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Pregnant 9-month old not in labor

16:14:37

Question
I know your answer will be TAKE HER TO A VET, but vet money is unavailable right now for her.  She is 9 months old, was in heat and stayed out for the week of March 12th. She returned pregnant.  She is small in stature, and I believe about 3 weeks ago her water broke after finding a sweater she sleeps on with dried fluid on it. She also had a little tissue protruding from her vaginal opening.  Only for 1 or 2 days during this time did she seem lethargic and not herself. She's feeling back to normal, but after calculating gestation time from the week of March 12th, I do believe she should have delivered by now or at least any minute now.  She is not showing any signs of labor.  She is still eating, although a little less, and is still alert.  However, she is as big as a pack mule and I'm wondering if it's possible for labor not to start at some point?  I wonder if I can wait and watch much longer or if she needs to be rushed into a vet right away?  Today by my count is 65 days gestation.  As I said, we don't have any extra money right now for an emergency visit for her (or for any of us, for that matter!).  Are there signs I could look for to determine if she was in distress, or if she was coming into labor?  I'm just at a loss here.  I realize I may have to help deliver these kittens or that, if and when she does come into labor, that with her small size, her life may be in danger if she is not able to deliver the kittens on her own.  Do you have any advice at all besides telling me to rush her to the vet right now?  Are there any conservative measures I can take for the next few days - conservative meaning less costly but more hands-on from my part?  

Answer
Hi Christina,

It's not time to panic yet. Cats have a gestation period of between 62 and 70 days. She still has time before you start to worry. Wait until day 69 before you start to worry. Write back to me then if she doesn't deliver. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen