Stray cat chose my family

Just from looking and comparing pictures, I do think her stomach has "dropped" as she isn't very football shaped when I look down on her now

Looks like it to me too.

The wetness may be excessive grooming there too, sounds like she is getting very near her labor.

Her milk came in! Hoping she goes this weekend so I can be with her! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

I think there's a good chance she will!

Rub and massage her tummy, if she allows you!   This seems to help to going a little quicker and nicer!   @samanthalynn770

StefanZ I was rubbing!!! Coukdnt find her while getting ready for work this morning, and she was under the bed, cleaning the first kitten! I was hoping she would wait until I was home from work and now I'm a nervous wreck!!! I will run home on my lunch break to check on them. Sad I'm missing out on the birth

samanthalynn770 said:

@StefanZ I was rubbing!!! Coukdnt find her while getting ready for work this morning, and she was under the bed, cleaning the first kitten! I was hoping she would wait until I was home from work and now I'm a nervous wreck!!! I will run home on my lunch break to check on them. Sad I'm missing out on the birth

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Oy!   But as so long she is happy, lets be happy we too.   Them preferring to give birth alone is common enough. Even quite a few family girls do so.

Good luck!

Yeah, i just couldn't believe I waited so long and now have to miss it! So anxious for my lunch break so I can run home and see how she did, and how many kittens we've just welcomed into the world! 1 more hour to go, I'll be sure to post some pictures! Send good vibes that I have positive news to report! Thank you again for all your help during this time

HELP! I need to know if this is normal...she has only had the one kitten since 730 this morning. I was there for 30 minutes and she was having contractions and actively pushing but nothing was happening. is it normal for the delivery pause to take this long? Unfortunately I have to return to work and won't be home until 4:30 PM. Please advise and settle my mind.

samanthalynn770 said:

HELP! I need to know if this is normal...she has only had the one kitten since 730 this morning. I was there for 30 minutes and she was having contractions and actively pushing but nothing was happening. is it normal for the delivery pause to take this long? Unfortunately I have to return to work and won't be home until 4:30 PM. Please advise and settle my mind.

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Pauses are quite normal, but not if it was active labor the whole time!   Active labor for the second etc kittens shall be much shorter than for the first.

How is it?   Seeing on the pics, there dont seems to be problems.  big healthy kitten, and mom allows it to suckle.  Moms in distress usually dont manage to be bothered by their already born kitten...

As said, a pause is OK, as long she is OK etc....  We dont want pauses filled with problems, though.

@StefanZ  I appreciate the fast response. As stated, she had the first kitten at 7:30am (approx). I went to check on her at 11:30 and she still had the first born (beautiful! big, nice coat, feeding well) she was laying contently, so i spent my break rubbing her belly and petting her all over. She was purring loudly, but as I was sitting there, noticed her contractions. She pushed through 3 sets of contractions, but then unfortunately I had to return back to work. She wasn't actively pushing when I first arrived, however, I have no way of knowing if she had been doing that prior to my arrival. I was very calm, and she seemed to be as well. Only thing I noted was heavy breathing during the contractions.

 I offered her food + water, but she was not interested, which i know is normal. There was no active blood/mucus at the delivery site, even after she was pushing.

So, I just want to make sure it's completely normal for a 5 hour pause between 1st kitten and 2nd kitten...

samanthalynn770 said:

 
So, I just want to make sure it's completely normal for a 5 hour pause between 1st kitten and 2nd kitten...

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OK, I see.

Lets presume then it was no active labor in between.  Just some smaller contractions while you were there.  Or even, she began labor anew because you were there, but stopped when you went.   They can stop and wait, themselves choosing the time and place in some degree.

Its touchy of course, but I hope you can wait and see...  I darely hope.

How are your possibiiliteis with a quick contact with a knowleable vet?

StefanZ said:

 
OK, I see.

Lets presume then it was no active labor in between.  Just some smaller contractions while you were there.  Or even, she began labor anew because you were there, but stopped when you went.   They can stop and wait, themselves choosing the time and place in some degree.

Its touchy of course, but I hope you can wait and see...  I darely hope.

How are your possibiiliteis with a quick contact with a knowleable vet?

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@StefanZ  , I was hoping that as well; I've read several posts on the forum stating that the cat waiting until their owners were present to begin labor, so I am praying that is what she did, and when i arrived she went into active labor again. I have cancelled my plans for this evening, and will be going home an extra hour early from work, so my time to get back to her has been narrowed down to 3 more hours (stressful hours!).

If she hasn't delivered anymore by the time I return, and I think you'll agree, I will be taking her in immediately to her vet.

Assuming she held off on labor, I hope all is going smoothly since I left again. I hate that I had to go back into work, but it's much needed, especially if I have to (God forbid) take her in for surgery!

Have you heard of instances such as mine, where she continued birthing normally after such a long pause from the 1st born?

samanthalynn770 said:

 
@StefanZ  , I was hoping that as well; I've read several posts on the forum stating that the cat waiting until their owners were present to begin labor, so I am praying that is what she did, and when i arrived she went into active labor again. I have cancelled my plans for this evening, and will be going home an extra hour early from work, so my time to get back to her has been narrowed down to 3 more hours (stressful hours!).

If she hasn't delivered anymore by the time I return, and I think you'll agree, I will be taking her in immediately to her vet.

Assuming she held off on labor, I hope all is going smoothly since I left again. I hate that I had to go back into work, but it's much needed, especially if I have to (God forbid) take her in for surgery!

Have you heard of instances such as mine, where she continued birthing normally after such a long pause from the 1st born?

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Its really the safest, if you DO have a good vet. 

The kittens are now fully made and mature, so its no longer any risk they may be premature if the labor forced on by hormones, or even by a cesarean.  Otherwise, THIS would be one of the risks.

Yes, as said, pauses arent uncommon, they may be hours, but even a couple of days.  

StefanZ said:

 
Its really the safest, if you DO have a good vet. 

The kittens are now fully made and mature, so its no longer any risk they may be premature if the labor forced on by hormones, or even by a cesarean.  Otherwise, THIS would be one of the risks.

Yes, as said, pauses arent uncommon, they may be hours, but even a couple of days.  

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samanthalynn770 said:

 
@StefanZ  , I was hoping that as well; I've read several posts on the forum stating that the cat waiting until their owners were present to begin labor, so I am praying that is what she did, and when i arrived she went into active labor again. I have cancelled my plans for this evening, and will be going home an extra hour early from work, so my time to get back to her has been narrowed down to 3 more hours (stressful hours!).

If she hasn't delivered anymore by the time I return, and I think you'll agree, I will be taking her in immediately to her vet.

Assuming she held off on labor, I hope all is going smoothly since I left again. I hate that I had to go back into work, but it's much needed, especially if I have to (God forbid) take her in for surgery!

Have you heard of instances such as mine, where she continued birthing normally after such a long pause from the 1st born?

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  Im discussing this with vet accion, in part because as I understand, she is fulltime, even somewhat on extra time.

With a high preg who werent full time, or the exact time unsecure; I would  advise contact with a good vet, but would warn against hasty  cesarean if it isnt necessary.  With human babies its the standard to do if there is any risk for moms health. With kittens it endangers the kittens, if they are premature even a few days, unlike human babies.

Here they arent premature, thus, its wise to consult a good vet, and if he recommends cesarean, its natural to do so, and I dont have objections.

StefanZ okay, thank you. I appreciate the honest advice. I'm terribly anxious to get home in an hour and quickly assess the situation. I have called the vet and he agrees if she hasn't delievered anymore by the time I get home, immediate action is required. I'm terrified for the kittens safety, as well as Momma's . Hoping I am over-reacting and she will have additional kittens when I arrive to her. Hoping for the best...