long gestation and xray

Question
Hello.  I am going to try to be detailed, but short.  I consider myself educated in breeding and whelping but what I am experiencing is a new scenario and there is not much information available.  Two weeks ago my GSD had a stillborn, she recovered quickly and we waited for the "real" whelping.  This pup appeared to be of a good size, but the vet says that swelling does take place.  I patiently waited, watching for all the normal labor signs.  A couple days after stillbirth she stopped having discharge, then a few more days and a clear discharge started as well as milk let down.  She showed the normal signs that labor was coming in the near future.  I took her to the vet today to get our first xray because she appeared to be having a long gestation.  I did not get her ovulation date as we use our own stud and breed naturally, but controlled.  So, after much research and rereading my text I felt comfortable waiting the extended time because I knew that if she could ovulate and not actually become pregnant for another week or more.  Anyway, I am sure you know all this so I wont waste your time on that.  The vet said their are no puppies in the xray.  I looked at the xrays myself and have copies as well.  She said that she has a lot of stool, which I can see.  But I guess you know a part of me wonders if there IS something in there that is hiding.  Over the time I have felt puppy movement.  I started doubting actually feeling movement just because I spent so much time by her side over the last few weeks and you know you just start doubting.  So, a dear friend of mine also felt.  And she also felt puppy movement.  There is usually distinctive differences between gas and puppy movement,usually.  She held her last litter of ten pretty high in her ribs and it was hard to even tell she was pregnant.  I am okay with the outcome that she does not have any pups in there if that is what is really going on.  I figure it all happens for a reason, so I truly am good with it all.  Just like everyone else, I just want to know the chances or even have a heads up so I am still expecting that possibility.  Time will tell, but it would be nice to know with your experience if you have ever heard of this type of scenario.  I was looking at xray photos online of pregnant dogs and one thing I was noticing different was that along the bottom of her belly near her nipples there are small masses which the vet said was milk.  But I don't see this in any of the xrays I have looked at online.  Could this be dead puppies that are being absorbed or something?  I am really anxious and curious to know what you think.  Thanks so much!  God Bless!!

Answer
Traci, in future you could save yourself a lot of grief by breeding the eleventh and the thirteenth days only from the first day in heat.
Since the gestation period is only  63 days on average, compared to a human which is 9 months, every day over or before is equal to 2 to 3 weeks of a human gestation.  That gives you the urgency feeling that I want to give you.  If a human baby were over due 3 weeks it would be birthed with a c section...
So,  Your dog should have gone in for a c-section after the first pup was born and nothing else happened.  SPECIALLY with a dark discharge.  I have no doubt you have dead pups in there now.  What happens if you breed extremely  which means that you let the dogs breed naturally whenever they want, you are going to have some pups that could be as much as a week younger than the others, so what happens is, part of the littler is ready and part is not.   
I have seen this happen many times.  The lungs are not developed on some and others are in there too long and die in the birth canal.
Also, you obviously do not have a vet that knows much about breeding or he would have already operated on your dog.  I get so frustrated at vets who don't know what they are doing.  He should have given your dog a c-section right away.   When she didn't continue birthing within 24 hours of the first pup, she was in trouble.  A dog should not be in labor anymore than 24 hours without going in and taking the pups out.
If you have anyone who can give your dog an ultrasound, do that.  Having dead pups in her could be a real problem.  She could get peritonitis and you could lose her.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news.  Your instincts are good.  You didn't say how many days she was along, but I am assuming at this point, she is way overdue.  I hope they don't have to spay her.  Try to find a vet that either breeds his own dogs or who is a specialist in that area.  Or take matters into your own hands and insist on a c-section when you know your dog should have one.  She still needs something done, you need to find a vet who is knowledgeable.
Good luck on this,  I am so sorry for you that this happened.
nancy