C-Section vs Natural Whelping

• C-section and natural birth pros and cons
• Mixing c-sections and natural birth

C-section and natural birth pros and cons

Q: We have 2 female blue merle french bulldogs. We plan on breeding them when they have their third cycle. We have read about c-section or natural whelping, not sure which way to go. Any advice would be appreciated.

A: Well before breeding your girls, you need to carefully consider who you will breed them to, making sure that both dogs have appropriate genetic testing, including color. It is important to be very careful of the genetics of a planned merle breeding. The merle gene does not normally occur in French Bulldogs, and it is known to cause a number of health problems, mostly deafness and blindness. It can also cause sun sensitivity and higher rates of skin cancer. These problems are more common in homozygous merles, so knowing the genetics of your breeding dogs before they are bred is important as I know you want to produce healthy puppies. Most French Bulldogs require c-sections, incubators, and carefully monitored nursing for the first few weeks. Work with your mentor to ensure you have all the needed equipment to successfully raise your Frenchie litters.

Mixing c-sections and natural birth

Q: Can a breeding bitch have a natural birth following a c-section, or is it best to only have c-sections once a c-section has been performed? Our repo vet has said one of our girls is young and healthy and fine to have another c-section and/or natural birth, but we are still a bit shell-shocked following her emergency c-section (we've never had to have one before). We are told she is healthy and capable, but absolutely want to do what is best for her. One additional question - if we do breed her again and she has to have another c-section, should that be her final litter and/or I guess the question is how many litters are "safe" to have by c-section for a golden retriever? I'd prefer none, but now that door has been opened... appreciate any insights you may have!

A: The rule of thumb I use is that you can have a vaginal birth after ONE c-section, but after two c-sections there are no more vaginal birth options. I feel that this is an excellent rule to follow as there are often extenuating circumstances such as a stuck puppy, or an over-large puppy or even two puppies trying to come out at the same time that “gum up the works,” and require a c-section. But none of these are uterine inertia or something else that would make you go immediately to a c-section the next time.

The number of c-sections you have should be a decision made between you and your veterinarian based on the health and recovery of your bitch. Discuss the uterus condition with the vet who did the section and inquire about the location of the scar on the uterine horns themselves. The location of the scar that you can see on the skin is not important but the location of the scar on the uterine tissue is the important one.  The only one who can assess that and discuss it with you is the vet who did the previous section. The location of the scar and general condition of the uterus are the determining factors as to the statistical risk of uterine rupture, which is the risk with future pregnancies. The only person who can help you assess and consider that decision is the vet who has seen and touched the uterine horns. At the time of your first section, you should ask your vet to give you a written description of the uterine horns and location of the incision(s) in case you move, or the vet moves before the next breeding. Don't go by your memory of a conversation because our memories at the time of a section are not very reliable and too much depends on the correct pieces of information.