The Strange Stray

Question
My family and I adopted a stray cat about a month ago.  She suddenly showed up around our home about two months ago, mewing and begging for food.  So we eventually took her in.  She's slowly becoming more comfortable in our house, but we noticed ever since we met her she is extremely affectionate and eats a lo.  I started having the thought, "what if she's pregnant?"  She does seem plump around the lower area and meows loudly when we pick her up with our hands on her stomach.  Like I said, she eats a lot, especially now that she has a bowl to eat from.  I haven't seen any "nesting" yet and I haven't been able to check her nipples (her hair dark on her belly) We're not able to get her an appointment yet, but I was wondering if it sounds like she might be pregnant.

Answer
Stephanie,

Yes, the nipples may tell you, but that would not be until about a week before she is due to have kittens, whenever that would be.

If you can catch her, take her into a veterinarian and have him check her out.  If she is far enough along, the vet can ultrasound her to check for kittens.

On the surface, I would assume she IS pregnant and take care of her with that thought in mind.

Here is the problem.  Every queen seems to want to do it a little  differently, so the best I can do is give you some guidelines about how to tell when she may be due (I will also assume you are bringing her inside for this):

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.