movement in kittens

Question
Hello, We are awaiting for our Persian cat to have her first litter. She is 51 days along and seems to be doing well.  My question is im not sure if I have felt movement from the kittens yet. If shes do in less than 2 weeks, shouldn't I have felt them move yet?  Shes getting large and I can feel the kittens but no kicking yet. I talked to my vet and she said it was not necessary to see the mom until after they are born. Also for peace of mind at what point is it safe for her to have the kittens early and still thrive. Thank you so much.

Answer
Movement in kittens varies greatly.  It's easier most times to just watch and every once in a while you will see her tummy jump - probably in another 3 or 4 days....Kittens should be viable at 62 days into pregnancy (although I've had friends say they have had kittens survive at 58 days, I would question if they miscounted the breeding or marked the wrong day on the calender).  I wouldn't want a queen to deliver any earlier than that...If I had to schedule a c-section, I would do my best to wait until day 67 or 68, simply because people are sometimes wrong in counting or breeding doesnt' take the first day, or various reasons.  The longer the queen can remain pregnant, the better.  I have girls I never saw their bellies move or I never felt a kitten squirm.  Not much room in the uterine horns to be honest if it's a large litter.  If possible, have your vet show you how to tube feed, and get a can or 2 of KMR to have on hand if she doesn't nurse or doesn't produce enough milk.  Also, a heating pad that is under HALF of the nest is good because kittens dan't maintain their own body heat until they are about 10 days old.  Don't cover the entire nest bottom as they need to be able to get off of the heating pad if they get too warm.  I would put it UNDER the box/nest, or pu several layers of towels/padding over it, so they don't get burned or too warm.  Keep it on the lowest setting.

Let me know if I can help further.