Our old girl had 10 (7 live) and our other girls litter earlier this year had 8 (7 live) We have had 2 litters and both have gone to plan, both delivered on due days and both mums were excellent but i must add that for at least 2 weeks i was close by and spent 2 weeks sleeping next to whelping box.

You will need to increase food towards the end of pregnancy........dont worry you will be able to tell as our Lucy just wouldnt stop eating.
As for calming down she will do that herself, Ours stopped jumping from 7 weeks on her own acord but still ran round like a looney!!!!!