Patiently Waiting For Kittens

[thisbemeh]

Almost 3 weeks ago I took in a pregnant cat. She had appeared at a lady's house 6 weeks prior. The lady gained her trust and noticed she was pregnant. She was unable to care for mama cat, so I offered to take her in. She is the friendliest and sweetest girl! My mom took her to the vet for me 2 weeks ago from yesterday. The vet estimated she would have her kittens within 2 weeks. Well 2 weeks has passed and here we are with no kittens! The only possible signs I've noticed is she has had diarrhea once a day a couple of times this week. The vet said on Thursday that could surely mean her kittens are on their way any day now. She has not had any today. However I've noticed she keeps laying in a certain spot and is not as adamant to get up when we go visit her. She will get up at her own pace if she feels like it. She is secluded from my other pets right now as per the vet so my cat and dog do not stress her out. I have a baby monitor on her in the room in case she starts meowing and I can't hear her (we have a hard time hearing anything going on upstairs while downstairs). She is still eating steadily. Her appetite last week was a lot more than this week, but I don't feel as if she's slowing down enough to tell me they are coming soon. The only hints I've had are the diarrhea from possible mild contractions and the kittens shifting and also her laying in the same spot more. Anyone else with similar experiences? I'm patiently waiting! Any input is welcome!

Also I would like to add mama will be spayed after her kittens when vet says she is ready. Her kittens will be spayed and neutered as well. I'm happy to say I have a few good homes already lined up depending how many she has!

 

[kashmir64]

I have no experience with a pregnant cat. However, unless she's been pushing for a long time without anything coming out, I would just wait.
Hopefully, someone with experience will be on shortly.

 

[Sarthur2]

It sounds like she is very close. As mentioned, if she is not in distress, all you can do is wait.

Without an x-ray or ultrasound, vets really cannot tell how close a cat is to delivery. She is having classic end of pregnancy symptoms.

Here are some helpful links:

How Do I Know When My Cat Will Give Birth?

Pregnant Cat? What To Prepare For The Birth

Help! My Cat Is Having Kittens!

How is she doing now?

 

[ChCarr]

Any update? I'm kind of in the same boat.

 

[thisbemeh]

Still patiently waiting. Mama seems to have quite the appetite between last night and this morning. She's either eating, laying in the window or laying in the area we have set up for her in hopes she will have her kittens there. No more diarrhea since Thursday I believe. She continues to get bigger by the day. Hopefully not too much longer! 3 weeks ago today is when I took her in. I was guessing then she was around 6 weeks pregnant which would make her around 9 weeks today. Just a guess though based on how small she was at the time but clearly had a bulge in her belly letting me know there are definitely kittens in there. I also started feeling kitten movement 2 weeks ago this past thursday and from what I read you can feel them around 7 weeks. I'll keep you updated!

 

[thisbemeh]

Here is mama cat a week ago! She has grown quite a bit in size since this picture. She came to up pretty skinny.

 

[Sarthur2]

She's getting there!

 

[thisbemeh]

I can't wait!! I have experienced pregnancy and birth with a dog, mice and myself twice. Never with a cat! I'm anxious to see what colors her kittens will be since I have no idea what cat she mated with!

 

[Sarthur2]

It's very exciting to see the colors and markings on the kittens!

 

[thisbemeh]

Update: Mama is producing milk now!! Kittens should be here any time in the next 2 days from what I've read based on this!

 

[Sarthur2]

Milk can come in up to a week early. My cat leaked milk for several days before she had her kittens. It could be 2 days though!

 

[thisbemeh]

She just had her first kitten!

 

[EggSandwich]

Awesome! Be sure to share photos! Is she having anymore? What's going on now?

 

[thisbemeh]

First kitten. First kitten has successfully fed from mama already. She delivered her placenta so waiting to see if there is more.

 

[thisbemeh]

Second kitten is here! I can feel more moving around in her belly! I'll post more pics once they are all here!

 

[Sarthur2]

Right on time! No more waiting.

Hope all is well thus far!

 

[thisbemeh]

We have 4, but I'm pretty sure I felt another inside!

 

[thisbemeh]

 

[ashade1]

How exciting! Has momma had any more?

 

[thisbemeh]

No, she hasn't had any more. It was weird because after having the fourth one both my mom and I felt what felt like a bony leg/foot or head. We would feel it then we wouldn't. This happened a couple of times. My mom read that it could be her bladder or uterus. Maybe that's what it was. Her appetite came back full force last night and she is all about me loving on her. She was funny last night. Her kittens were all nursing and I rubbed my hand down her back and she rolled right onto her back so I could rub her belly. I will keep you updated if she surprises us with another! If not I'm guessing what we felt was her uterus or bladder.