Gestation refers to the actual time period in which a bitch, a female dog, is pregnant. Just like in humans, all pregnancies vary a little, with the average gestation period lasting 9 weeks, or 63 days.

Whether you want your dog to have puppies, or it happens because she got loose; there are certain things one needs to know to ensure that the pregnancy is a happy and healthy one for your "best friend."

If planning the pregnancy is right for you, you need to understand what takes place before a pregnancy can actually happen.

The Estrous Cycle ("In Heat")

A bitch goes through these cycles twice a year, with each lasting about 6 months. The average dog will go into each cycle once in the spring and once in the fall. But with everything, there are exceptions, some dogs will have 3 cycles and some will have 1. Each 6 month period is broken up into 4 periods.

Pro-Estrous

This is the time at the beginning of the "heat" cycles when the dog will start to go in "heat." Lasting approximately 7 days, the bitch will show signs of bleeding and swelling from the vaginal area. She will not mate during this time, but a male dog will show interest in her at this time.

Estrous

During this time period, which also last on average 7 days, your bitch will be able to breed. Bleeding will still occur, but should slow down at this point. The male dog will "court" her a little. This is simply done by "sniffing" the vulva.

Diestrous

This period again, lasts on average of 7 days. Your dog will not want to breed at this point either; she is coming out of "heat." If your bitch has had the opportunity to mate, she may exhibit signs that she has become pregnant, even if she has not.

Anestrous

This is the period that lasts until the next time that your bitch will start to go into heat. She will not mate or exhibit any of the above signs of going into or being in "heat."

Once this has all taken place your bitch may or may not be pregnant. Where there is no blood test that is conclusive as to whether or not your bitch has become pregnant, the most reliable methods for "testing" are to simply have your veterinarian feel the abdomen, which can take place as early as 26 days after conception. Another method is to have an x-ray performed; this can take place as early as 45 days after conception. An x-ray is about 95% accurate in determining the number of puppies in the litter.

Physical Changes

Like humans, your dog will exhibit common physical changes such as weight gain, and of course the larger the litter the greater the weight gain. She will begin to really "look" pregnant about 3 weeks before delivery and her mammary glands will begin to swell between 35 and 45 days after conception. She will begin to produce milk as early as 9 days before delivery, but more commonly the few days prior to actual delivery.

Behavioral Changes

The "nesting" instinct comes into play. As the day grows near, she will begin to become restless and start preparing her "nest." This may include gathering blankets in a safe or secluded area, shredding paper or blankets, and stealing anything that she can find that will make the area comfortable.

Nutrition and Food

During pregnancy, your dog will need good nutrition, not just for herself, but her the puppies, too. You can continue to give her the regular dog food, but you will want to supplement with small amounts of food that are high in protein, such as eggs. If you are uncomfortable with giving your dog any type "table" foods, you can go to your local pet supply store and purchase supplements that can be included with her regular food. There is also dog food available that has everything you need in it for this time frame. But if you choose to switch her food, make sure that it is done slowly, mixing it with her current food.

During the last 5 weeks, her needs will almost double. Make sure that her water bowl is always full with fresh water and that you increase her food so that she can eat when necessary.

Exercise

Don't allow your bitch to exert herself, take small walks when possible. Don't allow her to become lazy either. She will need to keep her energy up a little for the upcoming days.

Help her Prepare

Don't leave everything to the last minute for her. Even though when delivery is coming near she will take forth all effort to make sure everything is proper, give her the tools that she needs to she can rest easily.

Find a box large enough for her to lie in and cut the sides down so that they are no larger than 8 inches high to allow her to gain access in and out and allowing for the puppies to remain in the box. If you have any old blankets that you have kept around for no reason, or anything that you could care less whether ruined or not, place them in the box. If need be, she will shred them.

Find a location that is comfortable. It should be an area where she has always been allowed but is away from everyone and everywhere else. She should always have access to the rest of the house.

Making sure that you do this at least a week prior to expected delivery, this will allow her ample to time to become accustomed to the area and allow her to prepare when she feels necessary.

Labor and Delivery

During this time period you should never leave her alone; don't run to the store real quick or go outside. Just make sure that you are in the same general area as her at all times.

Labor and delivery itself is broken up into three stages.

Stage 1

This is where her nesting instinct will really come into play. She will be very restless. Once you see this extreme restlessness you will know that labor is near. Give her space and don't force her to eat or drink, as she may not want to. Allow her to go out often, she may need to urinate or defecate; but don't allow her to go off on her own. If labor proceeds faster than normal, she may pass a puppy in the process.

Stage 2

This is when the actual labor begins. She will begin to have contractions and deliver her puppies. Always have clean towels available in case you need to assist.

Before each puppy is born there is a greenish sac that will usually come out first, then the puppy, followed by the placenta. Don't get worried if a puppy appears to be coming out wrong. This is sometimes normal and is usually fine.

If however, the puppy appears to be stuck and is just not passing, you may need to assist. Just grab a clean towel and gently pull the puppy out, in a downward motion. If for some reason, you cannot extract the puppy, the veterinarian should be called immediately. They may be able to give you advice in further assisting.

After the puppy has been born, she will break the sac and begin to clean him. If time has passed and she has not done this, you may need to perform this task for her.

If you do need to help with this, gently remove the sac from around the puppy and remove the mucus from around the puppy's nose and mouth and then with a clean towel, rub the puppy with a clean towel to stimulate it to breath. Once the puppy has started to squirm and yelp, place the puppy next to the mother, but not in her face, and your job is done.

Stage 3

This is a period of rest that will follow the birth of each puppy. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours. Let her rest; don't force her to do anything.

If she exhibits signs that she needs to go outside to use the bathroom, let her. But keep a close eye and a close distance. She could deliver while going to the bathroom.

Stages and 2 and 3 will be repeated until all puppies are born.

After delivery has taken place allow the mother to become accustomed to doing her job. Don't allow anyone to interfere and keep noise and commotion to a minimum. Too much of this can cause her to become irritated and distracted, making it difficult for the puppies to feed. Always make sure that any bedding that is in with her and the puppies is clean, changing frequently.

If at any time during, or after the delivery, you notice something that just doesn't look right, or smell right, call the veterinarian right away.

Make sure that the mother's bowls are always full with fresh water and food. Her intake will be extreme at this point and she needs the nutrition to compensate for feeding the puppies.

If at any time you notice the mother getting angry or upset that someone is touching her or the puppies, immediately place them back down next to her. This feeling of over-protectiveness will pass as time goes on.

Now that everything is said and done, you will soon be able to enjoy those precious little puppies. They will begin to wander when they can, but always make sure that they make their way back to their box and don't get lost in the house.