Aloha,

I hope everyone doesn't mind a cat birthing story, but I will try to tie
it into our recent cord, birth intervention discussions and even
breastfeeding.

Our mama cat  ( never did get her spayed yet) gave birth today with some
surprises.  I thought she was ready as she refused to eat in the morning
or at noon.  She made it clear she wanted in at noon though.  She started
to walk, then stop and squat, then lay down.  She repeated this cycle.
SHe also meowed quite a bit and seemed to want comfort, so I petted her
often.  I thought this strange as what little I know about birthing cats
is that they want a quiet, dark place.   She seemed to want me there.
Occassionally, she'd go to her quiet place, not the one I set up for her
of course.

Upon the last time coming out of her quiet place, she started to meow
loudly (as in heat or when fighting).  I knew it was time, but her
vocalization surprised me.  She layed down for a moment, then I saw the
kitten was breech---the tail was coming first.  So who begins to panic.
Of all people, I call the vet, whose answer made me laugh---"just let
mother nature take its course."  Why can't we do that for human births.

Anyway, the mama squatted until she birthed the kitten to the delight of
my 3 children and myself----right in the middle of the living room---on a
fairly new carpet!  We watched as she licked the kitten.  It seemed liked
ages before the kitten took its first breath.  Both my daughter and
myself started to worry a bit.  She then started to chew the cord.  I
couldn't see whether or not it stopped pulsing.  She spent a good amount
of time cleaning the kitten before getting to the cord though.  As a
matter of fact there is only a little spot on my carpet!

The kitten then crawled onto mom and latched on.  I am glad her first one
was born in the open, the kids (not to mention myself) were thrilled to
see the birth.  She then took her kitten into her quiet spot.

She birthed her second there with one soft meow.  I think a third is on
the way at this moment.

Some hindsight on my part.  I think our mama sensed the "complication."
Didn't want to be alone.  Also, her birthing position required more room
then her quiet spot allowed.  I think Dr. Michel Odent suggests women
birth a breech baby in a standing position.  Obviously, the mama knew
what she was doing.  As for her vocalization, I am sure that the birth of
her first was very uncomfortable.  Besides I am pretty vocal when it
comes time to pushing too, so why should cats be stoic!


Aloha,
Gloria Thai  Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawai'i  located 20 degrees North of the
Equator