Difficult labor

One of my girls, Minka, went into labor yesterday morning sometime. She was spotting blood, but everything that I've read said that as long as it's not excessive then it's generally okay. Mom didn't seem to be in distress and even munched on some treats I gave her. Later in the evening she started having contractions and it was then that things started going wrong. She seemed to be pushing with great difficulty and was even squeaking/crying out from the effort and I assume pain (it absolutely broke my heart). I stayed with her the entire time. She finally got her first baby out and it was dead. She continued to have a total of 9 babies, 5 alive 4 dead. She did not remove the umbilical cord or eat the placentas, and did not seem very interested in the babies at all. The surviving babies seemed to be gasping for air from the get go. I didn't think they'd make it much longer without care, so (after cutting their umbilicals) I put them with my other female who had her litter yesterday in the hopes that she'd foster them. Unfortunately when I got up this morning all 5 babies were gone. Thankfully Minka seems to be doing fine.

Does anyone know what could have possibly happened? Ideally I would like to breed her again but I am super hesitant and do not want her to have to endure what she did this past time.

Poor widdle girl! That sounds terrible. I'd imagine that just like mice, this was just a difficult labor.
How old is she?
I am so glad she made it, it's your choice but you could breed her again after a six week rest period. <3 So sorry this happened!!!

Thanks Emma. I know, I felt so bad. She is going to get super spoiled from here on out. She is a little over a year. I know a lot of people frown on breeding "older" females but she was in excellent condition and I felt comfortable in doing so. The other female that just gave birth is the same age and she had hers by the book. I will wait 6 weeks and re-evaluate, but I've got a feeling I won't be trying again. It's very disappointing because she is mink and possibly merle (impossible to find in pet stores) and I would love to breed that color. Additionally she has an awesome temperament (especially for a female) and has never had a health issue. Oh well, maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

Oh geez I'm so sorry to hear about this. I'm glad she made it but what a nightmare to go through.

I'm sorry to hear this! I have a second litter on the way, too, now I'm a little nervous.

Thanks everyone. thewesterngate, from what I've read complications such as mine are rare. I have one more girl due within the next few days and I am biting my nails lol.

I'm sorry I can't help. I've never seen or heard of anything like this, although I'm sure it happens all the time when nobody is there when delivery takes place.