dachshund in labor

Question
this is my dogs first litter and I see a grayish/clear sac protruding, is she suppose to chew open the sac or will it burst on it's own? She can't even reach herself to lick it or do anything? I don't know what I should do?

Answer
Hi Marysia.  When the time to give birth arrives the mother will show signs of contractions and possibly begin to shiver.   The puppy will pass from the vaginal opening inside a graayish/clear sac.  I'm assuming that this is what you are seeing.

After each puppy is delivered it will be proceeded by a greenish, fluid-filled sac (placenta). Each puppy is attached to a placenta by an umbilical cord. In larger litters, you may not see one placenta passed immediately after every puppy. Some placentas may be retained and be expelled gradually days after all puppies are born. Most puppies are born head first, but as many as one-third may be born hindquarters first. Either position is considered normal.

In most cases, after each puppy is born, the afterbirth will soon follow. However sometimes - for whatever reason- not always.  It is not uncommon for two afterbirths to pass at the same time, what is important is that all the afterbirths eventually pass.
In some cases, unknown to us, the mother can and will pass the afterbirth outside, while using the restroom, making it had to be completely sure that each one has passed.

Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Penny Diloreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com