There are various stages to a cats labor, just as there are with humans. The most important thing is to be knowledgeable and prepared.
To be prepared there are a few things that you should have a head of time:
1. A kittening box, laundry basket, or a simple cardboard box.
2. A few pairs of sterile surgical gloves
3. An Eyedropper or syringe
4. Dental Floss
5. An Antiseptic
6. Scissors
7. Q-tips
8. Clean Towels
9. Your Vets emergency Number
10. Kitten Milk Replacer
Getting Your Queen Prepared For Labor
A few days ahead of time, your Queen will begin looking for a place to nest. Or you can find a quiet and secluded room for her to nest, and than prep that area. The most important thing is that it is a quiet, and calming place that your queen can relax in.
You will begin to notice a change in her body temperature. Just as human mothers do, she also will begin to produce milk. You will also find that her behavior has changed. She will become more affectionate and vocal, wanting your attention, and to be petted, and rubbed. This is a very good sign, and actually increases her relaxation, and ability to birth and produce milk for her kittens.
Your Queens Onset of Labor
Closer to her first stage of labor, she will begin to show signs of restlessness, and begin pacing. One the onset of labor has begun she will start to lick her genitalia.
Placing her food, water, and liter box in the same area will also be helpful, and allow her to break in between if need be, and not be too far away from her kittens.
Another good idea would be to encourage her to sleep in the nesting box, prior to labor, so that she will become comfortable with her space.
When the Queen goes into labor a clear liquid will rupture, and the contractions will continue. Followed by this the Queen will begin to give birth, usually within one hour or less. The kittens will be born in a sac that the mother will lick and eat off. She will lick she face of the kittens, which will encourage their breathing.
If your Queen does not eat the umbilical cord you can use the dental flow to do so, and clean with antiseptic. An eyedropper or syringe can be used to clear breathing airways if Queen does not do so by licking.
When the labor has subsided, she will continue to clean the kittens, bring them close to her and nurse them.
If she does not, use the milk replacement, and begin to nurse the kitten, holding he or she in a warm blanket, keeping them warm at all times.
Interrupted Labor
Often times, if the queen is distracted she may go into Interrupted labor. This can last for a few hours, or even a day or two. This is also possible if the Queen has become pregnant at different times. But do not worry. Allow her to eat, and rest and labor will continue naturally. If you see things that are out of the ordinary such as severe, bright red bleeding, black discharge, or stage one labor that last for more than an hour, call your vets emergency number.
My Queen had went into labor early in the morning , and had one kitten t five a.m. At 12p.m. , I grew concerned and called the vet. They told me that they could give her Oxytocin to induce her labor and that it would cost about 60.00, if she did not have the others by two p.m. I am a freelance content producer, I don’t have an extra 60.00 just laying around (smile). OK, I have had thee children , I thought to my self, what are ways to holistically increase ones natural Oxytocin levels. Simply rubbing and patting your Queen, she will begin to purr loudly, and breathe heavier. This worked and within an hour, she had given birth to her other three kittens.
Your Queen will spend the next few days, getting comfortable with motherhood.
