Rikka's Pregnancy
Before Mating
Rikka has come into heat on the 9th November. She will be having a natural mating to Lucky so wont require extensive progesterone testing as we have Lucky with us for his little holiday.
For a natural mating we are looking for a Prog Test number around 12, each dog is a little different, we are looking for what is called the LH surge, where the numbers will rapidly rise indicated Ovulation is soon.
9th November 2021: First Day of Heat
20th November, Day 11: Prog Test 5.9
22th November, Day 13: Successful Mating!
Expected due date is the 24th January, 2022
Week 0
Baseline Measurements
Weight:13kg
Waist: 40cm
Week 1
Week 1 Measurements
Weight:13kg
Waist: 40cm
No physical changes yet, but noticing Rikka is more affectionate and clingy the last couple days
Week 2
Week 2 Measurements
Weight:13kg
Waist: 40.5cm
Rikka has been more affectionate and moody this week, her appetite has increased and her nipples are pink and enlarged.
Week 3
Week 3 Measurements
Weight:13.1kg
Waist: 41.5cm
Rikka has been moody and uncomfortable this week, wanting to sit down all the time. Her nipples are very pink and swollen and she is seeking out cuddles and closeness with me.
Rikka had her Ultrasound at 23 days on the 15th December to confirm she is pregnant! Vet was able to count at least 6-7 puppies!
Week 4
Week 4 Measurements
Weight:13kg
Waist: 42cm
Her baby belly is now slowly becoming visible, after this point their uterus fills with fluid to protect the babies, so we will see rapid growth in belly size from now on!!
Rikka is really feeling it and has been very off her food so plenty of treats and hand feeding to keep her food intake up! She has rapidly settled down and will often be found sleeping in bed and no longer playing around with Nez causing mischief, a nice change I think haha!
Rikka is extremely affectionate and I woke up to her sleeping on top of me the other night I just love her extra cuddles!
Week 5
Week 5 Measurements
Weight:13.5kg
Waist: 47.5cm
Rikka has a very noticeable baby belly now, gaining over 5cm and half a kilo! Her appetite is back now so no more hand feeding, yay!
We are over halfway now!
Week 6
Week 6 Measurements
Weight:13.8kg
Waist: 48.5cm
Week 7
Week 7 Measurements
Weight:15kg
Waist: 53cm
Rikka's babies can be felt moving around and even seen kicking as well! She is wanting to sleep in her crate all day and is enjoying belly rubs
Rikka can't eat a whole lot at once now so we are having her graze over the day small bits of her daily meals.
Week 8
Week 8 Measurements
Weight:16.3kg
Waist: 61cm
Rikka is very close now, she is getting very big and uncomfortable, spending a lot of her time in the whelping box, but otherwise sleeping on my bed, her appetite has rapidly increased
Babies are kicking and moving around like crazy!
Week 9
Week 9 Measurements
Weight:16.7kg
Waist: ?
Rikka had a false temperature drop to 36.6c on day 56, but had the real drop on day 60 later afternoon to 36.7c, but uterine contractions started around midday from when I noticed so the drop wasn't the first sign anyway!
Contractions started to strengthen with shorter time between on day 61, from 20 mins, to 15 mins, 10 mins and then 7 mins before water broke at 11.58am and I stopped counting, first puppy born at 1:24pm, last born at 3:40pm, so a perfect quick labour!
She had 7 puppies, 2 boys and 5 girls, all beautiful brindles!