pregnant cat & prelabor

Question
my 8 mo old cat, belle, is having kittens soon.  i thought she was due late next week but am not certain.  i've been taking her temp for 3 days & it's been up & down - wednesday 100F, thursday 98.5F & today 100.5F.  what other signs should i be looking for?  i'm having a hard time keeping her indoors - she still wants to hunt, but i'm afraid she'll give birth in the bushes!  i gave her a box with blankets last week and for a few days she slept all day, leading me to think she was going into labor, but now today she won't go in it at all - she seems to prefer roaming around.  how can i better tell when to expect kittens?

Answer
Alyce,

Every cat does birthing differently.  Some have milk come in a week before kittens are due, some at the onset of birth or anywhere in between.  Some have a mucousy/bloody discharge up to a week before kitten birth, and some not until the kittens are ready to come.

Usually a couple of days before birth mama will exhibit nesting behavior and much restlessness, going in and out of her box and in and out of the litter pan.

When she begins true labor, you will know.

What we do is to confine them to one room with their birthing box about a week before kittens are due until the kittens are weaned.  She will need litter pan, water dish, and to eat in this room.  Also, you can try half covering her box with a towel and see if she likes it better.  The birthing box should be in a warm draft free place with no access by other pets or small children.

Please let me know how it goes.

Best regards... Norm.