Newbie with pregnant foster kitty!

I've been fostering cats and kittens for years but this is my first time with a pregnant one! She was pulled from a ferral colony but was also born into it and is pretty tame from all the human contact of the caregivers. She has been with me for a week now and her belly is getting bigger each day. She is very young, maybe 5-6 months old. I'm not sure how to post a picture of her. I was hoping someone may be able to advise how far along she is. She looks like a football right now! Everyone is telling me her belly will drop towards the floor before she goes into labor. Is this true with all cats? She just lost the hair around her nipples but I've been checking them daily and there is no sign of milk as of yet. Will she get milk before she goes into labor for certain? She is awake and pacing and meowing a lot during the night and I'll call her to bed with me and she'll fall back to sleep while I rub her belly. I can feel the kittens moving, I'm thinking there are 3-4 in there. Any advice would be wonderful! Thank you!!!

If she really is that young, birth might be a bit traumatic for her. Instinct should be there, so hopefully it will go smoothly.
I posted some tips in another thread you replied to in regards to signs of impending birth.
I wouldnt expect too much of a drop for a first time momma. Her behaviour will change with 48 hrs of giving birth. She may run around urgently looking for a place to hide. Check her hind end for bloody mucous...a sure sign you should have kittens within a day or so.

Originally Posted by Levi68

If she really is that young, birth might be a bit traumatic for her. Instinct should be there, so hopefully it will go smoothly.
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or not. With a little luck instinct goes in - but young, first times mothers are more often an exception than others...

So be prepared...You must perhaps help some in the beginning.
www.kitten-rescue.com should give you some tips.


Welcome to the Forums
and

Good luck!

Originally Posted by StefanZ

or not. With a little luck instinct goes in - but young, first times mothers are more often an exception than others...

So be prepared...You must perhaps help some in the beginning.
www.kitten-rescue.com should give you some tips.


Welcome to the Forums

and

Good luck!

Click to expand...

You are so right...I really didn't want to scare her but I guess being prepared for the worse is best.

If you can see/feel the babes moving, she'll probably have them within the week, 10 days at most. Being a foster mom myself who has gone through MANY kittens births, it's very exciting! The wait can be frustrating though. Good luck to mom & babies!

Thank you for all the great info!!! She's eating enough for about three cats right now so I'm assuming she is not quite ready to go yet. It seems like everyday I get home from work she has gotten bigger. I will be sure to post updates as things progress!!!

Wow!! She looks ready to burst for sure!
Good luck...it is exciting!

Oh dear, she does look like a little football! Poor dear!!

Best of luck for the birth!