Back Home..

Just wanted to post a quick note to say that I am back home as of yesterday. Spent the majority of the week at Esther's to be a friend and also a co-whelping partner for her and her puppies that were due. The big day happened on Tuesday, she started having contractions at 2 am and by 8 am we were seeing small pushes. At 10 am she had her first puppy. For some reason her labour slowed and after a quick call to vet and a recommendation to administer oxytocin, she started pushing again and at 12 pm the 2nd puppy was born. Again, no pushes after puppy #2 and we tried the oxytocin again. At 2 pm we were able to see feet, an indication of a breech puppy and will much effort we were not able to advance the puppy any further. By 3pm we were at the vet and with the use of foreceps they were able to deliver a still born and (BIG) puppy. An xray determined 2 more puppies and given that mom had been in labour for so long, Esther opted for a c/section. By 4pm we had 2 more puppies. We arrived back home around 6 pm, exhausted and mom with 4 puppies in tow.
3 of the babies were doing really well and latching on but the last one born and the tiniest was needing some extra help. So Tuesday evening through the night and Wednesday she has plugged in to nurse every chance I/we got. By Wednesday evening she had a strong latch and by Thursday evening she was actively searching for the nipple and had finally gained a small bit of weight.
It worked out well as visitation and the funeral services were held on Wednesday and Thursday and I was able to be there for the babies as Esther was obviously not able to be. I was pleased and honoured to be able to help out in any way possible and even more pleased that by Friday all the babies were gaining and thriving.
I opted to come home on Friday as unfortunately life and namely work happens and i didn't want them to start giving me grief for taking any more time off.
Esther, my dear friend I wouldn't have be anywhere else in this absolute horrible time for you. Whatever you possibly need, I am just a phone call away.