For those of us that are waiting....

So how is everyone and their pregnant mommas?

I think Sneakers is entering the first stage of labor, but as we all know, they often confuse us. She had a small amount of bloody mucusy discharge this evening, and she is meowing constantly for me to be near her. She can't get comfortable. From what I remember from other posts on here, this can go on for a few days... so I am not sure exactly how close she is.

oh sounds like 2 of them are so close! I work late tonight so can check in LATE LATE LATE. LOL

Originally Posted by lil'misskisses

Thanks, i thought it would be a nice place to keep each other up to date.

Well Boo is acting a bit strange. She is pacing around the place. she will come and plonk herself down beside me then after a few mins get up and go off again. She is rubbing herself on me.

When she lies down i have noticed her flexing her back legs a few times.

Come on Boo.....you can do it

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It sounds like she's in labor. When she gets up, check her sides. See if a hard lump rises up, stays for a few seconds and then goes down. Every time she has a contraction she will turn over or get up. She'll probably have them by tonight or early morning.
The kittens moving furiously is another sign she's about to have a contraction. Notice that they will move like crazy right before she gets up or turns over.
Im officially on kitten watch myself. I have one queen who I think is in early labor now and another queen who is due in 5 days. It will be a loooong week!

Hey, bengalbabe... it sounds like you're very experienced in these sort of things. I know you have a couple of mothers to tend to yourself, but do you mind keeping an eye on this thread for those of us who haven't done this before? (Like I think all three of us... )

Sneakers is restless and howling if I am not there. She also has a slightly bloody (makes it pink) discharge. I have class tomorrow from 10-1, so I am very nervous she'll have them when I am away from home! What do you think?

Originally Posted by Godiva

Hey, bengalbabe... it sounds like you're very experienced in these sort of things. I know you have a couple of mothers to tend to yourself, but do you mind keeping an eye on this thread for those of us who haven't done this before? (Like I think all three of us... )

Sneakers is restless and howling if I am not there. She also has a slightly bloody (makes it pink) discharge. I have class tomorrow from 10-1, so I am very nervous she'll have them when I am away from home!

What do you think?

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None of mine have had discharge before actual pushing labor, but some cats do and if she is howling and won't let you leave her sight, she is most likely close. Most cats have kittens at night so if she's close she will probably have them tonight or hold off untill tomorrow night. Some cats hold off untill the owners are around. If she's very attached to you she might wait untill your there. One of my queens will follow me around when she is in early labor to make sure im there when she has her kittens.
Sure, i'll check this thread from time to time to see whats going on. It looks like my cats are in early labor too but it's nearly 100 degrees in this house because my air conditionor decided to break a few days ago, so they might just be hot and uncomfortable. They act a bit uncomfortable but I don't see many strong contractions to speak of. Of course im hoping it's not the heat and it's actually labor! I hate waiting.

It's just going to be an explosion of kittens! LOL

When your queens were first time mothers, did they have any problems? Did you have to help them? I hear conflicting advice on what to do... sit there with her the entire time to help if it is her first, or just let her be, even if it only her first litter. I think I'm going to stay with her regardless, but I don't want to mess things up.

Also, were the kittens still in the sac when they delivered, or did it vary? Some sources say that they are delivered in the sac with the placenta, others say the sac and placenta follow the kitten.

For the other grandmas/grandpas-in-waiting on here, here's a good site I found:
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/delivery.html

Originally Posted by Godiva

It's just going to be an explosion of kittens! LOL

When your queens were first time mothers, did they have any problems? Did you have to help them? I hear conflicting advice on what to do... sit there with her the entire time to help if it is her first, or just let her be, even if it only her first litter. I think I'm going to stay with her regardless, but I don't want to mess things up.

Also, were the kittens still in the sac when they delivered, or did it vary? Some sources say that they are delivered in the sac with the placenta, others say the sac and placenta follow the kitten.

For the other grandmas/grandpas-in-waiting on here, here's a good site I found:
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/delivery.html

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First time mothers still have very strong instinct and usually will have no problems. The thing I would watch out for is your cat delivering inside the litterbox and burying the kitten. First time mothers sometimes don't realize they just had a kitten and not a BM. I would stay with her but try not to interfere and give her as much privacy as possible. I have found that the more you interfere, the more nervous the mother gets and the harder it is for her to push the kittens out. Some come out without the sack on and some fully encased in the sack. If you see legs sticking halfway out, don't interfere unless you know for sure the mother is just too tired to push and is giving up. You would be surprised how long a kitten can be stuck halfway out! I've had kitten halfway out for over 1/2 hour and they were fine when finally coming out. It's hard not to panic though. I have to force myself to back away and let momma relax.
The best person for the job is momma cat so try to remain unseen unless she wants you right there.
Once the second kitten comes out, you can handle the first kitten to check it over. That's if your not making momma nervous. I wouldn't handle the kitten untill momma is busy with the second or she will get nervous and worried when you take the kitten away from her.
Of course, if she completely ignores the kitten then you must take it away and remove the membranes, from the face and cut the cord about 1/2 to 1 inch away from the belly and give the kitten a rubdown with a soft cloth to stimulate breathing. Then put the kitten with her on her nipple to get it to nurse. The nursing will stimulate her contractions and make them stronger for the subsequent kittens. Also, feed her the placenta which will help her to contract.

btw-one of my cats is definately in labor, she just had a very strong contraction. it was unmistakeable.
Do any of you see contractions like I described earlier?

Oh, good luck bengalbabe and thanks for your answers!

I have not seen a contraction like you described yet, although I have seen the kittens move up a bit. But these contractions don't seem to bother her and they are very far apart.

Waiting stinks!

Originally Posted by Godiva

Oh, good luck bengalbabe and thanks for your answers!

I have not seen a contraction like you described yet, although I have seen the kittens move up a bit. But these contractions don't seem to bother her and they are very far apart.

Waiting stinks!

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Yeah contractions are different then kitten movement. A contraction will be a large lump. Maybe about 4" long and 3" wide and most of the time shaped like a large kidney bean. It will stay from a few seconds to a minute or more. You can actually time them and see how far apart they are to see how close she is to the pushing stage. You can see the edges of the lump, if that makes sense. Then the lump will start to go down and the edges will soften. Once you see it you'll know what I mean. Most people have no idea they can see cat contractions though. It's just something that I have observed with my cats. Everything I have read says there's no visible outward signs, but there is! Im a very observant person though. i spend hours each day observing my cats so i know whats normal for them and whats not.

Hey I'm now waiting too. We were to the vet, and told our Tabby, has about 1 month left. So we've got some waiting to do. Anyone mind if I wait with you?

Originally Posted by _Daisy_

Hey I'm now waiting too. We were to the vet, and told our Tabby, has about 1 month left. So we've got some waiting to do. Anyone mind if I wait with you?

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Sure!
BTW-it just occured to me that I might be able to get a picture of a contraction. I'll see if i can and if it will show up on a picture.

Originally Posted by bengalbabe

Sure!
BTW-it just occured to me that I might be able to get a picture of a contraction. I'll see if i can and if it will show up on a picture.

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Thanks. And that picture would be great. I'm sure it'd be great to know what to look for when the time comes.

Yes, welcome Daisy! Feel free to offer moral support.

That would be awesome if you post that video, b.babe. Thank you so much!

Originally Posted by Godiva

Yes, welcome Daisy! Feel free to offer moral support.

That would be awesome if you post that video, b.babe. Thank you so much!

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Im waiting on a real strong one. Her contractions are pretty far apart so she probably won't have them tonight. I think she'll probably have the kittens by tomorrow night. She's so hot-poor thing. My other queen is panting because it's so hot in here. Perfect time for my AC to break!

Sneakers IS IN LABOR!!! Ack!

I can see the sac, and she is straining... has been the past fifteen minutes.

I am calling a local ER vet to see what we should do... send positive vibes!!!

godiva---- GL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! maybe you could try to help her out with it by pulling a bit WHEN she pushes. do you have any instand messangers? I have AIM, yahoo and MSN.

Originally Posted by Godiva

Sneakers IS IN LABOR!!! Ack!

I can see the sac, and she is straining... has been the past fifteen minutes.

I am calling a local ER vet to see what we should do... send positive vibes!!!

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Ok try to give her a bit of privacy. She may not be relaxed enough to get the kitten out. If she still is having trouble in about 15 more minutes, take her to the ER vet.
Please try to refrain from interfering for now. My cats have had visable sacs at the opening for more then 1/2 hour with no problems.

Originally Posted by bengalbabe

Ok try to give her a bit of privacy. She may not be relaxed enough to get the kitten out. If she still is having trouble in about 15 more minutes, take her to the ER vet.
Please try to refrain from interfering for now. My cats have had visable sacs at the opening for more then 1/2 hour with no problems.

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Oh, and they can strain off and on for a couple of hours with no problems.

oh god this is always so scarey! Anything yet Godiva????