Bull Terrier Due to Delivery Puppies in Jan. 2008

Question
We are new at this: I need advise on how to prepare, problems that might
occur, etc.  I've heard horror stories about Mom's eating thier puppies,
needing help delivering, soffocating babies, refusing to nurse...I'M
STRESSING! We thought we'd get one of those hard plastic kiddy pools to use
as a whelping box with sheets, towels, for bedding. Should we stay and watch
the birth? How will we know when to assist if necessary? What if Spooky tries
to harm her baby? Our vet told us it will all happen according to instinct. Not
a helpful answer!  THANK YOU!  I am reading previous answers on this site,
too. Thanks again.  Elaine and Brian, Worried Parents-to-Be

Answer
Hi Elaine and Brian

First thing you have to do is remember to breathe.   If you are nervous and stressed, that will worry your female.  You have to be calm and educated.  And sometimes there is no better education that hands on.

First, I'm not a fan of the plastic pools, although a lot of breeders use them.  You want to have the bumper pads or pig rails so that if a pup gets pushed up to the sides or underneath the dam, they can still breath.   For the actual whelp I like newspaper just because you are changing it constantly.  Once all the pups are born, towels and sheets work great.

If it calms your female to have you near it's always advisable to be on hand when the pups are being born.  Especially if it's her first litter.  She may "spook" and try and harm the first pup.  

When the pup is born you want to make sure the bag is completely off the face and that it's breathing.  You can gently squeeze the pup like an accordion to get fluids out of the lungs and nose.  

I have an incubator on hand, but any box (shoe, or Tupperware, even dresser draw) used as a warming box.  Put a heating pad on the bottom and a towel over top.  This is a safe place to put pups when the female is whelping, needs to go outside or needs to warm up.

As a side note, typically it is 2 hours between pups.  Any longer and start making her walk.  If she is straining and contracting with no result, try getting her up and changing positions. And finally keep vanilla ice cream on hand, it helps with labor and bringing the milk down.

The only time to be concerned is if your female is in obvious distress,  pushing or straining unsuccessfully.   If your female's mother had no complications, there is a good chance that your female will be fine.

Good luck.