An experienced bitch will do everything herself, but if you do have to cut the cord use a pair of BLUNTscissors. I prefer to put one of these plastic clips on when they are born then leave them till all are there and sometimes the cord just breaks itself, and many times the bitch chews them. So I don't often have to cut the cords.
The towels are mainly so that it is easy to get rid of the mess, but not all bitches are messy. The newspaper is so she has something to scrabble around in so put it in her bed, and change it if it gets messy. You need to cut up a towel into small pieces in case you need to hold a puppy as it is coming out, they are very slippery, and sometimes the contractions can pull the pup back in so don't pull them out, but you can hold them till the next push. Google whelping and you'll find out all you need to know.
Have a cardboard box nearby that she can see into with a hot water bottle under a thick towel, put the pups in there when you see another one coming so she doesn't inadvertently sit or stand on them. It's just common sense to get them out of the way for a bit, then put them back in and onto the teats to suckle as soon as she has cleaned the new one up - that will help the next one along. When she is apparently finished check her tummy for any blobs still in there, and if she looks at all unwell call your vet as it may be a placenta or pup that hasn't been expelled.
Now, stop worrying!
