The phases of delivery
Obstructed labor
In the cat, so-called interrupted labor occurs frequently enough to be taken for granted. When one or more kittens are born in this situation, the mother will stop laboring and relax contentedly while nursing the newborns. She will eat and drink, and she is entirely normal in every aspect except for the fact that there are still kittens in the womb based on her size and shape and the presence of fetal activity. Some rather dependent cats will purposefully put off or stop working if the owner must leave. Up to 24 or even 36 hours may pass during this resting stage before straining resumes and the remainder of the litter is born normally and without difficulty.
