Need some help with labour signs!

katieandminerva

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Hello all! Thanks for having me. My lovely girl Minerva is expecting. We've had her four weeks but the vet who checked her for us said she was between 2 and 5 weeks when we got her. I think she was higher end as she was already massively showing.

I've never done this before and have been reading obsessively but thought it was better just to ask for some advice from experienced owners.

This morning she has been restless and panics whenever I leave her (which hasn't been the case at all) and has also lost all interest in going upstairs and food.

A little while ago she yelped and started rolling around the floor before sniffing lots and then locked her you-know-what. I haven't read anything about the rolling but it was reminscent of writhing in pain.

She's now resting but is a bit twitchy and huffing a lot.

Two days ago her nipples suddenly swelled more and were leaking a little.

Am I facing go time?

We've got everything prepared though I'm fully expecting her to try to have them on the new sofa!
 

talkingpeanut

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I believe you are looking at stage one labor!

Do you have nests set up for her? She'll want a private, dark room for her babies. A closet works well.

Have you bought kitten supplies? Kmr (powdered; PetAg and Royal Canin are good), a needleless syringe, and a small scale are musts. You also need lots of kitten chow and wet food because nursing moms should have as much as they can eat.

Post photos!!
 

StefanZ

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Hello all! Thanks for having me. My lovely girl Minerva is expecting. We've had her four weeks but the vet who checked her for us said she was between 2 and 5 weeks when we got her. I think she was higher end as she was already massively showing.

I've never done this before and have been reading obsessively but thought it was better just to ask for some advice from experienced owners.

This morning she has been restless and panics whenever I leave her (which hasn't been the case at all) and has also lost all interest in going upstairs and food.

A little while ago she yelped and started rolling around the floor before sniffing lots and then locked her you-know-what. I haven't read anything about the rolling but it was reminscent of writhing in pain.

She's now resting but is a bit twitchy and huffing a lot.

Two days ago her nipples suddenly swelled more and were leaking a little.

Am I facing go time?

We've got everything prepared though I'm fully expecting her to try to have them on the new sofa!
No some of us dont.   It happens high pregs are behaving almost like in heat.  Its the pressure on their organs giving funny signals...

Anyway, I suspect its very soon.   If she wishes you rub her tummy, do so.  Its btw sort of another sign of nearing time.
 
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katieandminerva

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Here she is!

We're all set up with the bits and pieces and given her options in all available rooms :)

Thank you for answering. I think I've got my head around everything but it's not the same as being given advice to things I'm not sure about!
 
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katieandminerva

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I thought things were starting last night because she started huffing lots but still no movement. She finally went in to her nesting box to sleep though so I'm taking that as a good sign that she's happy with the box...for now!

One question I do have - as she's quite young (we're not completely certain of age as she was a stray that adopted a man who subsequently was made homeless) I'm concerned that all the kittens may not survive. If there are any stillborns shall I remove them straight away?

At the moment there's plenty of wriggling going on in there so hopefully there won't be any problems but I'd just like to be prepared!
 

talkingpeanut

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I think usually it's recommended to let the mom see you taking the kitten away. There isn't a need to rush it away from mom, but you don't need to leave it there either.

Hopefully everything will be fine!
 

StefanZ

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I think usually it's recommended to let the mom see you taking the kitten away. There isn't a need to rush it away from mom, but you don't need to leave it there either.

Hopefully everything will be fine!
True!  Good she may have time to notice the kitten is dead, and later on, see you taking it away  (similiar advice with almost all other separations.).  So she isnt needing the same to search after the kitten, as she would do otherwise.
 
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katieandminerva

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Thank you. I know it seems morbid but I just want to be prepared. It's so confusing as the vet couldn't age her very precisely because she's so short and stumpy! but in case she is younger than we think I've been doing so much reading.

In other news: This has now become my day


Accompanied by constant purring.

She's never allowed this amount of affection since she's been with us without getting herself in a panic so it's been really sweet!
 
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katieandminerva

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Aww! Is this your first litter? I'm trying to be patient and just go with the flow but it's so hard!
 
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katieandminerva

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Minerva is in her box having contractions! Constant purring and seems comfiest on her tummy at the moment. She's facing me so I can't get a good look of behind. She looks very bewildered!
 
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katieandminerva

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We have two kittens so far born just over 10 minutes apart. Mummy seems to know exactly what she's doing so no worries at all. Both were a couple of screams and out they popped!

Not sure whether to expect anymore? Her belly still looks big? She's started miaowing again!
 
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katieandminerva

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We're now at four. All black and white just like mum. I think there may be one more to come at least given the way she's behaving. All are feeding well and Minerva is very relaxed considering and doing a great job!
 

di and bob

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How exciting!!! As long as mom is calm and content, everything should go fine, is she has contractions and seems anxious, but no more kittens for an extended time, call the vet. Congratulations, and give the tired mo m a kiss from me!
 
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