Help!! Brand new hamster owner with pregnant hamster

[josiah416]

I put this thread under healthcare because I am not a breeder; I am a brand new owner of a very young pregnant hamster, and my only concern here is the health of the mother and babies. Also, I'm calling my hamster Sophie now that I have learned she is female.

I'm asking help in two ways-- I'm posting a picture I took several days ago; if anyone can confirm the sex of the hamster I'd appreciate it (this is probably obvious, but I want to be sure). And also I'd like to know everything that's critical in helping Sophie to have as healthy a litter as possible.

So here's the story. I bought Sophie at a pet store who sold her as male. I did not handle her to confirm her sex then because I was more concerned with not stressing her out. I have had her 16 days now. 4 nights ago, she was incredibly active, searching over the entire cage, finally settling down in the bottom right corner to build a large nest. For the last three nights she has only come out of her nest to eat, drink and pouch food. She will also quickly come out and gather toilet paper bedding I leave for her. But other than those few moments I don't see her at all. And for the record, when I do see her she zips along as quickly as ever and looks bright-eyed.

So far, I have been sure to give her more food, including plain scrambled egg for a protein source (she did not take to the freeze dried mealworms). She pouched the entire bowl of egg (about a tablespoon or so). I have given her tons of toilet paper bedding-- 30 or 40 sheets--and she has used it all. I haven't disturbed the nest which is difficult to get to (she chose the bottom right corner in the back of the cage) and I have generally tried to keep things quiet. Thankfully she is set up in a bedroom so that's not difficult.

I know it's common practice to remove the wheel-- but I tried that and doing so really opened up the back of the cage and I felt it would alarm her if she saw that change. She hasn't been on the wheel in days that I have seen, so I wonder if it's better to leave it in for now. I think the bedding is so high now anyway that it can't move and she can't run on it.

I'm posting a picture of the cage so you can see her setup. Any advice or comforting words would be appreciated-- as I said I'm not a breeder and I'm very concerned for the health of my hamster. Thanks so much