Normal Labour What Should Happen & When You Need A Vet
A normal labour should be very short and sweet with little or no blood (excluding blood
from the placentas being eaten). Sows should start
labour and deliver all the babies within about an hour (my pigs have delivered all babies in about 1/2 hour but the litters have been 5 or less babies)

A sow in labour will sit very squarely and make a hiccup type movement (the contraction), then look under her, as if she is getting a "poop" to eat.
She should tear the sac with her teeth over the babies mouth as soon as the head appears, she will then pull the baby out on the next contraction. She should eat the sac and lick the baby clean. A very heavily pregnant sow may not be able to properly reach under herself to open the sac and pull the baby out. If you happen upon her in labour,
help her get the babies from under her and clean them up. Otherwise they can suffocate in the amniotic sac.

It is usually best if there is about 10 minutes between babies but that is not always the case. If she is not attending to the newest baby reach in the cage and open the sac over the face so it can breathe, you can then put the baby back next to her or clean it yourself. I personally clean the baby myself. If a baby isn't responding the way the mother likes she may nip the ears or toes to get it to breath. It isn't uncommon for an overzealous mom to actually chew toes off or ears.

Very important!!!!!!!!!!:

DO NOT PULL ON ANYTHING SHE IS DELIVERING!
It could be a prolapsed uterus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
See above picture

SIGNS A VET IS NEEDED:

~ If she squeals loudly and repeatedly during labour (most sows are quiet when in labour)while not producing a baby
~ Straining for more than 10 minutes without delivering a baby
~ Excessive bleeding (more than a TBSP, or dripping blood like a faucet) shavings with blood on them (where she delivered) are normal, as is light spotting for a day or so after delivery
~ Listlessness
~ Lumps in her abdomen after labour has stopped (babies feel about the size of a walnut or
bigger)
~ Not eating or drinking and/or smells like nailpolish remover or has sweet breath anywhere
from 2 weeks before to two weeks after delivery
~ Hunched appearance
~ Ruffled hair
~ Dull or sunken eyes
~ Anything that doesn't deliver completely and hangs out of her vent. Leave it alone
and rush her to a vet.
~ A cold belly before delivery.
~ Reluctance to move when you put your hand in her cage.

Any other gut feeling that there is something wrong with her!

The sow usually picks a spot in the cage that she is most comfortable in and will always
rest here for the last part of her pregnancy. This is where she will likely have her family.

It is very normal and common for the sow to eat all the placentas so don't be concerned
if you don't see them, unless she is not bright eyed, moving about and eating and drinking.


Sows will normally be eating and drinking and moving about the cage right after the
delivery.

Pregnancy Complications and Symptoms
Hypocalcimia is when the sows body uses all the calcium in her diet to help form the babies and may even begin to take calcium from her bones.
Symptoms may include shaking, paralysis, and occasionally drooling. Seek vet treatment quickly as when symptoms are apparent she is already in the last stages of hypocalcimia.

Pregnancy Toxemia is a metobolic disorder most likely caused by poor or badly balanced diet. The sows body starts to metabolize fat to get energy, the fat is not broken down completely leaving toxins in the blood stream. This makes the sow feel sick so she doesn't eat causing her body to have to metabolize yet more fat. It is a vicious circle and it is easier to prevent it than to cure it.
Exercise and a well balanced diet are key to preventing toxemia. Not eating, drinking and not moving are some signs of a "toxic" sow. She may also smell sweet or smell like nail polish remover (acetone). This too requires immediate medical treatment from a vet.

Dystocia is any difficult birth. Straining repeatedly without producing a baby, squealing loudly on every contraction or lying on her side are signs of her having a difficult birth. This requires a vet's assistance.