Adopted by a Pregnant Stray - Questions

Our family was adopted by a stray cat about 4 weeks ago, and we have not been able to find her family (if she had one). 
So, her name is Snow and she is our newest family member.  We noticed about 3 weeks ago that she was gaining a lot of weight, and last week our neighbor asked us if she was pregnant.  It hadn't occurred to me before, as I thought the kids were secretly over feeding her.  I searched the internet and found this site, and it has been so helpful in learning to be a cat mom!  I looked at her belly and saw pink swollen nipples, and could see huge kitten movements in her tummy.  We hadn't noticed before because she has been very cautious about us petting her.   At first, she would snap at us if we tried to pet her.  Now, she is such a loving little thing and lets us gently rub her big tummy!  It has been over a week ago since we noticed the movements.  Now the kittens make such big movements that you can see them move from several feet away.  You can also see her nipples from several feet away.  She's been hiding in all of the closets for over a week and we even found her in a storage room 2 days ago.  I made her several kittening boxes and placed them in quiet places around the house.  I also read many of your posts/boards and went and bought all of the necessary supplies in case she needs help.  As of today, she has lost fur around her nipples, sleeps most of the day, and is still searching for places to deliver.  She is eating high quality kitten food and has not lost her appetite.  Any ideas as to how far along she might be?  I can take her to vet if needed, but I plan on having her and the kittens spayed, so I am trying to save my "vet funds" for that.  I am going to try and include some pictures!  The one is really dark, but it gives an idea of her tummy size.  Any help from you all would be great.

Sounds like she's close! Beautiful cat, too!
From the time you can see movement, there's about two weeks left. So she's close to the end. :-)

Thank you so much! I thought she must be close.  Thanks for confirming for me!

Amie2643 said:

 
Thank you so much! I thought she must be close.  Thanks for confirming for me!

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No problem. I'm now at the 2 week point since seeing movement. Her temperature hasn't dropped yet, but boy is she getting big!

So sweet!  My girl would never let me take her temp.  She's a feisty one!  She's so big though, I feel terrible for her.  I thought I had it bad when I carried my twins, lol.  Best wishes to you and your babies!

Amie2643 said:

 
So sweet!  My girl would never let me take her temp. 

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You can take the temp in her armpit too, it doenst must be in the behind.  Pretend it is a new game you play.  

It is just somewhat lower in the armpit, 3 degree Fahrenheit or about 1 degree Celcius,   99  and 37 respectively.

Or you can use such a ear-termometer.  It is too a little lover than in the behind.

Otherwise, it is not strictly necessary to measure the temp for delivery.  May be useful, but not necessary.

StefanZ said:

 
You can take the temp in her armpit too, it doenst must be in the behind.  Pretend it is a new game you play.  

It is just somewhat lower in the armpit, 3 degree Fahrenheit or about 1 degree Celcius,   99  and 37 respectively.

Or you can use such a ear-termometer.  It is too a little lover than in the behind.

Otherwise, it is not strictly necessary to measure the temp for delivery.  May be useful, but not necessary.

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Yes, in the armpit is easier. I doubt she'd let me anywhere near her backside with a thermometer! She's had temps ranging from 38.0 to 38.5 for the past two weeks. She doesn't like it, though.
 

Thanks StefanZ!  I had not even thought about that (especially sad since I have 4 kids)!  Thanks for the advice.

Still no kittens. I guess we are headed to the vet on Monday if she doesn't deliver this weekend. Since you all are the experts, what kind of things (as far as a trip to the emergency vet) should I look out for over the weekend. It has been almost 3 weeks since we first saw the kittens moving around. Thanks!

Be patient! I was watching kittens moving for over 3 weeks before Lilith had her little boys.
What is her behaviour like?

She has just been really sleepy for the most part. Yesterday, the kids were having a tickle fight on the floor and she came running in the room and attacked them both (biting and clawing). We still don't know why she did that. An hour or so later, she was back to letting us per her. Otherwise, she has been hiding in really strange places and sleeping. I just would feel terrible if there was a problem and I missed the signs.

C

nyghthawk said:

Be patient! I was watching kittens moving for over 3 weeks before Lilith had her little boys.

What is her behaviour like?

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congrats on your babies by the way. They are so cute!

We have babies! The 4th one was born around 5:30 this morning. 2 black and grey and 2 white babies! Snow is being a terrific mom and has allowed us to help get the bed cleaned and comfy cozy again. She is eating but refusing water for now. They are precious and loving. So sweet! Sorry the picture is so bad, but Snow did not appreciate the flash so we turned it off. She is exhausted poor thing. Thanks for the help and advice. I may be back asking more questions in a few weeks after I have them all spayed/neutered!

Aww so sweet :-) everyone else's cats are having their kittens and Daisy is just happily lazing around doing nothing!

Mum2Daisy said:

Aww so sweet :-) everyone else's cats are having their kittens and Daisy is just happily lazing around doing nothing!

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Thanks:-) Those last few days can be so nerve-wrecking.  Sorry you are still in the middle of it!  Hopefully it will be soon for you and Daisy!  Best of luck!