Medically reviewed by Samantha L. Fox, RN, BSN, MSN
Nursing Informaticist · United States Navy Nurse Corps · Last reviewed
Contraction Timer
Time your contractions to know when it's time to head to the hospital. Track duration, frequency, and the 5-1-1 pattern.
How the Contraction Timer Works
Our contraction timer helps you track two critical measurements during labor: the duration of each contraction and the frequency (time between contractions). These two metrics are what your healthcare provider uses to determine how far along in labor you are and when it's time to come to the hospital.
To use the timer, tap "Contraction Start" when you feel a contraction beginning — this is typically when you feel tightening in your abdomen or back. Tap "Contraction End" when the contraction subsides and you feel the muscles relax. The timer records the exact start time, end time, and calculates the duration automatically.
The frequency (also called the interval) is measured from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. This is an important distinction — many people mistakenly measure from the end of one contraction to the start of the next, but the medical standard is start-to-start measurement. Our timer handles this calculation automatically.
The tool monitors for the 5-1-1 pattern, which is the most commonly recommended guideline for when to head to the hospital: contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. When this pattern is detected, you'll receive a prominent alert. Some providers recommend the 4-1-1 or 3-1-1 rule, especially for second or subsequent pregnancies where labor may progress faster. Always confirm your specific guidelines with your healthcare provider.
The contraction log provides a complete history of your session, showing each contraction's timing and duration in reverse chronological order. Running averages for duration and frequency are displayed at the top, giving you and your provider a quick overview of your labor pattern. This information is invaluable when calling your provider or arriving at the hospital, as it gives them a clear picture of how your labor has been progressing.
📚Clinical Sources & References
The calculations and guidance on this page are based on current clinical standards and peer-reviewed research. Reviewed by Samantha L. Fox, RN, BSN, MSN — Emergency Department nurse and US Navy Nurse Corps officer.
- [1]ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107: Induction of Labor. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(2 Pt 1):386-397.
- [2]ACOG Committee Opinion No. 764: Medically Indicated Late-Preterm and Early-Term Deliveries. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;133(2):e151-e155.
- [3]Lothian JA. Safe, healthy birth: what every pregnant woman needs to know. J Perinat Educ. 2009;18(3):48-54.
- [4]American College of Nurse-Midwives. Intermittent Auscultation for Intrapartum Fetal Heart Rate Surveillance. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2015;60(5):626-632.