'm all set!

May I suggest some sweet food for stamina and pain killers for the ache bought on from sitting staring at her sleeping form for too long. And guess what, bet she starts when you dash to the toilet.

I've been glued to this thread, she's really milking it now isn't she! Tell her get a move on! :-)

Lucy, I do keep staring meaningfully at her! I want the puppies now please young lady!

Nova, I'm so lucky to have the family I do; I'm currently munching through Party Rings! Care packages have been brought to me with loads of sweet things inside to keep me going. I'm praying for tonight, as my OH has tomorrow off and I'd like a nap in when she's had them. ;)

If your like me you won't be able to sleep coz you'll just want to keep watching them :)

I think it is time for the Vindaloo and the ride along a bumpy road.

I was hoping to see that the pups have finally arrived. They do say a watched pot never boils but sure as fate if you took your eyes off her for too long she would suddenly start whelping.

More pups are born at night because it is quieter and the bitch feels safer letting nature take over.

My girl would cover her food dish with newspaper she had shredded up and then go and remove it have a couple of pieces of kibble and then cover it over again.

Is she eating or drinking at all, some will eat and drink between pups. Giving her some vet drops will keep her energy levels up to cope with the labour.

I have been online with breeders all over the world whilst their bitches have been whelping, with all the time differences there is usually someone awake somewhere.

I think the Vindaloo is definately needed now. ;)

I'm not overly worried as her due date is tomorrow, but I do hope they come tonight. I'm definately not leaving her side (I actually did the dishes today whilst she was asleep in her whelping box, I had to keep creeping back to check on her).

She's eating and drinking fine, and drinking both normal and glucose water to keep her energies up. I've got some vanilla ice cream too!

This morning I felt like a zombie, but totally justified posting here; I must say I post on another forum and feel silly for getting excited about the tiny things, but here I don't! I know you allll know about those tiny things and how exciting a loose motion can be, lol!

Ooh, party rings, yummy! Off you go for a bumpy car ride then. :-) My girl gave virtually no sign when she had her first litter, I only saw one big contraction, and it was lucky she was standing in the whelping box when the first one suddenly arrived!

Gorrrd, I hope she doesn't do that to me, what if I'm getting a cuppa?! ;)

drop it and run