Question about puppies dying shortly after birth?

i have a female dog that gave birth to 7 puppies in which 3 of them died with in an hour after being born. 3 days before she had them she squeezed her way out of her pen in a little hole she had dug. could the puppies have been positioned just right and she hurt them somehow when she got out. they woulds not suck and acted like they were gasping for air with a little rattle sound.she had them late last night and the vet is not open today to call and ask about that. we didn't call them last night or take her to the vet because we knew the puppies would not make it anyway