newborn kittens with existing cats

Question
I have three cats; a spayed 1 yr female, a neutered 1 yr male, and an extremely pregnant 1 yr female.  My cats have always gotten along with each other but the male can be a bit rough with play.  He and the spayed female are very large cats in comparison to my "mom to be", but she is definately the head of the household.  When should I allow the other cats to socializee with the kittens? Should I be concerned with the other cats playing too hard, or hunting the kittens? How do I introduce them to each other, or will the mom take care of that?

Answer
Hi Amy, usually the mom will take care of this. When new kittens are born they also smell very strange and the older cats know to stay back and that they are not kittens that they can rough house with. Also mom will be very growly at the other cats coming near her and her new babies.
When she is within a week of being due I would separate her into a quite bedroom where she will not be bothered by the other cats when she is making her nest and getting ready to deliver. She will instinctively know to have her kittens in a safe place. If she does not feel safe in your house she may try to get outside to have them and you don't want that. So give her a safe place. The day after the kittens are born you could let one cat at a time into the room with her and monitor the exchange. I think you will find that they do not want to be near the kittens anymore then mom will want them there!! Mother nature is wonderful and takes care of these things...