Answering Vicki....wellllllllll...their progesterone level HAS to drop to begin contractions, so you would expect a bitch in labor to have her progesterone drop. Actually, the level should be tested prior to a c-section too, super indicator if the timing is right.... Of course with a very small litter, you have to be careful because there may not be enough puppies for labor to start... Pit <too much, wrong time, etc.> can cause <too> intense contractions and the puppies behind the one being born can separate.... Not sure if the original question referred to a bitch in labor or pre-term. Kathy, member GSDCA, DVGSDC Celebrating generations of Dual Titled TC'd Champions visit _http://www.pinehillgsds.com/_ (http://www.pinehillgsds.com/) In a message dated 8/22/2011 1:57:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, VSabiaB@xxxxxxx writes: In a message dated 8/22/2011 12:01:39 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, JJogra@xxxxxxx writes: need some input. What has been your personal experience with premature placental separations? Have you had a significant number of stillborns? Did you find any pathology associated with the dam? Anatomical? Hormonal? Do you feel that is may represent a familial or hereditary component? Is this a diagnosis of exclusion? if not, how have you proven it? Please respond privately. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I also would like to hear the answers on this. I had this happen during labor and was told that the dam's progesterone level dropped???? thanks, ~Vicki Von Charisma German Shepherds www.voncharismags.com My sunshine does not come from the skies, It comes from the love in my dogs eyes. RESPONSIBLE BREEDER AND RESCUER, PROUD TO DO BOTH! ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================