In labor?

[originalcopy]

I think my girl could be in labor. She is digging around down there a lot and seems to be chewing/eating something. Could she be eating the babies as they are coming out? I'm nervous, yet excited. I'm trying to give her as much peace as possible. Any thoughts or guidance would be much appreciated! :)

[lil22]

Is she a first time mom? I would say leave the room for a few hours...honestly...because she may be eating the babies and she's less likely to do that if she's all alone. I would leave her alone for at least a few hours....and even after that, don't try to peak in for another few days if you hear squeaking babies.

[originalcopy]

She is not a first time mom. I'm trying to give her reasonable periods of alone time, but I'm afraid she'll have complications.

[lil22]

oh ok. how did her other litter(s) go? Were they canibalized? If not, I wouldn't think she'd cannibalize this litter.

[Nancy]

I'd just leave her alone and listen from afar. I use a nursery monitor and have it beside the new moms cage. As long as I can hear her moving I know she is alright. I'm like you that I want to make sure mom isn't in trouble. I would rather have dead babies than a dead mom. I find the nursery monitor helps me worry less. :)

[lil22]

now that is a fabulous idea! I think I'll keep that baby monitor in mind.

[originalcopy]

Maybe I'm just paranoid. She is up and about right now. What could she have been doing? She hasn't lost any weight, but her stomach seems surprisingly flatter and soft. Do the babies move down before they are going to be born?

[illinidairychic]

Did you take her out and weigh her or are you just guessing that she hasn't lost any weight? I usually don't weigh my mom's until the litter is about two weeks old and she's comfortable leaving them long enough for me to weigh her. I would say leave her be for now, head to bed and check for squeaks in the morning.

[Hedgiepets]

A baby monitor is a great thing to have. I use use one. You can hear everything going on. You can give mom her space, but if she is in distress she will be crying and you will hear her. Or you can hear the squeaks of the newborns. (my favorite sound)

[originalcopy]

I agree! A great idea, indeed.
Still no babies. I wonder if she intentionally is trying to freak me out. ;) She was begging to be taken out last night, so I let her run around in my lap. Her weight is still the same.

Any input in this thread would be much appreciated.
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?p=719957