When we whelped our first litter, we took many pictures to document our exciting event.  Vida was very patient with the camera.  We use Whelpwise when we have our litter which is a monitoring and mentoring program for whelping puppies.  About one week before the whelping date, we begin monitoring the mother with a bellyband that monitors the contractions in her uterus.  We also use a form of dopler that notes the puppies locations, number and heart rates.  We do this to ensure the best care for the mother and her puppies.  This service helps us know when the mother and puppies are doing well, when they are stressed, when to expect delivery of the puppies and when we are done with the labor and delivery.  It is much better to pay for this service than to guess what the mother and puppies need.  This service has helped over 20,000 litters to be delivered and has a high success rate of protecting the mother's and puppies' health during late pregnancy and delivery.  Not stressing the mother during pregnancy and delivery and giving her top quality nutrition while pregnant and nursing are the best ways to ensure that the puppies will both be physically healthy and mentally and behaviorally healthy after they are born.