Hi there me and my partner recently rescued a stray kitten she is around ten months old we think and all we know is that she was found in a barn. So we decided to adopt her when we had her she was a bit fat but we put this down to what she had or had not been eating and also possilbly worms. Took her to the vets for a check up and it turns out that he thinks she is pregnant they offered to do an ultrasound but I have not got the money to pay for one so we decided not too as it was expensive. The problem is we are unsure of when she is due she is very big all her nipples are sticking out a lot and I think we can feel milk building up underneath them. She is really friendly purrs loudly a lot and is constantly sleeping but still eating loads. She has been hiding under my childrens beds a lot and scratching at bits of paper and clothing. My partner has felt very active movements in her belly for the last three weeks now and she follows my partner around a lot and goes to sleep on her every moment she can. We have got everything ready for the arrivals but just wanted some advice as to wether she was nearly ready to go into labor or not.

How long have you had her and when did the vets see her?

You can usually feel the kittens moving from about 7weeks and cats carry kittens for an average of 65 days, so I'd guess that she is ready to give birth any minute.

The milk also starts building up a couple of days before birth, so how long have you been able to feel that?

Personally, I'd keep a VERY close eye on her from now on!

You may notice that she stops eating before she gives birth, and starts to exhibit some nesting behaviours. It does sound as is she is imminent due to her mammary development!

Have you got a spare room, or somewhere quite where you could supply a nesting area etc?

Hiya Im very sorry but if you cant afford a £40 ultrasound, how will you afford a £700 emerge c-section and rasing a litter of kittens, vac thewm all worming them all, fodd & litter costs a day...mum will eat 4 times the amount that she eats now, the cost is that you wont break even, you will go right over.

Can you contact a local fosterer that can help you out, esp if she is young there is more chance that she will reject the litter, leaving you to hand raise which is not fun and costs alot of money.

I know that you are doing a good thing, but you also have to buy in birthing items, which are going to cost alot more than a ultrasound to, its a very time consuming costly thing to do having a litter.

good luck, hope you get some help and advice, remember that pdsa/etc wont help as they do not beleive in breeding.

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Hi Taylorbaby the only reason we cannot afford an ultrasound at the moment is that our Labrador has been very poorly and has had to have lots of tests this month which has cost us a lot of money so that is why and he is insured but it was a new policy and they are trying to wrangle out of paying any of his vets bills so we are having to pay them ourselves. For an ultrasound we were told it would cost £85 so if anyone knows of anywhere cheaper in powys then please let me know our vets are very expensive!!! we have everything ready and the kittens have got homes already the vet thought he could feel at least four. We know someone that works in a rehoming centre and they have leant us what we need and given us advice on what to do if she needs help during delivery. I was only looking for advice for when she was due as I keep reading that they stop eating when due but her appetite keeps getting bigger she is on kitten food. We have noticed milk building up over the last three days slowly so we will just keep an eye on her she has a peaceful area that she goes in and has been doing this for the last few days now so will just have to wait and see!

My girl was eating right up until about 10 minutes before she delivered her first kitten! So that's not always the best indicator. I'd say the milk build up is very telling. I wouldn't be surprised if you log on in the morning saying she's had them.

Keep your eyes open for her mucus plug. It's like a bloody, gloopy discharge which unplugs the opening to her uterus before labour. It shouldn't smell at all and she may manage to clear it up before you spot. Once you see this, delivery can be anything from 20 minutes to 48 hours...

Thanks Dozymoo for the advice she is with my partner at the moment lying on her knee purring away whilst having a belly rub lol will keep you posted if anything happens

thats good as you needa lot of stuff, its like bringin a new baby home!

Mine eat up until and during and after giving birth! just make sure she has 24/7 acccess to as much food as she can literally eat!

Vets can be good at predicting kittens...however dont go by this as accurate as 3 vets told me 'your girl is NOT in kitten no way she has a infection!' she went on to have 6kittens 2weeks later!!

Then another said 'she is 100% in kitten' with 2...she never was lol!!

milk can show before the birth alot comes in after, try and get the expereinced person there when she gives birth, and watch vids and learn how to reviive a kitten as some look still and you think they are dead on birth but they arent, then the cords if mum doesnt do it etc

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