Woman looked back at her home-birth photos — and her 10-year-old cat’s unexpected reaction during her contractions left her in tears

She was a foster mom to the cat, who was one of two survivors from a litter of five abandoned kittens.

PUBLISHED 3 HOURS AGO

(L) Man holding woman's hand in labor. (R) A cat sleeping next to a newborn baby. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Jose Luis Palaez Inc, (R) Andrey Zhuravlev)

A woman recently looked back at old home-birth photos and was left in tears by an unexpected moment. While scrolling through her phone, Maria rediscovered images from the birth of her second child in 2022, where she noticed something she'd forgotten: her cat, Jack. The photos showed Maria in the tub, holding her husband’s hand, but it was Jack’s tender presence that stood out. On October 11, 2025, Maria shared the touching memory in a TikTok post that has since left many moved.

A woman is in pain while giving birth. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by RubberBall Productions) — A woman is in pain while giving birth. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by RubberBall Productions)

As reported by Newsweek, Maria, who shares her life on TikTok as @altxmaria, posted the video as part of the "late night finds" trend, where people share rediscovered memories they stumble upon while scrolling through their phones. For Maria, this particular moment was a precious one. Looking back, she realized how Jack, her 10-year-old cat, had been there every step of the way, offering quiet comfort whenever a contraction hit. "She would run to me and give head butts and purrs when a contraction would start, and then go back and watch me from across the room after the peak," Maria recalled. Jack repeated this behavior for about an hour, offering support silently.

Cat sniffing and observing mom with newborn. (Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo by Huy Tran) — Cat sniffing and observing mom with newborn. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Huy Tran)

Maria first met Jack when she fostered her as a kitten. She was one of the two survivors from a litter of five abandoned kittens. Maria cared for them around the clock, as they were sick, and the other kitten, named Colby, passed away just a week later. From that moment, Maria developed a close bond with Jack, who became her constant companion. She was always “clingy,” and that affection was evident during her home births. Jack’s actions during her labor were nothing new. She remembered how the cat would stay close to her, offering comfort and warmth through each of her three home births.

A woman hugging her cat. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Aleksandr Zubkov)

In the photos, Maria noticed Jack’s signature act of affection, head butting, or “bunting,” a behavior cats use to mark their loved ones with their scent, per Vet Organics. This simple gesture is a way for cats to show their affection and trust. It’s less about dominance and more about marking someone as part of their social group.

The post quickly garnered a lot of attention from TikTok viewers, with many leaving heartwarming messages in the comment section. One user, @kora_burdette, recounted her personal experience along with a picture of her and her canine, "My first boy was lying on me for hours while I was having contractions." @user6069473461253 wrote, "My cat wouldn’t leave me alone the day I went into labor." @jade.fr0g mentioned, "My kitty girl has wiped many of my tears; she's not very affectionate, but she knows when I'm in pain."

For more endearing pet cat content, follow @altxmaria on TikTok.