Hi, I'm currently sat on the floor in the pen with my bitch and her singleton pup.  Pup was born on Friday 8th Feb. Bitch is continuing to frantically dig at her bedding. This is her third litter, first time she had 6 pups, second time 8 but one stillborn and this time 2.  Her first stage of labour lasted far longer than previously and contractions weren't productive.  Eventually, I saw two paws, with each contraction they came out but went back inside when she stopped pushing, I helped deliver him with advice from the vet on the phone, but sadly it was too late to help him. After this I had bitch examined by the vet, who said he couldn't be sure if there were any other pups, he gave us oxytocin injections to bring home.  Shortly after arriving back home with her she delivered a little bitch without difficulty.  She appeared to stay in labour and was contracting for several hours but no more pups appeared, we gave the oxytocin, which didn't produce anything, although she carried on panting and contracting right the way through the night, settling at about 7.30am. She has been bright eyed and bushy tailed since, is eating and tending to her baby well. My bitch has never before done this crazy digging after she's delivered, she's frantic and when outside she's going under the hedge to dig !! - could her behaviour be connected to the fact she only has one pup or that her labour was difficult this time ?? Otherwise things seem ok, pup is feeding well and Mum is loving her to bits. I am a bit wobbly after the traumatic labour experience which I know could have been much worse so I am counting my blessings, but this digging behaviour is concerning me, cannot bear the thought of any harm coming to this precious little pup.  I'd also really appreciate any advice about rearing a singleton, I swear she's growing by the hour !!
Thanks in advance J

my girl had pups on the 5th and shes still digging i have to watch her like crazy at 1st but now shes doing it wen she comes out her whelping box so pups will be ok (im still here watching them and will be till theyve left ) im hoping she stops soon every delivery can be different for same bitch and they can act different too the book of he bitch says it lasts around a week so im hopeing it ends very soon she these areaweek old 2day x

Has it been professionally confirmed that there's nothing left inside?

Jeangenie,
Well yes and no I suppose . .our vet (old school type who we have great faith in)  examined her and said he can feel uterine thickening but is quite sure there are no puppies left.  He gave us the oxytocin to use and is confident that it would have cleared her out. He gave us warnings to look out for in her and she seems fine, no temp, slight discharge but nothing much at all, she's eating and happy in herself doesn't seem in the least bit uncomfortable BUT we haven't had her scanned. . .do you think we need to push and insist she has one ?? She's enjoying being Mum and very attentive to the pup. It's just this digging !! It seems less frantic this morning and she's asking to go out to dig under the hedge instead of trying to do it the whelping bed at the moment, so I'm crossing fingers that the urge is subsiding for her.
Thanks

I had always heard that the digging was a reaction to the womb contracting back. Anyone else heard that?

That is exactly what I understood. I do not know whether it is discomfort or actual pain but digging helps to relieve the situation.

they do say its down to pain and thats why they do it when in labour ...its the same for us i had bad after pains after the kids so im sure dogs would!.

my girl as just gone mad digging her bed for 10mins and has ripped it ,shes stopped now and gone to lay down but goes mad when doing it im starting towonder when it will end!

I agree with AlisonGold.  She is in pain with the contractions of the womb.  I find it perfectly normal.  Some of my bitches have lasted longer, with quite heavy panting. 

But I find the digging normal.

In women afterpains get worse with each baby its likely to be the same for bitches?

We have been given buscopan from the vets in the past, which has helped.

Jo