Is she done with labor?

My cat just had three kittens...how do i know if she is done? i found her with the three, but she is shaking and painting hard.

Hi 

Does she appear to be pushing? Do you have any idea when she had the three kittens?

Based on the little you have said, I am concerned.  If she appears to be in distress (which I'd say she does) and is not pushing (or if she is pushing but has been doing so for over 30 minutes) she really should see a vet.

she had them around a hour ago. she's cleaned herself up and is resting but she still is rather fat. i turned the heat on and she's stoped shaking as bad. i don't notice her pushing just laying there and purring loud.

Shaking and panting without active labor going on is not normal.  I really would consult a vet if at all possible.  Do you have one you could at least call to tell what is going on? Purring can be a sign of distress and does not necessarily mean all is well.

How is she acting toward the kittens? Do they seem okay? 

Yes i have a vet she uses i will give them a call. the kittens are nursing and they are fine. i just feel it's a small litter for the size she was.

I mean, it is very possible she is not done, and this would not be unusual.  Cats can take pauses ranging from a few hours to a full day between births.  What alarms me is the shaking and panting without active labor seeming to occur.  It would not be an issue if she were acting normally and then went on to have some more kittens later. This is fairly common. 

before birth

I wouldn't panic just yet, have heard of fairly long gaps of a few hours after having some kittens and have also heard of shaking etc., throughout labour, delivery...just keep a v close eye on her, congrats on the kittens!

You phoned vet?  What did the vet say?   How is she now?   Still shaking / cramping in muscles?

If she ates something, gve her something containing  calcium...  common milk if you are sure she manages common cow milk from before.    If so, let her have milk, or low lactose milk,  instead of  water.   Other tips are Say, plain youghurt, cheese,...

ONE of the possible complications is they may have too low calcium.   One of the first signs is  shaking of the muscles...

Pause in delivery as such is not dangerous, but pause with complications isnt good.

yes i spoke with the vet. she said the first three may have came quickly and labor is paused to give her a break. but to let the babies nurse cause it helps stimulate contractions. momma cat is just sleeping and babies are nursing. Her vulva is still swollen but i can't see any contractions and she is acting normal. I did get her up and her belly still looks pregant. (poked out to the sides) just a little smaller then before. was told to give it at least 7 hours without her showing any distress. if distress bring her in. if not i can take her in to see of their is any left.

Im happy our advice is essentially the same as the vets;  if no problems - you can wait and see,

but if problems, contact vet asap...

So if her shaking and panting has ended, and she seems fine, no problems -  splendid!!! - yes, you can wait, even longer than 7 hours.

Such a pause can be days too...

Cats seems manage too long pregnancies better than humans.  What they dont manage well is premature deliveries - agan, unlike humans.

You can give her this calcium containing food anyway.  As long as you dont overdo it, it cant harm, although it is not necessary here.

Good luck!

yes i spoke with the vet. she said the first three may have came quickly and labor is paused to give her a break. but to let the babies nurse cause it helps stimulate contractions. momma cat is just sleeping and babies are nursing. Her vulva is still swollen but i can't see any contractions and she is acting normal. I did get her up and her belly still looks pregant. (poked out to the sides) just a little smaller then before. was told to give it at least 7 hours without her showing any distress. if distress bring her in. if not i can take her in to see of their is any left.

one last thing i just thought of...she had them on my daughters bed so i moved her and babies to her crate...would that of made her stop?

mommam3 said:

one last thing i just thought of...she had them on my daughters bed so i moved her and babies to her crate...would that of made her stop?

Click to expand...

Possibly.   If she took this as disturbing.  They CAN  wait little with delivery, if necessary.   But its guessing, we cant know.

Also, they very often delver somewhere else than in their nest, and move into nest first after the delivery....  In nature, they dont want to get their nest soiled and smelly.

Dont have bad conscience, this wont hurt her anyways, even if it disturbs her happiness.