I'm almost convinced that I am not 'counting my chickens ....' and have started to plan. I have ordered 4 more sheets of vetbed and ordered wormer from the canine chemist along with hibiscrub, a new heat lamp, syringes, obstetric gel and some umbilical clamps. 

I do have the Book of the Bitch and have gloves, newspaper, etc and all the stuff they tell you to get.  Reading through the canine chemist catalogue it got me wondering if I should get Milk substitute just in case, Dopram drops, Calciboost, etc.  I do think I need to draw a line between being prepared and buying things for the sake of it, but want to do what is right and this is first time.

There is no history of problems with whelping from sister, mother, grandmum on both sides which is encouraging and no intervention was needed with any of those litters.  I feel like a very anxious expectant grandparent and I am sure the anxiety levels will rise daily for the next 4 weeks.

Over and above the 'normal' stuff (gin, vodka, etc), what should I get in to prepare?  Any advice champdoggers?

Apart from the obvious essentials you mentioned (gin, vodka...) to be honest I didn't have half that stuff (still don't)! If your breed (forgive me, it's late and I can't remember) is a natural whelper, the best thing in you emergency kit is your vet's phone number. The whelping box gets plenty of newspaper (vetbed for when whelping has finished), hands are thoroughly washed (at least 1 minute) and that's it. Fingernails (even chewed) are enough for cords (in 30 years I've never had to sever a cord) and anything else can wait till the vet arrives.

Good luck! :)

You can't beat a good old fashioned hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket to put pups on if there is a problem and sometimes when each new pup arrives if mum is too busy to attend . Also pen and paper to jot down times.
Good luck..I used to love it when puppies were born on summer nights..walking out on the wet grass at dawn feeling the dew on my bare feet..a cup of tea in hand and squeaking milky smelling pups (I love puppy smell) with their happy mum!! :-D

Jackie,

One thing I didn't have ready this time, it slipped my mind was a box prepared in the car. For things like, a rubbish bag, loads of paper towels, a coupel bits of vet bed, Hot water bottle,  small rounded nail scissors in case you needed them. OH and a drink for the bitch as you will have your heating up full . I had to scrabble about making one up when I just wanted to get my bitch to the vet. I would not forget that again as it certainly is easier to fill a hot water bottle and run.   Remember if you take your bitch to the vet with no puppies as yet, fill the bottle anyway as in my case 1 arrived in the car going to vets, one arrived coming back, one at the vets.  I did use the unbilical clamp for the 1st puppy and not the rest as once I clamped it I had trouble getting it undone again and had to hold the puppy and get my husband to unclip it. The rest I did with my nails at the vets and in the car..  This was a bit more difficult though up on my knees in the back of the car on a country lane so if I had the clamp with me I may have used it again even though I felt it was a tiny bit tricky. :-))

I used a bottle of nail polish to mark the puppies so if you have a sheet prepared to write everything down and mark as they arrive  etc.

Hi, and on the same thesem remember to keep the tank with plenty of fuel in it - you dont want to be in a panic at 3am trying to get ot the vets, but needing to find an all night service station first!

I have hot water bottles in the kit too, but also one of those littlem instant heating pouches which you get to warm baby bottles in, when you are out and about.  Similar things have been on sale at a couple of dog shows recently, but the baby ones (got my John Lewis) are a lot cheaper!.  You simply push a little metal button and the gel in side the pouch goes sort of solid and heats up!  It is great for bringing pups back from the vet, if an emergency should occur.

On top of that, remember to have lots of kitchen roll in stock, carrier bags/bin bags for all the rubbish a whelpling produces, pen and pad, scales (I am sure you have already covered all this) oh, and dont forget the thermometer!  Then rehydrating stuff (Lectade or Dioralyte) and glucose.  And a feeding bottle/dropper, just in case, plus either puppy formula or the ingredients for the Carnation milk mix (which I prefer).  And dont forget the camera, and make sure its batteries are new!  Godd luck!

bye
Gwen

I tend to have a feeding bottle just in case (never needed it, but better safe than sorry) and milk replacer. Your bitch will take the milk replacer if your puppies dont need it. Also I give honey and goats milk to the bitch for restoring her energy and also Arnica and rescue remedy after the birth. Both of these are useful for your doggy first aid, even without whelping.
Enjoy!