Strange red marks on Mother Cat's cheeks!

Hi all, lurker here that signed up just to ask this, since I'm feeling a bit concerned for my cat rn.

Anyway, our Cat gave birth to three beautiful kittens more than 2 weeks ago; they've opened their eyes and all seem healthy and safe thus far. However, the issue is with the mother; for the past few days I've noticed what looks like a red scab on her cheek by the whiskers. I figured that perhaps the kittens had scratched her, and the only reason I wasn't concerned is because she seemed completely normal otherwise; still feeling her kittens and eating well.

I've been checking her litterbox and her poop is fine, and in general nothing behavior wise has changed. But my anxiety worsened when I checked her face today and noticed another red spot by her jaw; i don't know how to describe it other than it looks like exposed muscle? It doesn't seem infected, and she's still eating, but I am worried. I really do want to take her to a vet to check on everything, but what about the kittens?Should we transport them with the mother, or can we leave them without her for a few hours? I really don't want to do that, but I have to make sure the mother is alright. For the time being I'll be keeping a close eye on mama cat. I noticed she seemed to be shaking her head a bit; a sign she's in pain?

She is a mostly indoor cat, completely indoors since giving birth, even though we took her in as a stray (Which is how she got pregnant). We never noticed this problem before, and again I theorize this might have started from her little kittens scratching her, since it looks like a wound , but would it get this big?

I'd just like some advice on what to do, and how worried I should be. Thank you all.

Can you post a picture? From your description, it sounds like an abscess to me. It starts as an infection under the skin and then breaks open. They're pretty common in strays and feral cats, due to fighting. 

I'll try, though like I said she hasn't been outside since giving birth. Could kitten scratches cause an abscess?

Possibly, but I doubt it. It takes absesses a while to rupture. They're usually from hard bites. They start pretty small and get bigger. 

I don't think it's that, then. It's on her left cheek, right where the whiskers grow and a bit under. Could it be a chemical burn, contact with cockroach poison? I remember my mother putting some in a cupboard (even though I told her not to) and all the cockroaches scattered around. Could coming in contact with dead cockroaches have caused a skin reaction?

I think having it vet checked is a good idea, and I think with the kittens being three weeks (?) that you can either take them or leave them.  I think that really depends on how momma does.  If momma will be more stressed being taken from her babies, then take them with you. It will be good for them to have a vet visit where nothing bad happens.  But, it might cause MORE stress on the mom if she is being defensive over her kittens.  Abscess, scratch, or something else, if it needs an antibiotic, the sooner the better.

could it be acne?