Nesting questions

Hi Guys, so I have been reading a lot on the forum and found some great info but i have some questions I woud love answered rather than trying to find everything.
What is the best thing to use for a nest box? I was thinking a cardboard box with fleece in it but then I read it should be covered?
She has this little hidden area in her room she sleeps now and that's where I want to put her nesting box because unless you really go over to the area it is hidden nicely. I think she is 7 weeks but who knows so I am guessing I should put her nesting box in there now right?
Is fleece okay to use or should I line it with something else?
I don't know how far along she is, the shelter told me maybe 7 weeks but they weren't positive so I just want to be ready.
What emergency supplies should I have on hand just incase?
Thanks for any info

I have used old towels covered with a pillowcase since kitten claws get stuck easy on towel but from what I have read fleece is good. My Pixies nesting boxes are placed all over the place, two in her usual spots and another one out of the way. I have used quite big cardboard boxes with a hole cut in the side, high enough that the kittens wont fall out but not so high she cant walk in and out as she pleases, when she finally picks a box I will set up a litter tray nice and close for her.

You should get some kitchen scales to weigh the kittens every day at about the same time so you can be sure they are growing and I would have some kmr on hand if your cat is quite young or if she has a large litter.

Keep us posted

For a mess like this, only ShamWow will do (joking). 

Really, anything soft without strings or yarn would be fine.  Have on hand a bulb syringe (in case you need to clear any little noses), hand towels (in case you have to help dry off babies), pair of sterile gloves (in case you must assist with delivery or tearing cord), and KMR and bottle. 

Fleece is perfect as it's easy to wash and dry and you can wash it hot - 60C.

Cardboard is perfect as you can throw it away afterwards!  You can drape the top of the box or use part of another box to cover it.  (I watched Blue Peter!)  You can also trim it to lower the side once the kittens are getting mobile.  I confess, though, I used a round washable cat nest last time I fostered, though it was in a large dog cage in a spare bedroom.  As the kittens grew I changed them (I have two) for a larger lower sided one.  Eventually the kittens prefered the linen drawer under my bed.

Personally I have never worried about sterile gloves for tearing a cord - mum's mouth is far from sterile.  However I would have recently washed hands.  If you have to, tear it as far away from the kitten as possible.  Tearing is far better than cutting as it makes the blood vessels in the cord contract which prevents excessive bleeding.

Make sure you have the vet's out of hours details to hand - phone number, and where to go.  You almost certainly won't need them but you really don't want to have to try to find them in the middle of the night.  If it's somewhere you've never been before a trip there would probably be worthwhile as well, unless you are absolutely sure you won't have a problem finding it.

Lots and lots of info on the FAB's website:

http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/breeding_from_your_cat/felineparturition.html

http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/understanding/kitten.html

This one I really hope you don't need:

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/kittens/handrearing.html

I use polar fleece throw rugs for my kittens, changed twice a day, white or light coloured for the first few days to easily spot any bleeding from mum.A box will be fine, I tuck a blanket over the top of my girls birthing beds so they feel secure for the first week or so after birth. Not covered during the actual birth because you need to be able to see everything and pat your girl.

Thank you so much everyone, she is so funny, right now I am on the floor in her room and she snuck away to take a nap but whenever I get up to leave she comes out and looks at me to almost ask why I am not staying with her while she is sleeping. Nashe also mainly eats when someone else is watching her, my husband said he went in the room a few times yesterday and every time she just ate and she did e same thing to me this morning. She is such a character already. I m so excited and thanks for your help.