Soon-to-be-Chinchilla-moms will often do the stretching exercises to try to get in a more comfortable position and/or to help get the kits into the proper position for delivery.
The real giveaway is the amount of water intake. Natural instincts will let the mom know she needs extra fluids at this time. She will often double or triple the amount of water she drinks in the last 24 to 48 hours before the kits are born.
Heavy breathing and flattening out on the bottom of the cage are signs of labor. If you watch closely, you will even be able to see the contractions.
An almost constant cleaning herself is another sign her time is very close.
Jo Ann