Mittens is due soon....

I am very excited I am fostering Mittens who is very pregnant. I can feel and see the babies moving in her belly. I don't think there are a lot in there my guess is maybe 3. She seems so uncomfortable always changing sitting positions or just lying sprawled out. I also notice she swats her tail a lot and when I feel her belly the babies are moving like crazy so I wonder if they are hurting her, poor thing. I keep watching for the kittens and I don't want to miss their birth. She is still eating like a pig, wish me luck and here's hoping I get some cute kitties soon.

Any babies yet?

No babies yet, I hate this waiting thing, lol. They are moving even more now which is fun to watch, but I want to see what they look like.

So this morning there was a lot of meowing from Mittens room and to my surprise a yellow bag was hanging from her, she climbed into my lap and delivered her first kitten, what a sight to see. Well after 4 hours we had 6 healthy kittens. 2 black, 2 black and white, 1 tabby and 1 grey and white. The smallest was 100grams and the largest was 134 grams, all are doing well and so is momma. She wants a lot of attention still from me and when I go in her room comes up to me to be pet t will go back to the kittens to let them nurse. The only thing I find odd is that she is panting a lot, I don't know if it is because she is hot I am hoping there isn't another surprise in there. It was such an amazing experience, my mom wants to keep one and so does my sister, I will never forget this day.

Wow, she did good. Six in four hours! Panting can indicate stress however, it could be she's overheated.

Good luck and upload pics when you can
 

Is it hot where you live?

If it seems too hot, is there any way to reduce the heat?  On her, you can brush her off with a damp cloth now and then. It will cool her off a little, as cats dont sweats like humans.   Some air "propeller" to give some air flow is also good - but not too strong.

But how to cool down the kittens, I dont have really good proposals.

Unless you do have air condition of course.

Otherwise, if NOT heat, you must watch on the panting. Do you have any good vet you can phone and ask?  The vet will know which follow up questions to give.

Good luck!
 

Panting isn't normal, she may be overheated. With my Summer litters the kitten pen is well covered and there's a fan on in the room - not directly on the cat or kittens, but to cool the room down. Sheets around the kitten pen make sure there are no drafts getting on the kittens, and her bed is also covered with a blanket over the top as I do with all litters to help mum feel secure. 

The panting settled, we have air conditioning but i turned one off so it didnt get too hot but i guess i did the wrong thing. She seems to want me in there all the time petting her as she nurses them but i think she just needs reassurance and maybe tired and overwhelmed today. I read that i should leave them alone but she will meow at the door when she wants me. They are so cute and sweet so exciting

Pnp26 said:

The panting settled, we have air conditioning but i turned one off so it didnt get too hot but i guess i did the wrong thing. She seems to want me in there all the time petting her as she nurses them but i think she just needs reassurance and maybe tired and overwhelmed today. I read that i should leave them alone but she will meow at the door when she wants me. They are so cute and sweet so exciting

Click to expand...

 If she wants you to be there, you may of course do so.

The problem is, sometimes they want their Mom to be there and give sympathy, if they dont feel well.

So be optimistic, but you must watch out some.  The situation is perhaps not entirely problemfree with Mittens.

Although the kittens are big and healthy. (dont forget to weigh them every day).

Good luck!

Everything is OK, as I saw in your new tread. Excellent! 

So the extra watch wasnt necessary?? Nay, better to be safe than sorry.  Most often the situation solves itself positively. But I have witnessed several times it could take a quick turn down, for example an infection quickly developing, and just the watchfullness and quick action of the owner saved the mom...

So always, when in slightest doubt, be hopefull but do watch closely. And know the tel nr and adress to your vet.

The Lord guards the guarded, as the polish proverb tells.

Good luck!

Update.....everyone is doing wonderful, one almost has his eyes open already and some of their umbilical cords are falling off. They are getting so big and crawling around it is wonderful. Mittens is a wonderful mommy she nurses them often and looks out for them, last night she took about 30 minutes out to pLay with me which was fun. Below is a list of theirweightsfrom Tuesday 7/24 when they were born to last night 7/28

Cat 1-110 to159 grams
Cat2-115 to 178
Cat3-100 to 162
Cat4- 118 to 174
Cat5- 113 to 179
Cat6- 134 to 208

I'm very proud.

When do we get some pics?