pre-labor or stage 1 labor?

levi68

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Any news excited4dora? Please update when you get a moment and let us know how she's doing...
 

crystal139

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Havent heard anything hope doras ok...kits still hangin in there n im tryin to be patient...my prayers for dora and you!!
 
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excited4dora

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Ok here is my update.  I was going to reply this morning but got a little annoyed.

First off - I have a rough idea on when Dora mated, but that window is during a 1 1/2 week period.  I assumed she was pregnant towards the beginning of that window, but clearly that is not the case.  Towards the end of that window is when I thought she was least likely to have concieved because of her behavior towards the male.  ALTHOUGH, I could be wrong because it is hard to remember 100% for sure from 2 months ago. 

This is what I do know - Dora was in heat Jan 28th, I did not realize that was the case at first because I had given my other cat to a friend and I thought she was acting funny from withdraw of having 'Boots' gone.  When I realized she was in heat I figured, oh well, too late now. She is an inside and outside cat.  I did not know you could get them spayed after getting pregnant BUT I would not have done that anyways. Yes I should have got her spayed long before now (she turned 11 months yesterday) but after dealing with some very very very important and crucial situations in my life I got sidetracked for a few months.  Do NOT criticize me for that or I will definitely give you an earfull on what that 'situation' was I was dealing with.  It was not a happy situation.  I am now in the boat of her being pregnant, oh well, I have homes for them and those owners are getting the cats fixed; as well as myself for my female and one kitten that I will keep.  So enough about the 'should have got her fixed'.  I understand a lot of you deal with rescues and such...i deal with domestic violence shelters and the i do NOT harp on people like I have seen alot on here.  You say your peace and move on, do what you can do and just hope that others will follow.

Secondly - Me being anxious and excited on the delivery of these kittens is NOT harming my cat.  I love my cat and those unborn kittens and would not do something to harm either one.  Just because I am excited and anxious 'typing' on a computer does not mean I am running rampede through the house chasing my cat around.  She lays in bed with me all the time so I lay there quietly not moving and watch her...for hours...yes hours.  Yes it is probably taking a toll on me, i dont care, but it is not affecting her.

Thirdly - I truly do love this site and forum.  I have obtained so much information the past 2 weeks that I couldn't believe how much information there was about pregnant cats and signs towards delivery.  I have learned alot since the beginning and thank you to everyone who has helped and not passed judgement.

Lastly - If I truly thought my cat was in distress, pain, or at risk I would be taking her to the vet or at the very least phoning them.  Which I have called twice already, mainly with questions to reassure me.  I have a deadline, based on the dates of being in heat, that if Dora reaches that last date I will be taking her to the vet.  That date is wednesday.  I also will probably be calling the vet Monday (tomorrow) to double check with them (reassure me again) that she is okay to wait longer.  If they say no, then I will obviously be taking her in then.  I am a single mom that works 2 jobs and is in school fulltime and owns a house I have to keep up on....the last thing I need is an unneccessary vet bill just to confirm she is pregnant (which i know) and that she is almost due (which i know) so when myself and the vet is alarmed enough to have her come in, then she will be.

Now - here is my actual update....

No kittens, obviously ;-)  No consistent contractions, possibly still the weak ones (which would still be considered stage 1).  her belly has dropped.  Her belly is very very firm today, even more so than yesterday.  Babies were very active yesterday.  Today the babies are not moving.  I could feel one or two slightly nudge me but it is very obvious that they are very very very crammed in there.  So once again I am hoping for delivery tonight or tomorrow.  She hasn't had any loose bowels. Still eating, but minimal.  Was kind of active today playing around, but snoozed the rest of the day.  No overwhelming amount of discharge. OH, and no she did not lose her mucous plug 2 weeks ago, i just said she had brownish discharge and vet said it was fine. The smell i mentioned 2 weeks ago was only at that time, I have not noticed it since.  Although she is one heck of a gasy cat now.  With all those babies getting squished she is constantly letting stinkers out....and usually silent so they sneak up on you...WHEW-WEE!!!  :p

So from here on out, please refrain from spaying discussions.  She will be taken care of shortly after.

And thanks again to all of you that have really helped me out with advice and opinions on some of these symptoms/signs I have encountered. 
 

crystal139

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Glad to hear shes doing good...n glad im not tha only one getting gased out..lol..silent but deadly...i am just as exited as you and enjoy sharing with you..wonder whos gonna be first..ha ha...kit is like an oversized ball on legs just seen a lil milk in only one nipple tho shes slept most of the day but has meowd alot..its gotta be soon theres no more room like you said with dora...just hang in there n do what i do ignore all the negativity..YOUR HAVIN BABIES!!!be as exited as you wanna be..:-D
 

lala3

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I wish you knew how.many times ive checked this.forum just with the hopes of receiving a status update from you! I've been following and watching you for a while and.am so happy to see you stand up for yourself. Tho i understand as well as yu do that there are plenty of shelter kittens that need homes, the fact of the matter is our cats are pregnant and we cant change it now! We dont need to be told we're ignorant for not spaying. We are the ones facing the consequences after all! All we can do is be excited for them and help them through this! I know i dont know you but i really felt for dora and you and im SO ECSTATIC shes ok. You answered my questions when no one else did and im so happy for your good news and can go to sleep pleased!!! Please make sure to keep me updated and keep a log on the process she goes thru and signs she exhibits! I want a real life account of what someones gone thru from that person....i have a feeling our kittys will be born on the same day! Again so happy things are going good!
 

lala3

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And crystal139 updates from you are necessary too!
 
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excited4dora

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A ball with legs! LOL yes I hear u on that one.
I just got Dora to play around a bit, she was chasing things around and loved it... Although she basically rolled back and forth to get it. I think the look on her face was "mom, I am too big and fat to run after that, keep it closer" haha :-)
Yes. That would be cool of we has babies on same day... Maybe all three of us :-)
I found something really cool... Which might help ease some minds... A shelter the county over from me is looking for temporary foster parents for pregnant cats. They want to get cats that are due or already nursing to a home away from shelter chaos until the babies are weened or bigger then they go back to the shelter to find permanent homes. I'm going to look into that after Dora gets through hers. I never heard of such a thing, it would be neat :-)

Now Dora is sniffing out and snuggling with an outfit my daughter left on the floor :-) she's never done that before, goofball. Maybe she really missed my daughter being at her dads :-)
 

mamabirdy

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Hello everyone,
Only found this site on Friday and joined it yesterday. I've been reading your posts in anticipation and have highliighted this thread too, so I can keep upto date. I've got a female ginger called Ginny who is approx 9 weeks pregnant this week ( to see full story go to "New kids on the Block" forum and read my I'm a Newbie thread). We got Ginny on the 1st of March and we were going to get her neutered at the end of March when we got paid, but we realised 3 weeks ago that she was expecting so will be getting her done once the kittens have been weaned.
Got to go now as I'm off to work shortly, but am looking forward to reading the updates later.
 
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excited4dora

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Mamabirdy - I just read your post :-) welcome to the forum. Looks like yours is due around the time mine and the other girls on here are. What date did u find out she was 6/7 weeks? Did u go back to find a possible conceptions date? I looked at it, depending on what u said and looks like its week of feb 11th or 18th. My due date for my cat if preg on feb 10th is EDD of April 16th (Tuesday) which is my guess on latest time. Just curious what you think your is :-) any signs yet?
 

mamabirdy

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Hi Dora, thanks for the welcome.
Took Ginny to the vet on the 28th March, he estimated she was 6/7 weeks then, which makes her appeox 8/9 weeks this week. Not sure when she caught, noticed kitty's moving around about 12 days ago, got quite vigorous over the last 5 days. Ginny is following me everywhere round the house and sits by the door waiting for me when I get home from work. Her teats are large and the fur has disappeared from around them. She is waddling around and it's comical to watch. Noticed white discharge patches where she has been lying. Don't think she's dropped yet, never had dealings with a pregnant cat before so have been reading all the threads to get lots of info.
Any sign of imminent delivery of your cat Dora?
Catch you all later at work now.
 

eb24

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Ok here is my update.  I was going to reply this morning but got a little annoyed.

First off - I have a rough idea on when Dora mated, but that window is during a 1 1/2 week period.  I assumed she was pregnant towards the beginning of that window, but clearly that is not the case.  Towards the end of that window is when I thought she was least likely to have concieved because of her behavior towards the male.  ALTHOUGH, I could be wrong because it is hard to remember 100% for sure from 2 months ago. 

This is what I do know - Dora was in heat Jan 28th, I did not realize that was the case at first because I had given my other cat to a friend and I thought she was acting funny from withdraw of having 'Boots' gone.  When I realized she was in heat I figured, oh well, too late now. She is an inside and outside cat.  I did not know you could get them spayed after getting pregnant BUT I would not have done that anyways. Yes I should have got her spayed long before now (she turned 11 months yesterday) but after dealing with some very very very important and crucial situations in my life I got sidetracked for a few months.  Do NOT criticize me for that or I will definitely give you an earfull on what that 'situation' was I was dealing with.  It was not a happy situation.  I am now in the boat of her being pregnant, oh well, I have homes for them and those owners are getting the cats fixed; as well as myself for my female and one kitten that I will keep.  So enough about the 'should have got her fixed'.  I understand a lot of you deal with rescues and such...i deal with domestic violence shelters and the i do NOT harp on people like I have seen alot on here.  You say your peace and move on, do what you can do and just hope that others will follow.

Secondly - Me being anxious and excited on the delivery of these kittens is NOT harming my cat.  I love my cat and those unborn kittens and would not do something to harm either one.  Just because I am excited and anxious 'typing' on a computer does not mean I am running rampede through the house chasing my cat around.  She lays in bed with me all the time so I lay there quietly not moving and watch her...for hours...yes hours.  Yes it is probably taking a toll on me, i dont care, but it is not affecting her.

Thirdly - I truly do love this site and forum.  I have obtained so much information the past 2 weeks that I couldn't believe how much information there was about pregnant cats and signs towards delivery.  I have learned alot since the beginning and thank you to everyone who has helped and not passed judgement.

Lastly - If I truly thought my cat was in distress, pain, or at risk I would be taking her to the vet or at the very least phoning them.  Which I have called twice already, mainly with questions to reassure me.  I have a deadline, based on the dates of being in heat, that if Dora reaches that last date I will be taking her to the vet.  That date is wednesday.  I also will probably be calling the vet Monday (tomorrow) to double check with them (reassure me again) that she is okay to wait longer.  If they say no, then I will obviously be taking her in then.  I am a single mom that works 2 jobs and is in school fulltime and owns a house I have to keep up on....the last thing I need is an unneccessary vet bill just to confirm she is pregnant (which i know) and that she is almost due (which i know) so when myself and the vet is alarmed enough to have her come in, then she will be.

Now - here is my actual update....

No kittens, obviously ;-)  No consistent contractions, possibly still the weak ones (which would still be considered stage 1).  her belly has dropped.  Her belly is very very firm today, even more so than yesterday.  Babies were very active yesterday.  Today the babies are not moving.  I could feel one or two slightly nudge me but it is very obvious that they are very very very crammed in there.  So once again I am hoping for delivery tonight or tomorrow.  She hasn't had any loose bowels. Still eating, but minimal.  Was kind of active today playing around, but snoozed the rest of the day.  No overwhelming amount of discharge. OH, and no she did not lose her mucous plug 2 weeks ago, i just said she had brownish discharge and vet said it was fine. The smell i mentioned 2 weeks ago was only at that time, I have not noticed it since.  Although she is one heck of a gasy cat now.  With all those babies getting squished she is constantly letting stinkers out....and usually silent so they sneak up on you...WHEW-WEE!!!  :p

So from here on out, please refrain from spaying discussions.  She will be taken care of shortly after.

And thanks again to all of you that have really helped me out with advice and opinions on some of these symptoms/signs I have encountered. 
Honestly I am really surprised by the bitterness of your post for numerous reasons. First, not even three days ago you were commenting on how she's been having discharge for a week and you were feeling concerned enough to possibly take her to the vet- so how is other posters advising you to follow through on that wrong? We can only base our answers on the information you provide. Since you really never informed of her condition (other than to continually say she was 'getting close') then how are we to know? Second, there have not been any discussions on the issue of spaying in this thread. I know I brought it up to you in your first thread and you said you were going to remedy it and that was that. Perhaps others have mentioned it but that is their right. TCS is a pro spay and neuter community. I agree continuing to push the issue doesn't get anyone anywhere but when you have multiple threads going you're bound to hear it more than once. Not everyone reads every post in every thread or puts together that multiple threads are by the same person. They are entitled to say their peace, as you are to say yours. Finally, I do think some of your actions are indicative of causing your cat stress, and therefore emotional harm. But again, I only know what you post here. And, when every other post is about doing this or that to her IMO you are not helping the cause. Cats are very sensitive to our energy. Even if you aren't constantly poking and prodding her you are clearly stressed and she will pick up on that. There is only so much you can do in preparing for a litter. As long as you have done your research, prepared your birthing box and kit, and are providing her basic needs all you can do is wait. Constantly trying to re-calcuate dates, review pictures for changes in her stomach and analyzing the significance of vaginal twitching isn't going to make them come any faster. If anything, the stress that I feel you are giving off is only going to prolong pregnancy. 

I am on TCS because I genuinely love cats and especially love helping people navigate the treacherous waters of a first litter. I didn't know about TCS when I had my first Queen and it was a very scary experience. It is always my hope that I can help people feel more comfortable with the process and it brings me great joy to do so. That said, reading and responding to your posts has had the opposite effect on me. There are too many repetitive threads and too many questions that the only suitable answer for is she needs to be evaluated by a vet. As much as it pains me to say so I am clearly not someone who can help you on this journey. 

So, I sincerely wish you the best of luck and I hope Dora has a safe delivery with happy, healthy babies. I will defer to my fellow advisors and other TCS users to provide you with feedback from this point forward. 
 
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excited4dora

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Yea sounds like earliest date was feb 11th to feb 18th. Looks like you'll probably have kittens this weekend maybe ...
Mine had discharge for around 2 weeks. I for sure felt kittens move April 1st maybe sooner (can't remember) but for sure the 1st. So any moment Dora could have hers. Probably going to call vet in morning and see what they think and their thoughts on bringing her in Wednesday.
 
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excited4dora

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Also I just found a couple threads that others have stated seeing white discharge just before labor... Maybe you are sooner than u think ;-)
Maybe kitties will be there when u get home in the morning. :-) good luck
 

mamabirdy

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Dora, just to let you know, I'm in the UK so it's morning already here. Lol it's actually 10.30am at the moment and I'm on my tea break at work. No news from home, which could be a good thing, because if anything was happening I would want to be there, not stuck at work lol.
 

levi68

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Well said EB24. I too had become concerned from the information that YOU provided.

I encouraged you to go to the vet because, when someone updates their thread every hour, on the hour, I am assuming that

that person would be completely devastated upon losing their source of excitement.

I am a foster home for our local shelter. I have seen complications take the life of many kittens. The heartache, I would not wish on you or anyone.

Although, I did see one comment about spaying, for the most part, I think people have been quite supportive. Again, trying to help with only the information that you have given.

For as much joy as birthing can be...until you've held a dying kitten in your hands and felt the compete helplessness...

Perhaps then you can understand our concern for Dora and her babies.
 

tabbymommy

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I joined this site to get help with Tabbys going under the beds problam. I joined also to help people with their problams if I could.
 

feralvr

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Ok here is my update.  I was going to reply this morning but got a little annoyed.

  Do NOT criticize me for that or I will definitely give you an earfull on what that 'situation' was I was dealing with.  It was not a happy situation.  I am now in the boat of her being pregnant, oh well, I have homes for them and those owners are getting the cats fixed; as well as myself for my female and one kitten that I will keep.  So enough about the 'should have got her fixed'.  I understand a lot of you deal with rescues and such... You say your peace and move on, do what you can do and just hope that others will follow.
Was coming on this thread to see how Dora was doing. We all want to support and help you through Dora's pregnancy and I am happy to hear that you will have her spayed. Also glad to hear you have found homes for all of those kittens and please do get them neutered before they go to their new homes. So very important because some people say they will spay/neuter the free kitten but then they don't because of the cost. There are also low - cost spay clinics and I can get you that link if you need it.


.  I have a deadline, based on the dates of being in heat, that if Dora reaches that last date I will be taking her to the vet.  That date is wednesday. 
:cross: :vibes: for a safe delivery for momma and babies.

So from here on out, please refrain from spaying discussions.  She will be taken care of shortly after.
Good. As soon as she has weaned the kittens she can be spayed. The kittens can be spayed at two pounds. Unless you are a breeder of pure bred show cats, I for one, will not stop educating on how very, very important it is for all pet cats to be spayed/neutered, which I can tell you already know is so important too.
 
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