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