{"id":688531,"date":"2025-02-12T15:00:58","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T15:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=688531"},"modified":"2025-02-12T15:21:17","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T15:21:17","slug":"quarantine-kittens-isabel-the-accidental-midwife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/felines-weekly\/quarantine-kittens-isabel-the-accidental-midwife\/","title":{"rendered":"Quarantine Kittens: The Night I Became An Accidental Midwife for Milly (With Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the Wednesday Cats of Catster<\/a>! Every week, we share a story from one of our cat-loving Catsters. This week is about Isabel and her sassy rescue, Milly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Helping Milly bring new life into this world was probably one of the most stressful and beautiful experiences I\u2019ve had in all my years of being a cat owner. And having 5 adorable, energetic little furballs around while on a nationwide lockdown during the COVID-19 global pandemic turned out to be an absolute life-saver!<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a firm believer in \u201ceverything happens for a reason.<\/em>\u201d Although Milly\u2019s pregnancy was totally unexpected and definitely unplanned, it turned out to be such an incredible chapter of our lives. One I cannot imagine not having.<\/p>\n

Now let me tell you a bit more about the night Milly became a teen mom and I became a grandmother to Tommy, Shelby, Alfie, Basil, and Miley.<\/p>\n

As you can see, it\u2019s very hard to guess what series I watched, the foods I ate, and the music I listened to back then!<\/p>\n

Accidental Impregnation<\/h2>\n
\"Pre-pregnant
Pre-pregnant Milly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cSo, how did Milly get pregnant?\u201d you ask. Well, it was right after I graduated from University and Milly and I moved back home with my family to Johannesburg at the end of 2019. Milly came with me when I visited home as a student, so she was used to the space and knew everyone, including our 7 other cats, Chicky, Winsey, Smokle, Lulie, Nibby, Pumy, and Mimi. All of whom were spayed or neutered.<\/p>\n

That December, I went to visit my fiance who was visiting his parents in Stellenbosch, Cape Town. Milly was around 9 months old at the time and still a little baby in my eyes. I knew a lot about cats at the time, but I definitely wasn\u2019t the cat expert I am today. I wasn\u2019t fully aware of how early you should spay or neuter cats<\/a>. Ideally, one can start spaying female cats between 5 and 6 months of age.<\/p>\n

I had just finished college, moved back home, and was planning on going on a well-deserved vacation. So, I just didn\u2019t think of spaying her at that time. I told myself that I\u2019d take her for a check-up and book the sterilization in the new year once I came back from holiday.<\/p>\n

Too little, too late.<\/p>\n

Sometime during that December, she snuck out (all our cats were outdoor\/indoor cats, including her) and went and got herself pregnant with an unknown gentleman in the area. Most likely a stray cat. My parents live very close to a shopping center and there are apparently stray cats living in or around the parking lot.<\/p>\n

A week or two later, my sister called and said Milly was acting unusually loveable and affectionate and they did see her come running across the street from the shopping center\u2019s side a couple of nights. We obviously knew it was risky allowing her to roam freely while intact, so we did worry that she might have gotten pregnant, but I just really didn\u2019t think she\u2019d be that determined and eager to get pregnant within 2 weeks of being home and while not spayed.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, it was totally my fault. I should\u2019ve been a more responsible cat owner in that scenario and should\u2019ve spayed her much sooner. However, everything worked out fine in the end. No use in crying over spilled milk!<\/p>\n

The Pregnant Cat Experience<\/h2>\n
\"1st
1st trimester<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, after my sister phoned me, we were about 60% sure she might <\/em>be pregnant. By the time I got home from holiday, we were certain. Milly was definitely <\/em>pregnant.<\/p>\n

It was hard to be sad or worried because she was the cutest little pregnant gal there ever was! Almost like she was on a pregnancy high. Her belly started to show and it looked so adorable. And her nipples were more prominent and pink. You could easily tell she was in her nesting era. She was so chilled and lovable. Milly isn\u2019t the most affectionate cat, so it was such a blessing to have her be super cuddly and cutesy.<\/p>\n

She also had an increased appetite and thirst and lower energy levels than usual, and she played less with all the other cats and wanted to be by my side the whole time. You don\u2019t need to know me very well to know that it was a dream for me! And she looked really happy and healthy as well.<\/p>\n

\"Pregnant
You are free to use this image but we do require you to link back to Catster.com<\/a> for credit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As you\u2019ll see in the video, nearing the 3rd trimester, fetal movements were clearly visible and you could see the kittens moving and pawing around in her belly. We began to get really excited to bring mini-Millys into the world!<\/p>\n

As time went on, she started looking for cozy spots around the house. She inspected every cupboard and drawer in every room in search of the perfect spot to have her babies. I helped her browse. My motherly instincts also went into overdrive seeing my little girl all pregnant and motherly. I wanted to make her as comfortable and content as possible! I think she definitely knew and realized quickly that she could rely on us to help her do this thing and we were going to be there for her every step of the way.<\/p>\n