Socializing a stray cat, is this cat pregnant?

Hi! I'm very new to this forum. I have never had a pet in my life, I just had very little interactions with animals, so I need your help!

There was this cat (I think it's a she) always wandering in front my place because my apartment is near the dumpster.

I started feeding her, and at first she was very shy and afraid of me.

But whenever I kneeled down she came to me and started recognizing me from far away.

She started head butting me and rubbing against me. I can pet her, but sometimes she backs away if i don't do it correctly.

I've noticed that there are 2 or 3 cats who look exactly like this cat (probably siblings?) hanging around the dumpster, but I could recognize this one because she had a bit bigger belly compared to other cats.

And I thought maybe she is pregnant?
I feel something for this cat and I wanted to fix her and check her health.

Just a few hours ago I lured her into my place and very carefully just closed the door. I didn't trap her in a cage.

And then she started crying a lot after realizing that there is no exit. She just seemed very anxious and sad, but not hostile (since I wasn't really approaching her)

The crying slowly stopped.

I had a room ready for the cat so I just let her be there alone. Now it's pretty quiet. How long do I leave the cat there for?
Am I doing a stupid thing? Please let me know.

I wanted to take her to a vet anyways, get her fixed.

Have you looked at the cat's genitalia? The top picture looks like maybe a boy. I would try to get her to a vet as soon as possible and find out whether it's a pregnant female in which case you might not want to spay her yet. I know they can perform abortions, but to me seems so sad. If she's not pregnant she might have kittens somewhere. If it's a male he probably just wants to cat around. If it is a non pregnant cat, a vet can tell whether or not she's a nursing mother. I don't think what you did is stupid at all. You are just trying to help this cat! Thank you

Hi @Erinkimbap and welcome to TCS!

You are not doing a stupid thing at all.. it's wonderful that you want to care for her (I'll call her a 'her' till we know differently )..  I would keep her in the room, with food, water, bedding etc.  Can you get hold of a scratching post?  It's a good idea to keep the food and water well away from where her litter is, and the food away from the water (many cats don't like drinking water that is too close to their food).

You need to get hold of a carrier if you don't have one, and get her to a vet asap.  In the meantime, go and sit with her.  You don't need to go near here.. just take your book or ipad or whatever in and be there for a while.  It can be soothing for a cat to be read aloud to (don't laugh.. I've seen it work).

Keep us posted and thank you for caring.

Aw thank you guys! I should get a scratch post. I set up everything (tried my best) but she's been peeing and pooping on my bed when the litterbox is right there. I set up two boxes...I even got the litter attracter but it's not working. She has been crying all day snd night and when she gets tired she falls asleep for a little and wakes up and starts crying again. I can't really fall asleep because of her All the things I prepared for her are just there but she's not using anything. I'm afraid that she's not gonna use the scratch post. I think she's just concerned about the whole trapped situation. But surprisingly she's never hostile, I can touch her belly, and pick her up. Well anyways, I'm taking her to the vet right away !

I got her checked at the vet, she was a pregnant stray cat for sure.

I even got a rescue place ready for her, (I was actually going to adopt her and the kittens and the rescue place was supposed to take care of her until I move out)
AHHHH but after the vet visit she went out!
The vet said she's pretty far into the pregnancy.

Will she come back for the food? I've been going out around the same place/time she used to appear (the dumpster around my place) with other siblings.
The other cats are showing up. It has been 2 days...I feel sad because I feel like I just traumatized her by taking her to the vet

I wonder if there is a way to figure out where she hangs around...

Such a pretty girl.

This isn't my area @Erinkimbap but I do hope someone comes along who can be of more help. 

You did the right thing, taking her to the vet, even if is was disorientating for her.   If she comes back, do keep her secure. 

Did the vet say how pregnant she was? 

Okay, she has been coming back to my place to get food! Hooray!! I got her in my bathroom this time. Having a window was affecting her badly(I feel like) she's meowing crazy again :/ I don't know what to do about this issue. I have the pheromon difuser thing on, a box with towel (which she won't bother to get in lol), litter box with some pottimg soil on the top, a scratch post, some water and food. I think she's almost due, I read that mama cats lose their appetite before giving birth? She still eats a lot I think. But her belly looks really big!! Everything is good, I just wish she could be a little quieter :/ any tips?

She;s adorable! I love her! I;m sure she'll calm down eventually.