pregnant stray

Hi all, I am new to this site, and I have a pregnant stray that I rescued and I was told that she has had her big belly for over a month (that's how they knew she was pregnant) I have had her in my home for 3 days. I am trying to figure out when to expect babies. Her belly is extended and I have felt movement and can feel the kittens. Her nipples are large and pick and the hair around them is gone. She has dry skin around them too. she has been eating a lot since being in my home (again I am assuming that's from not having the best care as being a stray) I haven't noticed her "nesting" but she seems to really like my bathroom. she is loving and very affectionate but can also be on the attack. I will try to upload pictures of her. I am wondering if anyone can give me their guessimate on how far long she is. I know that queens are pregnant for about 65 days. I am thinking she is about 7-8 weeks?

The exact day is difficult to know, even for persons who own the cat...  But it sounds close.  When you feel the kittens move its about 2 weeks left.  So, two weeks or less here.  In the last day before delivery when the kittens are in the birthing positions and she "drops" they move less.

They often take the nest in last moments, as they dont want it to become  smelly too early.  They dont want to draw predators on themselves and the kittens.

But prepare a couple of nest propsals, so she knows she is safe and guarded.

How used are you with birthing cats or other animals?   Anyway, I will put in some links.  

Could you give a couple of good photos of her head?   It may be she is young, it may be she is half starved before she come to you, but I still think she is gracile and longish by herself.  My guess she is a fresh mix  of some gracile breed, alike modern siamese or oriental. Perhaps a Russian blue.   Did the shelter a microchip reading?   (I presume you cooperate with a shelter?)

Good luck!

Most of the links are readied by our forumist Red Top Rescue.

We have a good collection of articles in the Cat Health section which you can access by scrolling up to the brown bar, clicking on Articles,and then choosing the Cat Health section and scrolling through the choices.  To make this super easy for you, I am copying the links regarding birth, delivery and newborns for you here.  After reading this information, let us know if you have any more questions.  And good luck with your approaching new arrivals.

Birth, Delivery and Newborns

How to Tell if My Cat is Pregnant?

Cat Pregnancy

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth?

Pregnant Cat? What to Prepare For the Birth

Help! My Cat is Having Kittens!

Premature Kittens

Post-Birth Complications in Cats

And also:

http://www.icatcare.org/advice/my-cat-having-kittens     ( This is a link to a group of articles on cat pregnancy, birth and kittens.   Read the ones on normal cat birth and on " when to wait and when to worry"  )  

I  have had cats in my life since I was little. I have never actually birthed any kittens as the mommas have always given birth by themselves and at night, so I've always woke up to the babies
 Although I do appreciate your respond, You did not tell me anything new I am not at all concerned with her breed. Yes she is skinny but I wouldn't say half starved, she does not fleas or any other issues. I do not work with any rescues but I take in strays; get them healthy and spayed/neutered and find homes for them. This female was the "resident" stray at an apartment building, that a friend of mine lives at. Thank you though

Thank you StefanZ! I'm going to read every single one of those links right now!!

RescueMomma, hi! I'm new as well and in the same boat! Thanks for sharing your story and all the best!

My stray came to us very early in her pregnancy, but by our calculations, she cannot be two (and a bit ) weeks away, so you and I are probably in a dead heat (pun!).

Please keep updating, I'd love to hear about someone else in the same boat.