I think that you will have many responses here by people far more knowledgeable than myself!

What I do know is that this procedure is very painful to your kittens.

Your kittens if declawed won't be able to scratch - but they will use their next best defense and that is BITING!

A good scratching post and some TRAINING (just like you would do with a small child) makes a world of difference.

I wish you good luck and hope that you will not have them declawed!