The birth of a kitten may seem normal, but it is a process full of risks. Only when this unusual process is successfully passed can a new life be born safely. As a cat owner, you must understand the process of giving birth and how to assist the birth, otherwise not only the kitten is at risk, but also the mother cat. The birthing process As the due date approaches, the pregnant female cat usually becomes more and more agitated. This is usually manifested by frequent pawing of the litter box, constantly entering and leaving the litter box, and licking her pussy and nipples. The “mother-to-be” will also often look at the slightly contracted belly caused by the movements of the kitten inside. As the mother cat begins to contract, her body will assume the position shown in the picture, with her hind legs bowed to facilitate outward pressure during labor. Some female cats will also lie down on their side with their hind legs straightened with each contraction. The water breaks in the female cat and the mucus plug is expelled. This process is not easily noticed as the mother cat will quickly lick her pussy. Long-haired cats will often get wet at the buttocks due to fluid flowing from the vagina or licking. At this point, it is likely that the first kitten is still a few hours away from being born. Fetal blisters As birth approaches, we gradually see faintly the kitten’s head leaking out of the vaginal opening, sometimes in front of the head are fetal blisters. The fetal vesicle is part of the amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid. If the kitten is first to emerge, the kitten’s mouth and nose will be seen first, and occasionally the front feet. In the photo below, the kitten’s face can be clearly seen through the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac The amniotic sac may be intact and unbroken when the kitten is born, or it may rupture due to squeezing or friction during birth or licking by the mother cat. The kitten’s head just squeezes through the vulva and causes the amniotic sac to rupture. The non-stop contractions of the mother cat giving birth to the kitten’s head allow the entire head of the kitten to pass through the birth canal. It is normal to have a short pause at this point in the birthing process. The mother cat may lick, stand, walk or change position or location before continuing to give birth. Note 1. Be sure to keep it quiet and dark during delivery to prevent the cat from being overly nervous and causing a difficult delivery. When observing the pregnant cat, if it is found that the water has broken for 15 to 24 hours and the fetus is still not output, or if the fetus has been exposed to the pubic door for 5 minutes and still cannot be fully output, it means that the mother cat is in difficult labor and should be assisted, and if necessary, consider a caesarean section. 2. During labor, be sure to count the number of placentas, which are usually discharged immediately after the fetus is output and eaten by the mother cat. If the placenta does not remain, the consequences are serious, and if not found and treated in time, it may become infected, corrupt, and even endanger the life of the mother cat. 3. When the mother cat gives birth, there will be a small amount of bleeding, and if there is bright red excrement coming out of the pubic door at the end of the delivery, it indicates that the birth canal will bleed profusely, at which time the vagina should be plugged with more skim cotton and sent to the vet hospital (or veterinary station) for treatment.
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