Questions about my cat giving birth

Question
Hello,

Yesterday morning close to 9am I heard a tiny meow and searching for my cat, I realized she must be in labor.

The first kitten was already out of the fluid sac and was moving around.  It was very cold and still coated with drying fluid, and so I immediately started to help clean the kitten with a towel.  The more I rubbed it the more lively it became, and not too long afterwards she started to lick him clean.

It is now 27 hours later, and I'm not sure if she has anymore inside, but she is showing no evidence what so ever of discomfort.  She was purring and rolling around comfortably no longer contracting around 30 minutes after I noticed the kitten.  

He is extremely tiny and can barely keep himself balanced and latched on to her nipples, and so I was wondering if it is possible for my queen to have one kitten early.

She was a very small cat before her pregnancy - around 6.5-7lbs, but her stomach size led me to believe that she was going to have more.

I've heard of multiple male pregnancies, but are the delivery times more than 24 hours?  So far I've found conflicting information, stating it's not uncommon for deliveries to continue 36 hours later.

What are some of the ways to be sure she only had one?  I'd prefer not to move her to take her to a vet, because she is generally very skittish, and right now is very comfortable and content.

Thank you for your help.

Julie

Answer
Hi Julie.  First off, congratulations on becoming a grandmother!  Your cat having kittens is a very exciting thing, and I'm so happy for you!  

It is VERY normal for a cat to have an extended delivery time.  What you can do to check for any kittens still in there, is to place your hand gently on the distended abdomen.  If it feels quite firm, odds are she still has some more in there.  It's hard to say exactly, but based on the limited amount of info I have (without being able to see the queen) I'd think that she probably went into pre-mature labor and one of her babies popped out, so to speak.  
27 hours later and the kitten is even a little bit keeping himself balanced?  Freaking brilliant!  You've got a strong little guy for a grandson.  Many kittens aren't able to balance for a couple of days... and the nursing queen will edge herself towards her babes.  

As far as examining her thoroughly, you know that the best way to do that is for the vet to examine her.  Cats purr at the best and the worst of times.  They can purr with contentment (as we are used to them doing) and they purr when they are in distress - as in during labor.  What I would recommend aside from lots of love, is to isolate the queen in a room (the room where her newborn is).  That way, if there ARE any more babes to come out, they will be somewhat confined in a room where their mom is.  Anytime an animal is in distress or extreme situations, secluding them into one space is ideal - for monitoring, etc.  Make sure that the new mom has constant access to fresh, clean, cool water, and that she is eating kitten food for the duration of her nursing.

Good luck, and let me know how she is doing!