How to time contractions: what to measure and when to call
Time contractions from the start of one to the start of the next, and note how long each lasts. When to start, what to write down and when to call.
Guide
Labor contractions and birth: a guide for the last weeks
Short, clear answers to the questions that come up in the last weeks of pregnancy. Every article lists its sources. None of them replaces a conversation with your midwife or doctor.
Frequently searched: Losing your mucus plug, Braxton Hicks contractions, Hospital bag checklist
Labor contractions are the topic that raises the most questions in the last weeks of pregnancy: whether this is real labor or Braxton Hicks, what contractions feel like, how long they last and how far apart they should be before you call the hospital. The guides here answer those questions briefly, with sources such as the NHS, ACOG and Cleveland Clinic.
Many care providers use the 5-1-1 rule, according to Lamaze. You call once contractions are 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long, for at least an hour. With a later baby, OHSU advises going in when contractions are 5 to 10 minutes apart for an hour. The NHS says to call right away if your water breaks, you're bleeding or your baby moves less than usual. The same applies if you're under 37 weeks and think labor has started.
Timing contractions
Timing contractions means measuring two things: how long each one lasts, from start to finish, and how far apart they are, from the start of one to the start of the next. How to time them, what 10, 7, 5 or 3 minutes apart means and what is typical at each stage of labor is covered here, along with the 5-1-1 rule and when to go to the hospital.
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Contractions 5 minutes apart or 10 minutes apart: what it means
Contractions 10, 7, 5 or 3 minutes apart: what each interval usually means, why a steady pattern matters more than one number, and when to go in.
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When to go to the hospital in labor: contractions and other signs
When to go to the hospital in labor: how far apart contractions should be, why second babies may need an earlier start, and signs to call right away.
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The 5-1-1 rule for contractions, explained
The 5-1-1 rule means contractions 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour. How to time it, how 4-1-1 and 3-2-1 differ, and when not to wait.
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How long do contractions last? Each stage of labor explained
How long do contractions last? In early labor 15 to 30 seconds at first, near the end 60 to 90 seconds. Plus how long each stage of labor takes.
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Labor contraction chart: how far apart and how long at each stage
Labor contraction chart: how far apart contractions come and how long they last at each stage, when to call, and a contraction log you can print.
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How the app calculates: interval, duration and the 5-1-1 check
How Contraction Timer measures intervals start to start, averages the last hour and decides when the 5-1-1 rule is met.
Signs of labor
Your baby dropping, Braxton Hicks, prodromal labor, losing your mucus plug, your water breaking: a lot can point to labor, but none of it tells you the exact day. What contractions feel like and how to tell real labor from false labor is here, along with the signs that mean you call your provider right away.
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What do contractions feel like? From early labor to pushing
What do contractions feel like? Early ones often feel like period cramps or a dull backache, then they build in waves. Each stage, back labor, when to call.
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Braxton Hicks contractions: what they feel like and how to tell them from labor
Braxton Hicks contractions can start in the second trimester. What they feel like, what triggers them and how to watch the pattern for an hour.
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Prodromal labor: what it is and how long it lasts
Prodromal labor brings contractions that feel like labor but stop and start without opening the cervix. Signs, how long it lasts, what helps and when to call.
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Signs of labor: how to tell labor is starting
Early signs of labor like the baby dropping, a bloody show and loose stools, the signs that labor has really started, and when to call your provider.
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Losing your mucus plug: what it looks like and what it means
What a mucus plug looks like, how it differs from discharge and bloody show, how long until labor starts, and when to call your doctor or midwife.
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Water breaking: how to tell and what to do next
Signs of water breaking, how to tell amniotic fluid from pee or discharge, what the color means, and when to call or go in right away.
Getting ready
The NHS suggests having your hospital bag packed at least 3 weeks before your due date. Scripps Health recommends at least a month. The checklist covers what goes in, from your ID and maternity notes to clothes for you, your baby and your partner. You can tick items off and print it.
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Hospital bag checklist: what to pack for labor and after
Hospital bag checklist for labor and after: when to pack, what you, your baby and your partner need, and what the hospital usually provides.
Birth
Cleveland Clinic describes three stages of labor. The first opens your cervix, the second is pushing and birth, and the third is delivering the placenta. The guide walks through each stage and how long they usually take for a first and a later baby.
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The stages of labor: what happens and how long each lasts
The stages of labor explained: early and active labor, transition, pushing and the placenta, with typical lengths from ACOG and NICE and what helps.
When labor starts, your hands are full
Download Contraction Timer today and try the button once. The app is free and needs no account.
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