How long after my dog starts the first stage of labour should the second stage start?
The first stage of labor typically lasts 6 to 12 hours. At the end of stage I, the cervix is completely dilated. If your dog has not started whelping within 24 hours after beginning stage I labor, veterinary assistance is recommended. Stage II labor is defined as the part of labor when the puppy is delivered. Visible contractions begin. The abdomen tenses and the ***** begins straining. This action will appear similar to the ***** trying to have a bowel movement. After delivery of a puppy, the ***** may enter stage III labor. This is the time when the placenta, after birth, is delivered and usually occurs 5 to 15 minutes after delivery of the puppy. If multiple puppies are born rapidly, several placentas may be expelled together. After the passage of the placenta, the ***** will return to stage II labor. She may continue the resting phase or begin contracting. Throughout whelping, the ***** will fluctuate between stage II and stage III labor until all the puppies are born. It is very i
