Cat Pregnancy question

We took in a pregnant stray about 2.5 weeks ago. She was already showing at
that point. When I put my hand on her tummy I could feel the kittens moving
slightly  (even two weeks ago.)
Now when I rest my hand on her belly they are moving like crazy. they are
very strong and very active. I can even see them moving most of the time,
although it is hard at points because mommy is a long haired cat.
she is very healthy looking. She is a large cat (large not fat)
She is eating Purina kitten food at the moment as well as wet food once a day
and has no problem eating either.
She drinks plenty of water and cleans herself regularly.
I am trying to figure out how far she might be from delivering so that I can
be here in case there are any problems.
3 mornings ago I squeezed her nipples and clear fluid came out of all of
them. They feel much more swollen than when we first found her and brought
her in.
We have been taking her temperature as suggested by many websites and it
has been anywhere from 99.4-100 degrees. This morning is was 99.5
She has been very sleepy and affectionate and cries for me when I leave the
room.
What do you think? might she be delivering here soon?

[Mrs_Savas]

Yes, she sounds like she might be getting ready!

I have taken in several pregnant females who were abandoned (strays but not feral).  So, I will give you a few tips, based on what my experiences have been.  Please feel free to ask more question or to send me a message, if you like.  If I leave something out (there are lots of details) just ask.

OK, first fix her a box or some kind of hidden away spot, preferably in a dark, quiet corner.  One of mine loved a box tucked away in the back of the closet, another one liked a partially closed bottom dresser drawer.  The best thing is to let her "find" it herself, so she feels like she has found a secret, safe place for her babies.  Be aware that she will make a mess giving birth (blood, mucus, afterbirth) so line her box with something you can throw away (old towels or sheets) and have something else clean and soft on hand to replace it with when she's done.

Look for her to start seeming uncomfortable when lying down.  She will likely get gassy and possibly constipated as the kitten press on her stomach.  Often they will purr very loudly, but not really seem happy - more like confused and distracted.

As the time nears, she may want you around always, like now, or she may start to isolate.  Either way is fine.  I've had mommy cats give birth alone and I've had them want their paw held throughout the process - extreme neediness or extreme antisocial feelings or anything in between is perfectly normal.  Take your cue from her.

I guess you don't know if this is her first litter?  If it is she may be more insecure and scared than if she has been through it before.  

People talk as if the reactions of a cat while pregnant and giving birth are always the same, but I have found them to be very individual.  I wish I could tell you exactly how to act with her, but she will have to do that.

When she starts dilating, you will see (and feel, if you want to) wetness under her tail.  When she starts to get wet back there, then you know it'll be pretty soon.  This can start the day before or you might not notice it until pretty much right before she begins.  

The next thing to look for is a sort of bubble coming out back there.  When you see this, she will be giving birth to her first kitten very soon.  Be aware that, even if she wants you near, the stress of actually pushing the baby out will cause her to scream and possibly even bite.  The biting is unusual, but not unheard of.  I don't let the possibility keep me from being with her if she wants me, but I do keep my hands away from her mouth at the peak moment!

After the bubble forms, you will see her start to have contractions.  Her sides will contract and ripple and she will want to push.  Sometimes they find it helpful for you to give them the palm of your hand to place their back feet against while pushing.  

After the first birth, the rest may come pretty quickly, or it can be hours between birth.  I had one mommy who had a baby one day and the rest of her litter the next day.  However, if the next baby isn't born by, say, 12 hours later at the outside then she needs to go to a vet immediately.  You should have a vet alerted to the situation and line up an all night emergency vet just in case.  In my experience, cats give birth late at night and on weekends - times when vets are close.  Just to worry you!  Have a carrier lined with soft fabrics ready, just in case.  Take along any kittens that are already born.  Put them in with her if she wants them.  Make very sure they are kept warm.

If she is giving birth and a baby gets stuck partway out, or she seems to lose strength to push - off to the vet.

If she doesn't pass a complete afterbirth each time, then she needs the vet.  She will eat some afterbirth, but not all of it.  Don't panic if you don't see a complete afterbirth each time.  It is attached to the umbilical and should slip out.  Clean away what she doesn't and watch to be sure the next baby is born cleanly.  If so, she has passed the previous afterbirth.

If she seems to be in undue distress that doesn't go away with the birth of the next kitten - or no next kitten comes - she will need the vet.

After the birth of each kitten, she should start purring loudly and cleaning it.  The kitten needs its face cleaned so that it can start to breathe.  If she doesn't do it right away and it doesn't seem to be breathing you can try to gently clear its nose and face with a warm, damp cloth.  

If she doesn't nurse her babies, contact a vet right away for instructions and supplies so that you can hand nurse them.  Or you can have this done beforehand, just in case.  For what it's worth, Ive never had this problem.  I have hand reared newborns found alone, but never had a mommy not nurse.  It can happen, though, especially with a young, confuse mother.  

Sometimes she won't know what to do right away, but will figure it out fast, so don't panic if she walks away from a baby or ignores it.  Until her litter is born, her behavior may be a bit erratic.  Just make sure they are in the box with her and warm (don't let a wet, just born kitten get cold).  She should be able to work it out.

I once had a very young mommy drop her first kitten in the litter box.  I think she thought she was going to the bathroom.  But after I frantically cleaned it off and put it in the box with her, she cared for it just fine.  So.... be ready for the unpredictable!

A day or so after the whole litter is born and everything is going well, she should be checked by a vet.  You need to make sure that everything is passed and she is ok.  Sometimes you don't know about a retained placenta until she gets sick and then it can be too late.  And you need to be sure she has birthed all her kittens.  Also, you can make an appointment at that time, to have her spayed!

KMR stage one milk replace, available at pet stores, makes a great dietary supplement for pregnant female cats (they are called queens, by the way).  She'll love the taste and she can use the additional nutrition and calories.  Make sure she gets lots of fluids - bowl of water and canned food along with dry (which is a good idea at all times, anyway).  While she nurses, she will be ravenous all the time and will probably lose weight.  This is normal.

OK, this has been somewhat of a "stream of consciousness" answer!  I hope some of it will help.  I will come back with anything else I think of.  

Let me know how it is going, ok?