First Cat Pregnancy and I have a few questions.

My 1 year old Bombay cat Kleo is pregnant, like REALLY pregnant. How did I find this out you ask? I went to pet her and I got kicked in the hand by her womb child. I didn't purposely breed her, she would sneak out at night and come back in the morning. We'd be sleeping and Kleo would hide in the shadows until someone would open a door and go get her some and then come back, usually we'd find her in the garage the morning after (if we kept her in a room with the door closed she'd either squeeze under it or someone would open it because she would cry loudly).
Last Monday, when we had found out she was pregnant her other symptoms were: large stomach, large, dark pink nipples, her kittens were moving around ALOT, and she was nesting. Some things that seem odd to me is that she: lays on her stomach, jumps onto really high things, her nipples became lighter in color and seemingly smaller and likes to fight with other cats (she initiates the fights a lot). The cats have wanted to be near her the past few days, like crying by the door to get into the room sometimes. Until yesterday I couldn't feel her babies move for two days, her babies were a bit active yesterday and she seems thinner on her sides now. She definitely hasn't given birth yet, but I'm not sure if she's close or not. I read somewhere I shouldn't take her to a vet this late in pregnancy unless it's an emergency. Last night she had a small little whine" and no visible contractions and did the same little whine while I was watching a youtube video of a cat going through labor. She's been very affectionate towards humans, but not towards animals. She's eating, drinking, and peeing alot.

My questions are:

Why are her nipples lighter?
Why does she lay on her stomach?
Why does she nest on and off?
Why are her babies less active?
Do you think she's close to giving birth?
What did your cats do before she gave birth?
Is she supposed to be jumping and fighting a lot?
Any advice?

Before Pregnancy


During Pregnancy

It sounds possible that the kittens have dropped into the birth canal and she is getting ready for delivery.  You usually have kittens 2-3 weeks after you can feel them move, but I know you probably didn't notice at first.  It is normal for kittens to seem less active when they drop because they are squished.

It is time for her to be in a room away from all other animals where she has nest options.  She needs dark, quiet, and warm options.  A closet with the door ajar is best.  She is being territorial over her babies and does not need the stress of other animals.  Stage one labor can start and stop.  

Are all of your other animals spayed and neutered?

It is also critical that she not be allowed outside.  Some moms try to deliver out there.  Also, she will go into heat again before she can be spayed.  Mom can be spayed when the kittens are 8 weeks old.  She can get pregnant again within a week of delivery and without going into heat, so you really need to keep her in.

Her nipples are probably changing from milk production developing and from hormone changes.  Nothing to worry about.

It's time for you to get some supplies.  You will need a small scale so you can weigh the kittens daily and be sure they are gaining enough.  You will also need kitten milk replacer (kmr, powdered by PetAg is best) and a needleless syringe in case you need to supplement.

Thank you so much! She has a closet and cabinet she can nest in. All animals are female and only her and one other cat are not spayed yet. She is not allowed outside anymore, the original owner said she was  a male cat so we did let her outside for a while, but since we realized she's actually a female she hasn't been outside except when she would sneak out. We had recently moved so there's no way she could get out of this house and it doesn't seem like she wants out of the house.

All sounds good.  Let her have her space and don't let the other animals around her at all for now.  She will likely want privacy until the kittens are around three-weeks-old.  You can put food, water, and litter box for mom in the room with the nest.  Mom should have constant access to dry kitten food and meals of wet kitten food throughout the rest of pregnancy and while she is nursing.  She needs as much as she can eat!

Spaying is important for your cats even if they are indoors only, which you may know.  Pyometria, an infection of the uterus, and reproductive cancers are quite common.  I'm glad to hear you can keep them inside, though!  Cats can really be escape artists.  Let us know if you'd like some help finding a low-cost clinic for spaying and neutering.

Do you plan to keep the kittens?

Thank you! I'll definitely let her have her space and yes we plan to keep all of them and spay/neuter them all once they are here. There are a few places around here that spay and neuter for free so I'll be taking them there.

Do you have any idea why she is laying on her stomach so much? Wouldn'tthat hurt the babies?

Jeleena said:

 
Do you have any idea why she is laying on her stomach so much? Wouldn'tthat hurt the babies?

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Many high pregs likes to lie on something chilly.  Probably they get too hot, with these kittens inside.

Jeleena said:

 
Do you have any idea why she is laying on her stomach so much? Wouldn'tthat hurt the babies?

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She is probably in pain and the pressure might feel nice.  The kittens are pretty protected in their sacs in the womb.

Oh, okay. I was just making sure. Thank you!

How long are cats supposed to have contractions?
I was at school and my mom called saying Kleo is having contractions around 2:18.
It is really wet in her nest is right now and I think she is sleeping, what is going on? Is that normal?

Yes, the first part of labor can go on for a day or two. She's getting close though!

She had one kitten half an hour ago and is still pushing the other one out but it seems she's being interrupted by the other kitten when the other is almost out. And it can't find a nipple.

Any advice?

Mom may wait to let the kittens nurse until she is done delivering. Did she clean the kitten?

How long has she been pushing the other one? Is she struggling?

Yes, the first kitten is completely clean. However, every time she goes to push the second one and I can see it the baby starts meowing LOUD or goes by her vagina and she stops.

She's not trying to push anymore

Anything now? You don't want the baby stuck in the birth canal.

Did the next baby come out yet?

The baby was stuck butt first in the birth canal. Kleo and three of her unborn almost died, but we took her to an emergency veterinary hospital that required a 500 dollar down payment for a surgery that would more than likely save Kleo and less likely her kittens. I had 25 in the bank, called everyone bawling my eyes out begging for help for HOURS while they let Kleo sit in another room where they did nothing but pet her like "hope you don't die," and eventually a few family members loaned the money and Kleo got the C section. Absolutely terrible that you can't get emergency services for an animal like you can for a human, but you know "pets don't have feelings or anything". Anyways, Kleo and all four of her babies made it and she's been letting me hold her newborns and petting her. She did get spayed. She wasn't producing milk which was why her nipples weren't very big.

Oh, my! What a terrible situation. Thank goodness they are all okay now. Poor gal. Is she producing milk now, and are the babies nursing? If not, you'll need to supplement the kittens with formula.

Kleo is not producing milk and wont drink without someone tricking her. Earlier she got up looking for the kittens but they were right where she left them, is that normal?