Help with cat (not?) giving birth

My cat was being ultra clingy the last few days, and last night she started having contractions and out came something. I was cuddling her so I had moved quickly to get a towel and she had eaten it by the time I looked back. I thought it was a mucus plug. Since then she's been needy and chirpy and alternating between following me around and nesting in a box. She is licking her vagina a lot. However, it's been over 12 hours with no sign of anything else coming out. She's been laying with me for the last 4 hours. I'm worried it was a miscarriage, but she is still licking and meowing. Her nipples have dried discharge on them. I can feel her uterus and get sides still stick out a bit.

This is her first litter.

She is also really tiny, I was expecting only one or two kittens.

I'm not sure if it was a false labor (but the something that came out?) or what.

I hope someone more experienced can help you but I've read that the first stage of labor can last from 12-24. Can you call your vet to see if its something that needs vet attention?

I don't have a way to get there right now, unfortunately. If this lasts I'll have to try to go tomorrow. I have hope she'll give birth by then.

Me too! Hopefully she's just taking a while since its her first. Let me know how it works out.

Kept researching because i was curious and found this -
" an example of one of the more immediate signs could be when your cat discharges her mucus plug which usually results in her having her kittens within the following 24 hours though I have known it to be longer. "

Now, if its mucus, then everything is OK,  When the rest follows, we cant know exactly, but it sounds near.

It COULD be miscarriage too.  and yes, it happens they do eat up the result, so nothing much is visible outwards if you arent there and actually see what happens.  Which is why they do so.  In nature there are predators...

So, her being now in some distress, may be because she is still in phase one of hopefully delivery.  Lets hope this is so, and its just to wait some. Phase one may be quite long.

What we dont want, is a long active phase with pushing and full labor.  Full labor in cats is typically shorter than with humans, maximum one hour, and you must rush in to the vet...

If you decide she really isnt in distress, "just" prepararing for labor, you be vigialant, but can wait and see.

If she is in distress, and its not normal labor, it becomes touchy...

Do you have possiblility to phone your vet and get guidance on the phone?  Its often easier to get guidance through the phone, and the vet knows exactly what follow up questions to give.

caliban said:

My cat was being ultra clingy the last few days, and last night she started having contractions and out came something. I was cuddling her so I had moved quickly to get a towel and she had eaten it by the time I looked back. I thought it was a mucus plug. Since then she's been needy and chirpy and alternating between following me around and nesting in a box. She is licking her vagina a lot. However, it's been over 12 hours with no sign of anything else coming out. She's been laying with me for the last 4 hours. I'm worried it was a miscarriage, but she is still licking and meowing. Her nipples have dried discharge on them. I can feel her uterus and get sides still stick out a bit.

This is her first litter.

She is also really tiny, I was expecting only one or two kittens.

I'm not sure if it was a false labor (but the something that came out?) or what.

Click to expand...

My vet is insisting they won't give out any advice over the phone.
She's not in active labor, just licking a lot. She's following me around everywhere and meowing all the time. She's acting fairly happy. I'm assuming this is just the normal pre labor stuff and hopefully she has a kitten soon. The worry is killing me.

caliban said:

My vet is insisting they won't give out any advice over the phone.
She's not in active labor, just licking a lot. She's following me around everywhere and meowing all the time. She's acting fairly happy. I'm assuming this is just the normal pre labor stuff and hopefully she has a kitten soon. The worry is killing me.

Click to expand...

Ok, so it sounds normal, just to be vigilant, but wait calmly.   Observe also, if you act nervous, she will too get nervous, so for her good, you must embrace yourself and calm down.  Take some deep breaths!

That's going to be the hardest part, haha.

How is she doing?

She keeps jumping in and out of her nest box and sitting on my lap. I think she is a bit confused on what is happening.

Poor girl!

 Sending prayers and vibes that your cat has an easy delivery and healthy kittens, soon! Thank God that you are there with her - new moms can be so insecure and confused - pets as well as humans!  I once, decades ago before the era of spaying small animals such as cats and dogs, had a young cat that would only get into her birthing box if I would toss my slipper into it!  One at a time, she had 4 kittens and after each delivery, she'd hop out of the box and I'd have to pick up the slipper and toss it in again, whereupon she would go back into the box and lick the newest baby. She didn't even want to eat the afterbirth but in the end, all went well and the kittens grew up healthy and confident. 

Well nothing yet. She was furiously nesting all last night, and hasn't left her box today, but nothing has happened. She ate a whole bunch, though. She's got a vet appointment, I'm hoping the kids come tonight.

Keep us posted ease! I'm super stoked for you! Can't wait to see the kittens!