The Ultimate Labor Prep Guide for Dog Moms

Dog Meets Baby (Blog) is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

‍

Let's be real, that last stretch of pregnancy can be tough – it can feel like it’s never going to end. You're tired, uncomfortable, and so ready to meet your little one. Every day feels endless, and you're probably wondering if this baby will ever decide to make their grand entrance.

While your baby will arrive exactly when they're ready (I know, I know – not what you want to hear right now!), there are some things you can do to help encourage labor naturally. Liesel from Mommy Labor Nurse has shared her expert tips on this later in the post. But first, let's talk about something equally important that many expecting dog moms overlook: having a rock-solid plan for preparing your dog for when you’re in labor.

‍

How to Plan Dog Care During Labor and Delivery 

When you go into labor, your main focus should be on yourself and your baby. To ensure you can do this, it is essential to have a solid plan in place for your dog. 

‍

Here’s what you need to decide ahead of time:

• Who will take care of your dog?
• When will the caregiver take over?
• Where will your dog stay?

‍

Since labor is almost always unpredictable, it's smart to have a Plan A, B, C, and maybe even D!

Some dogs thrive at doggy daycare or boarding with a person they love. But if your dog is sensitive or anxious, having a trusted caregiver come to your house might be the better choice. You know your dog best.

‍

Expert Tips

• Arrange your dog's care well in advance and have AT LEAST two backup plans. A baby’s arrival is often unpredictable and can happen in the middle of the night. 
• Plan for at least 2-3 days away. You and your partner will likely be at the hospital for 2+ days, and you don’t want your dog stuck at home alone and stressed.
• For a home birth, check what's legal in your state and country. Your dog should not be in the same room with you during labor. The process can be confusing and conflicting for dogs. It's best to have one person assigned to care for your dog, allowing you to focus. The First Meeting Course has a whole module on Home Birth. You can read more about Home Birth and dogs in this blog post. 

‍

Is it okay to keep your dog boarded after baby comes home?

A frequently asked question! The answer is yes, it is generally fine to do so. If you have a good boarding situation where your dog is comfortable and happy, this can be a great option. This extra time helps you and your baby settle into a new routine, often making the first meeting much easier.

‍

Pack and Prepare Like a Pro

If your dog is staying at your house: Pack their food, special chews, medications, and detailed instructions for their caregiver. Make it foolproof.

If your dog is staying elsewhere: Create a "doggy hospital bag" with food, chews, toys, their favorite blanket, comfort items, medications, collar, harness, and leash.

‍

Cover the essentials with your caregiver:

• Your emergency contact info
• Veterinarian contact information
• Feeding and medication schedules
• House keys, entry codes, or a lockbox

‍

Managing Your Dog During Early Labor at Home 

Depending on your hospital's policies, you might spend several hours laboring at home first.  Check ahead of time and add it to the plan.

‍

If your water breaks at home, the smell of the amniotic fluid will be the first scent your dog associates with your baby. It’s good to have a plan for this stage to ensure your dog’s first association with the baby's scent is positive. Have food-filled puzzle toys and chews ready. See our favorite puzzle toys HERE.

‍

Your behavior and smell will be different. Contractions will change how you breathe and move. Some dogs won't mind, and you might even find their presence comforting. However, if your dog is very sensitive, arrange for the caretaker to take over sooner. Have food-dispensing toys ready, or put your dog in a different room that they’re comfortable in.

‍

‍

My Story: Unexpected Labor and a Solid Plan

My plan was to board Lola with her dog walker while we were in the hospital. She had stayed with her many times and adored her. This gave me incredible peace of mind when my scheduled C-section was moved up four days due to preeclampsia. I found out Friday morning that I was having a C-section in just FOUR hours.

Talk about panic mode! But having our plan already in place saved the day. I gave Lola a special chew to keep her calm while we (frantically) got ready. Our son ended up spending five days in the NICU, and I was so grateful we didn't have to worry about Lola on top of everything else.

‍

Our Plan

• Plan A (daytime): Our dog walker came to get Lola as we were ready to leave for the hospital. Her bag was already packed and labeled, and the walker had our house keys.
• Plan B (nighttime): My husband’s father was on standby to come to our house and stay with Lola overnight until the dog walker could pick her up in the morning.
• Plan C: If I needed to stay in the hospital longer, the dog walker would keep Lola for as long as needed and get more food from our house. We had also packed extra just in case.
• ‍Plan D: If, for any reason, our primary dog walker wasn't available, we had two other dog walkers who knew Lola well, ready to step in. They also had spare keys to our house.

‍

‍

‍3 Ways to Naturally Induce Labor at Home (Because Waiting is Hard!)

I invited Liesel from Mommy Labor Nurse to chat about three popular methods.

‍

“Before trying any of these methods, please, please, please discuss them with your healthcare provider. They know your specific situation and can advise you on what's safe and appropriate for you and your baby. 

‍

1. The Power of Movement (and Gravity!)

One of the most natural ways to nudge labor along is through movement. Think about it – when you're active, your baby engages further in your pelvis, which can put pressure on your cervix and potentially stimulate contractions. Plus, gravity is on your side!

• Squats and Lunges: These exercises can help open your pelvis and create more space for the baby to move down. Listen to your body and avoid anything that feels uncomfortable. You can hold onto a chair or wall for support if needed!
• Curb Walking: Curb walking is when you walk with one foot up on the curb and the other on the road or sidewalk, it forces you to have an uneven gait and a larger shift in your body weight with each step, as your body weight and baby moves side to side it can help open up a little more space in your pelvis to create room for baby to turn slightly and move down onto your cervix! ⁣⁠
• Miles Circuit: This one is all about getting the baby into an optimal position for labor, and it’s one of my favorites. It’s a 3-step sequence used to get the baby into a left occiput anterior (LOA) position, which is most ideal for labor. To learn more about the Miles Circuit and how to complete it, I encourage you to read my article below!

The Miles Circuit: My Success with These Stretches to Induce Labor

‍

2. Nipple Stimulation (Hello, Oxytocin!)

Nipple stimulation releases oxytocin, the "love hormone" that also happens to be a key player in labor. Oxytocin helps to stimulate contractions. Nipple stimulation can be quite effective and therefore should not be used (for induction purposes) before 39 weeks. There are 3 “tools” that can be used during nipple stimulation: your partner, your breast pump, your hands. No matter which tool you choose, the steps are the same.

• Stimulate one breast at a time
• Limit stimulation to 5-minute intervals
• Wait 15 minutes between intervals
• Pause for contractions
• Stop nipple stimulation when contractions are 5 minutes apart and increasing in strength.

‍

3. Relaxation and Mindfulness (Because Stress Can Stall Labor!)

It might seem counterintuitive, but relaxation really is key! Stress can hinder labor progress. When you're stressed, your body releases hormones that can interfere with oxytocin production. So, make sure you're taking time to relax and de-stress.

• Warm Baths: A warm bath can be incredibly soothing and help you relax. Add some Epsom salts for extra muscle relaxation.
• Meditation and Mindfulness: Practicing meditation or mindfulness can help calm your mind and reduce stress. There are many guided meditations available online specifically for labor preparation.
• Rest: Don't underestimate the power of rest! Make sure you're getting enough sleep and taking naps when you need them. Your body needs energy for labor!

‍

‍

A Final Word of Encouragement from Dominika and Liesel 

Liesel: While these methods may help encourage labor to start naturally, it's important to remember that every baby is different. No matter what you try, labor will begin when your body is ready. Try to be patient, mama, and trust the process. Your body knows what to do. And again, always discuss any methods for inducing labor with your OB provider before trying them

Dominika: Have a solid plan for your dog, so you don’t feel stressed about your furbaby. As Liesel stated, stress can stall labor! 

‍

‍

‍

Resources to help you feel fully prepared:

The First Meeting Course - How to safely introduce your dog to your baby the right way. 

The Preparation Course - How to best prepare and train your dog for the arrival of your baby. 

‍

Available as a Bundle (Save $20) 

‍

See what parents have to say about our courses HERE.

‍

‍

‍

Mommy Labor Nurse offers three on-demand birth classes: the natural series, the epidural series, and the c-section series.

‍

Use code: DOGMEETSBABY for 10% off. 

‍

Dog Meets Baby and MLN are sending you alllllll the good labor vibes!

‍