Contraction Timer

How to Time Contractions

Timing contractions sounds simple, but there's one detail that trips almost everyone up: frequency is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next — not from the end of one to the beginning of the next. If a contraction starts at 2:00, lasts one minute, and the next one starts at 2:05, your contractions are five minutes apart, even though you only had four minutes of rest in between.

Duration is the length of a single contraction, measured from the moment it begins to the moment it fully eases. Press start when you first feel your belly tighten and the wave of pressure or cramping begin, and press stop when it has completely released. Early labor contractions often last 30–45 seconds; as labor progresses they typically stretch to 60–90 seconds.

This timer handles both measurements for you. Every time you tap the button it records the timestamp, calculates the gap since the previous contraction started, and builds a running picture of your pattern. That pattern — not any single contraction — is what tells you where you are. You don't need to time every contraction all day long. Time a batch of five or six in a row every so often; if the pattern is clearly changing, time more often.

The 5-1-1 Rule Explained

The 5-1-1 rule is the guideline most commonly given to first-time parents for when to call the provider or head to the hospital or birth center:

• 5 — contractions coming about every 5 minutes (start to start)
• 1 — each lasting about 1 minute
• 1 — sustained for at least 1 hour

The one-hour part matters as much as the other two. Contractions can cluster for twenty minutes and then fade, especially in early labor. A pattern that holds steady for a full hour — or keeps intensifying — is a much more reliable signal that active labor is underway.

Keep in mind that 5-1-1 is a starting point, not a universal rule. Labor often moves faster in second and later pregnancies, so many providers advise 4-1-1 or even 3-1-1 for people who have given birth before. If you live far from your hospital, have a planned cesarean, are carrying twins, or have any risk factors, your provider may want to hear from you earlier. Whatever threshold your own provider gave you overrides anything on this page.

True Labor vs. Braxton Hicks

From the second trimester onward, many people feel Braxton Hicks contractions — sometimes called "practice contractions." They can feel surprisingly strong, but they behave very differently from true labor, and timing them is often the fastest way to tell the two apart:

If you're unsure which you're feeling, try changing what you're doing: drink a glass of water, lie down on your side, or take a short walk. Braxton Hicks contractions usually settle; true labor keeps building. And when in doubt, call — labor and delivery nurses answer this exact question all day long, and no one will mind.

When to Call Your Provider Immediately

Some situations shouldn't wait for a 5-1-1 pattern. Call your provider right away — or contact emergency services if you can't reach them — if any of the following happens:

• Your water breaks — whether a gush or a slow trickle, and especially if the fluid is green, brown or blood-tinged.
• Vaginal bleeding that is more than light spotting.
• Reduced fetal movement — your baby is moving noticeably less than usual or not at all.
• Regular contractions before 37 weeks — this could be preterm labor, and early treatment matters.
• Severe, constant abdominal pain that doesn't come and go like a contraction.
• Symptoms of preeclampsia — severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling.
• Anything that feels wrong. You know your body and your baby. Trust that instinct and make the call.

What to Do in Early Labor

Early (latent) labor — when contractions are still irregular or more than five minutes apart — can last hours, sometimes a day or more, especially with a first baby. For most low-risk pregnancies, this stage is best spent at home, where you can move freely and rest in your own space. A few things genuinely help:

• Rest while you can. If it's nighttime, try to sleep between contractions — you'll want that energy later.
• Eat light and drink well. Small snacks and plenty of fluids keep your energy up; dehydration can even make contractions more painful.
• Move and change positions. Walking, swaying, or leaning over a birth ball can ease discomfort and help labor progress.
• Use warmth. A warm shower or bath (if your water hasn't broken and your provider agrees) is one of the most effective early comfort measures.
• Time in batches, not constantly. Check your pattern every hour or so rather than staring at the timer — watching every contraction makes early labor feel longer.
• Finalize logistics. Bag by the door, car fueled, childcare and pet care confirmed, hospital route in mind.

When your pattern reaches the threshold your provider gave you — or any of the immediate-call situations above occurs — it's time to pick up the phone. Until then, breathe, rest, and let this timer keep track of the numbers for you.