how much longer will foey deliver?

Question
I notice my cat being pregnant at the end of march. now she's very hugh in her tummy and her nipples have gotten hugh. Also i notice the past 3 days her stomach became 10times bigger and her nipples are very swollen and now the are leaking milk or liquid with the nipples are touch. it just seems like shes been pregnant for a month and a half or longer.could you tell me maybe how many more days can i expect her to deliver? I am just a busy all the time and i don't want to miss out. plus she is still eating and drinking and acting totally normal still. i know she has alot of kittens in her belly cause before i felt flutters now i move glide movements. and they feel like they are a nice size. thank you

Answer
Christina,

I cannot tell you exactly when she will give birth as every queen does it a little differently.  Here are some guidelines:

Anywhere from a week before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, she will get her milk in.  In this time frame she may also have a mucous/bloody discharge. (Although these events may start at different times during this time frame).

Anywhere from a few days before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, she may exhibit nesting behavior and restlessness.  Also, in this time frame her kittens will form hard knots and begin to move backward and downward in her abdomen.  This is really the very early stages of labor. (Although these events may start at different times during this time frame).

Anywhere from a few hours before birth up until the onset of birth or anywhere in between, her water may break and she will have what are called positioning contractions where she begins to get the kittens in line for birth.

You will know hard labor when you see it.  Once she starts her birthing contractions, it is usually about an hour before the first kitten is all the way out.  About 50% of the kittens are breech, so although it is a bit tougher, it is normal for the first kitten to be breech.  

A couple of things you want to have handy are a roll of paper towels, a bottle of isopropyl alcohol, scissors (in case you have to cut the cords), and a soft face cloth to clean the kitten's face if mama does not do it immediately.

I like to use a "jumbo" cardboard storage chest (10" X 16" X 26") as a birthing box.  Put some old sheeting or toweling in side.  Put it somewhere you can easily get to, in a warm spot away from drafts, and away from young children and other pets.  You can half cover it with a towel, so it seems more den like.  

Make sure your vet knows what is going on, so, in case she has trouble, you have arrangements about what you must do.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Best regards... Norm.