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I want to thank everyone for the incredible information about the birthing process.  It means the world to me.

Molly had her pups Wed morning, starting around 3 AM.    Sadly, only the first four survived.

Molly, herself, didn't seem to have a difficult time.  She was given some vanilla ice cream - and it seemed to stabilize her blood sugar - so no shakes.  And my daughter arrived the day before - so I was worrying needlessly about that.

This was the first time I attended a birth and it was bittersweet.  Our regular vet was gone on vacation, but we had the number of a stand-by vet and we gave her a call when Molly first went into labor.  Nice gal, young and didnt' mind being roused in the wee hours at all. 

I had the job of holding the baby to her momma for licking while my daughter took care of the cord.  The first one totally shocked me - the mess that arrived with the pup, but just helping out was fantastic.

When the fifth pup came out - my daughter cursed.  I couldn't figure out why - but the sack it was in - was a little different, kind of crinkly looking.  She worked on the puppy for a couple of minutes and told me it was no use.  I wanted to try longer - so she handed the little girl to me.  I rubbed, used the aspirator and did the 'puppy swing' until my daughter told me to quit - that it had been over five minutes without any air and there was no real chance anymore.  We had a physicians stethoscope - it was silent.  I had the hardest time stopping my efforts.  Part of me knew I had to stop - but another part of me wanted a miracle.  I haven't cried so much in a long time. 

The vet on the phone was not encouraging anymore.  She told us we needed to get the other puppies out.  We were instructed to walk Molly outside to try to get her to deliver them.  We did and she delivered the next one in about fifteen minutes - but the same thing happened, although with this baby - my daughter suggested I not work on it as long - its tongue and feet were white - a bad sign I guess.  After that, Molly relaxed, laid down and fell asleep while her four precious babies were nursing.   Her breathing slowed and she rested peacefully.  The vet told us she was done.  That wasn't quite the case.  About four hours later, after Molly had gone out to the restroom she returned only to start panting again.  One last stillborn pup arrived almost immediately.

The vet didn't have a good explanation for the events.  The sacks on the last three pups slipped - but why?  Her labor was not too intense.  I just don't get it.

Molly will be spayed very soon.  This was her last litter.  She is a wonderful mum, so tender and caring for her babies, but this is not going to happen again. 

I'll post some pics of the babies when I get a chance.  They are beautiful. 

Beautiful!

Thanks so much for sharing.

Those big blue eyes! 

OMG - how could anyone NOT fall in love immediately? 

I printed out everything Red said - and some stuff from others, too.  Today will be a busy day - I will be purchasing numerous items for the birth and before.

I'm going to pick up a digital thermometer as suggested, although I did try a regular one last night - and Molly and I both surviived it - and her temp was 101.7 so she won't have them today, I'm assuming. 

She's due (according to the owner of the sire) on Tuesday, my daughter will be here Monday, but I feel as though I could assist this time - looking forward to it, actually. 

But if Molly goes a day early - I'm going to be prepared. 

I've always loved Molly - but until now - I never dealt with the 'ick' factor.  Now I see I was missing out - not escaping. 

The thread that deals with the birth of pups, the Doberman/Pitbull thread, should be required reading for every dog owner.  It is so instructive and it warms the heart.

One more question for anyone who knows:

I saw the posts about a 'whelping box' that had straight sides and a bar running around the inside perimeter.  Does anyone have plans - or at the least, dimensions for a box like that?  I'm going to impose on a carpenter friend.  I will definetly post pictures. 

For the first time - I feel excited instead of totally lost. 

I'll keep everyone updated.

Thanks for all the good wishes - we're going to need each and every one.

Thank you, Red.  I am reading through the thread now - on pg 6, and I'm reading each and every post.  Already I am picking up things. 

I wanted to come back and thank you - and I will come back and keep everyone updated, too.

Molly belongs to me and my daughter - but before now - I just provided the financial support and tickles, baths, feeding,  poo scooping, etc.  My daughter has bred before (Saints) and I do my solemn duty loving every baby.   Not a pup leaves this home that isn't well adjusted and adorable.

She was supposed to be here.  She wanted to be.  But she is youth leader for a teen group that was cleared to go to South America on an assignment last month.  The team had trained for over a year, and they were supposed to go in May - but it got pushed back.  She will be back on the 3rd - Molly is due on the 4th, but I worry she will be early.  No special reason - I'm just worrrying.

I promised to care for Molly, and all the other animals.  She has a lot.    And I'm really trying, but I'm so scared for her - and me.

I'm going back now to read all 27 pages. 

I will do this if it kills me.  Molly is the best - and I'm not kidding.  I felt her tummy after reading about how to do it - and I think I might feel 5 babies.  But I'm not sure. 

Thanks again.  This means so much to me - and to Molly.

Molly is almost five years old.  The first litter was when she was barely two - and a dog jumped the fence and raped her.  The second was last spring.  But there have been no cycles between her last birth and this breeding.  We decided this was it - the last time when we took her to be bred and it traumatized her so badly.  She was just petrified and it isn't worth it. 

I didn't assist at the last birth - but my daughter was worried and now, if Molly goes even one day early - I'm scared.

I bought her one of those big round hard plastic child's swimming pools for a whelping box.  And I have a private place that is nice and quiet.  And I bought a bunch of old towels from yard sales.  But, I'm not good at this.  My daughter asked me on the phone if she was swollen 'down there'.  I didn't know since I never looked before and didn't know what to compare it to.  But she did dig a hole and I heard that might be a sign of nesting. 

I am really nervous here.  I hate to ask this question -but how do I take her temperature? 

Darnit, I wish I had known about raspberry leaves earlier. 

Low blood sugar - I never considered that.  Can they eat food when they are in labor?  Maybe I could give her some sugar to lick off my hand? 

One time she had a seizure - but I don't think it was related.  She had knocked the neighbor's bread machine onto the floor when she was barely a year old and ate the entire batch of yeast dough.  The vet said that probably caused it. 

Maybe I should still try raspberry leaves even at this late date. 

Thanks for all the comments.  It means a lot to me and Molly.  She lays on her back, feet in the air with her big tummy bared and I can see little wiggles here and there. 

I'm taking her on short walks now and slower ones, hoping to keep her muscles in shape.

Could it be a hormonal thing?

We have two adult female Saints, one neutered and one not who tend to start showing signs of aggression towards eachother during certain cyles of the latter.

Usually we have some forewarning - because they will stand very tall beside eachother - like they are facing-off or something.  So we call them down immediately.  Most of the time - they are best friends - but about a year ago - they were playing and running - and a fight broke out.  I was horrified, after knowing eachother for 3 years they were fighting!  By the time we could get them separated - and it took four of us to do so - we had some blood and owies. 

It hasn't happened again, and I pray it never does.  Now I am cautious.  After this litter - due in about three weeks, we are going to neuter the other female. Our vet said that would go a long ways towards permanent peace.

Good luck with your situation. 

Oh THANK YOU!!!

Wonderful answers, and I feel encouraged now just by reading them.  All of them are much easier (and kinder) than trying to step on her paws. 

You guys are absolute lifesavers!

Katie and I are going to have a training session right after this and I'll let everyone know if we make some progress.

She doesn't like to be ignored - or talked to in a growly voice so I can see some sense in these techniques.

And the body language thing is just fascinating.  I never dreamt someone could teach deaf dogs that way. 

It would be super if you share more body language techniques if you ever get a chance.

Thanks a million guys.   

I love my Katie's big, clumsy paws.  But, at 4 months, when she decides it's time to paw you - which she does often as a subsitute for licking or biting - it can get painful.

She was sitting nicely, but barely containing her happiness at the prospect of a walk.  I was bending over her from behind her - trying to hook the leash to her collar when she decided to 'paw' at me with excited anticipation.  Her sweet, no longer little, paw grazed my face, and her too-long toenail caught my nose, just inside the nostril, and ripped it - just a tiny bit - but enough to make me squeal. 

Now - I look like Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Yikes! 

I don't have the foggiest idea how to start training Katie to keep her paws to herself.  She is quite energetic - much moreso than our other Saints have been - and she's very affectionate.  At more than 40 lbs - she still thinks she is a baby and I'll sit cross-legged on the floor when she's been very good so she can still try to sit on my lap.  It's her favorite thing to do.  But 'cuddle time' is getting harder - as she tries to contain and curl all her growing body on my lap.  I swear she thinks she is a toy poodle.

She is sooooooo loving - but the pawing must end.  I look a fright.

I was told to step on her paws when she does it.  I tried that - but with little luck because she is almost-constantly moving when I'm near and I just wasn't quick enough to trap a paw under my foot.  So my efforts had all the effect of making her think it was a new jumping game of some sort.  It excited her all the more.

I guess I was just lucky with our other Saints - they almost trained themselves.  <sigh>  But not dear, sweet Katie.  She has such a zest for life - and then some.

I would love to hear how any other members have dealt with this issue.