How many kittens?

Copying Heidi's post, I am just wondering how many kittens you think Softie will have? I know she is definately having at least three, as I can feel three for sure when I feel her belly gently... That's just the ones on the sides though. My family thinks 82!! I'm not quite that crazy, I think she has got quite a few in there from the looks of it though.
Please just have fun with this, as I know not all of you agree with barn cats, but please be nice and have fun.
Thanks.
I hope the pictures work, as I've never posted pics before!
Do you guys think she's pretty big? I do, but I'm not experienced with pregnant cats, I've only ever had males before! She should have them soon, right?
Okay, so the pics won't show up, it says they are too big(too many MBs). How do I make them smaller??

Oh well, how about this? Check them out on webshots!
http://community.webshots.com/album/136471819kmUmFL
What do you think?

I would say 6-8! She is huge! Do you know when she is due?

Originally Posted by Crazy-Cat-Lover

I would say 6-8! She is huge! Do you know when she is due?

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I think she is HUGE as well!!
I'm not sure when she is due. I have only had her for about 2 weeks, and she has been getting bigger every day. I can't imagine her being far from due! I'd sure be popping those things out if I were her! I'm sure she feels like it too

I'm going to guess 6 myself (I'm no expert either, Lola is only the second pregnant cat I've ever seen in person). In my amateur opinion, it looks like the babies are making their way toward the birth canal (Lola's kits are still hanging out near her ribs) so I wouldn't be surprised if you see kittens before me! I'm so jealous I'll have to go in and have a little pep talk with Lola to see if we can't get those kittens to hurry up a bit

~Heidi

Originally Posted by JustPlainHeidi

I'm going to guess 6 myself (I'm no expert either, Lola is only the second pregnant cat I've ever seen in person). In my amateur opinion, it looks like the babies have dropped (ie are making their way toward the birth canal... Lola's kits are still hanging out near her ribs) so I wouldn't be surprised if you see kittens before me! I'm so jealous I'll have to go in and have a little pep talk with Lola to see if we can't get those kittens to hurry up a bit

~Heidi

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I was wondering about that. I didn't know if cats did "drop" their kittens or if they were just kinda in place all along. I have only been able to feel the babies for a few days. I have been trying to see if I could feel them since I got her, and only the last 3 or 4 days have I been able to.

I've gone to a few different sources to find as many signs of impending labor as I could. They are as follows:

Nesting. She may start snooping around in closets and secluded areas for an appropriate place to bear her kittens. The time is ripe for you to prepare an area for her in a private place, with a box or basket lined with soft towels. She may decide instead to give birth on the cold, hard floor of your bathroom, but at least you have tried to accomodate her needs.

Increased affection. She may suddenly become very loving, and want to be near you at all times. Don't be surprised though, if a previously affectionate cat becomes withdrawn and seeks solitude. Either personality change may be completely normal.

Decreased Activity. Queenie may decide she'd rather sleep most of the time. She may also lose interest in food.

Milk Discharge from Nipples. Your cat's nipples will have become enlarged and pink about the third week of pregnancy; 24 hours or so before birth, she may show a milky discharge. This discharge may come even earlier in cats that have given birth several times.

Drop in Temperature. The normal temperature in cats is between 100.4°F and 102.5° F. A dramatic drop in her rectal temperature is a sure indicator that birth is imminent.

Nervousness and panting

Slight mucous-y vaginal discharge. The Queen may spend more time licking/cleaning her genital area.

Signs of discomfort - repeated squinting, grimaces, pulling back of facial whiskers.

Honestly with the stray I took in last August, the only sign I had of the impending litter was the shredding of the newspaper in the nesting boxes. Unfortunately I didn't pay much attention to this clue and went to sleep long enough to miss the birth of the first two kittens. Live and learn I suppose.

Hope this helps!

~Heidi

Oh and to answer your question about dropping...I found this on a website about kittening..."The kittens will "drop" about 12-24 hours before labor starts and this dropping is the result of a relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and the abdominal musculature." If you took those photos on the 16th of April, chances are the kittens hadn't really "dropped" in those pictures, she's just carrying them differently than my Lola.

Hope somebody with some more experience can share their expertise here!

~Heidi

Well.. She did seem to be a little skittish tonight, and didn't come as usual for dinner... I tried taking her temperature, but she didn't want anything to do with that, lol, I don't blame her though, she's never had it done before. She doesn't have any milk yet, but I will keep an eye out, as she is not a maiden cat, so she should have it a few days before then I guess...

Originally Posted by JustPlainHeidi

Oh and to answer your question about dropping...I found this on a website about kittening..."The kittens will "drop" about 12-24 hours before labor starts and this dropping is the result of a relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and the abdominal musculature." If you took those photos on the 16th of April, chances are the kittens haven't really "dropped", she's just carrying them differently than my Lola.

~Heidi

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Good to know. They definately have changed position since I got her, and have dropped farther down, but I guess not the "official" dropping