How close are we to delivery?

This is my first cat ever to have kittens and I have been reading this website daily! However, I have forgotten a lot of what I read and I am finding out that Ethel is farther along in her pregnancy than I originally thought! I have been able to feel the kittens (I think there are 2 or 3) kick for the last 2 days. Tonight when we were laying in bed I reached down to pet her and she is lactating! I then sat up to watch her tummy and the kittens are doing jumping jacks! It's actually pretty funny because Ethel gets irritated when they get going and just glares at her tummy! So anyway, the bottom line is how close to delivery are we?

Also, it seems from the other deliveries that I have read about the momma cat usually lets you know when it's time, could she also just go have them and let you know when she's done? I have a Mary Kay conference this weekend and I am terrified that she is going to have them while I'm gone and my husband will have no clue!

Most deliveries happen with no difficulties, so as long as you have her set up with a delivery nest and she is happy with it, the chances are good that you won't have any problems. It may still be a while yet before she has them as some cats can begin lactating as much as two weeks before delivery. The babies do tend to get a little more active in utero towards the end-stage of pregnancy, but individuals do vary.

It would probably be a good idea to have a couple of "kitten drills" with your husband in case you are away when she delivers ... go over the signs of labor and delivery with your husband, make sure he has the number of the nearest emergency vet in the event of problems, and make sure he can and will assist if he needs to. Breaking open the sac, cutting the cord and disposing the placenta should all be things he knows how to do and will not object to doing if he needs to. Additionally, he should know how to check the babies to make sure they are all nursing properly. He should know to keep them warm and out of the normal traffic patterns of your home. If you have small children or other pets, make sure he won't allow them access to the Momma and/or her babies.

You will probably be OK ... go and enjoy the conference without worry. As someone very wise once told me, don't borrow trouble. It can find you well enough all on it's own.

Usually if you can get a bit of milk from her they will be born within 48 hrs (at least my rexes were pretty accurate that way)

You should have little kitties by Wednesday this week.

Oh Lord! I am not ready! I am terrified! We are having some plumbing work done where they are going to have to jackhammer through the floor. I had to clean out my closet so that she would be way far from any noise but if she has them sooner I can delay the work (I hope!) She has been getting in and out of her "nest" although she waits for someone to come by so that she can attack them! I have to work for a few hours in the morning and had already decided to keep her in my room so that the other animals won't bother her.

Wish me luck!!!

so did she have any yet or are you still waiting?

Still waiting...she's in good spirits and can only lay on her side and lays down with me on the bed when I lay down. She still climbs to the highest shelf she can get to. I haven't discovered any more "wet" nipples but she does have what seems to be dry milk on the very tips as it flakes off.

We are really enjoying feeling and seeing the kittens move and it is quite the experience for my boys. I told them to enjoy the experience as it is going to be a one time thing!

Originally Posted by LisaB917

Still waiting...she's in good spirits and can only lay on her side and lays down with me on the bed when I lay down. She still climbs to the highest shelf she can get to. I haven't discovered any more "wet" nipples but she does have what seems to be dry milk on the very tips as it flakes off.

We are really enjoying feeling and seeing the kittens move and it is quite the experience for my boys. I told them to enjoy the experience as it is going to be a one time thing!

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Lisa...well....if you enjoy the experience..you could always foster a pregnant cat for a rescue group or shelter. Just an idea.

Katie

Katie,
How does that work and who would I contact? Just the animal shelter or are there other places that I could contact? Also, what happens to the kittens afterwards? Are they just sent back to the shelter or what?

I had always wanted to raise a guide dog but my husband is afraid that I couldn't give it up! But with 2 dogs, one 100 pounds and deaf, 2 cats, and 2 boys, I was told that this was the perfect environment!

Thanks!

From what you describe, the kittens will probably be here in about a week, give or take a few days.

Usually the birth process goes smoothly and the mother cat doesn't need any help. But you definitely should look up the address, phone number, and directions to the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic and have this on hand just in case. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and be frantically looking up the information in the middle of the night.

Definitely, if you enjoy this experience you should contact the local shelter or a rescue group and ask about fostering pregnant/nursing cats and their kittens. It's a way to get a "kitten fix" and give these cats a chance that they otherwise wouldn't have. It's a great win-win situation.