How to Help a Labrador Have Her Puppies

Prepare a nest two weeks before the birth. The average pregnancy for dogs is 56 to 69 days, with larger breeds having longer gestation periods. The average weight for a female Labrador is 55 pounds to 70 pounds. This is a medium-size breed with a gestation in the middle at about 63 days. The nest should be a large cardboard box lined with newspapers, old blankets or towels. Nesting items will need to be changed and thrown away after the birth.

Encourage the dog to sleep in the box several days before birth so she is familiar with it. Keep food and water nearby. The nesting box should be located in a quiet, warm area, like next to a radiator. Although Labradors are loving family dogs, children and other pets should be kept away from the nesting area.

Look for signs of early labor. The dog may pant or seem restless during this stage. This stage may go unnoticed. If you do notice, gather supplies, like the emergency vet number, an extra basket in case there are too many puppies for the nesting box, clean cloths, scissors and a suction bulb. You may want to get a watch and start noting the time.

Watch for signs of the second stage of labor. This is when the dog is ready to deliver. Hopefully, she chooses to do this in the nesting box you provided. At this stage, you should be able to observe changes in the vulva. Fluid will be released before a puppy comes out. Depending on how many puppies your dog has, this stage can last for a few minutes or up to 24 hours. Labrador retrievers have an average of five to 10 puppies per litter. If your Labrador seems to be straining in heavy labor for more than an hour without a birth, call the vet.

Observe the delivery of the placenta after a puppy is born. You may want to note this on paper to keep track. Dogs have separate placentas for each puppy and a placenta left inside the uterus is dangerous to the bitch. Some dogs eat the placentas, so watch carefully before it disappears.

Watch the puppies. The bitch should clean the sac, lick the puppy clean and push it toward a nipple. If the labor is intense and she has puppies coming continuously, you may need to help out. Clean the puppy with a clean washcloth. Remove the membrane with a clean, dry cloth and rub the puppy dry. Suction the nostrils if necessary. A cry is a good sign the puppy is getting oxygen.

Cut the cord, if needed. Each puppy is attached to a placenta with an umbilical cord. If the mother does not chew through this cord, you may have to cut it with a clean pair of scissors. Tie a thread near where the cord attaches to the puppy and another further up the cord. Cut between the threads with a scissors.

Call the vet immediately if you notice a foul black discharge from the mother, bright red blood lasting more than 10 minutes, a fever more than 103 degrees Fahrenheit or excessive straining during birth.