you're welcome!@mickNsnicks2mom
Thank you so much for the help and welcome! I was beginning to worry that I'd committed some kind of forum faux pas and that was why I wasn't getting responses.
it's kitten season in the US, and many members here are involved in rescue/fostering. so members who are experienced and have much knowledge about pregnant cats, birthing, and young kittens are kept "hopping" at this time of the year.
i try to check back on threads where i've posted but haven't had the knowledge/experience the original poster needs. if no one who has experience has replied after a couple days or so, i can try to bring the thread to a couple members (who have experience) attention.