In short
In early labor, contractions last 15 to 30 seconds at first and come every 10 to 20 minutes. Active labor contractions last 40 to 70 seconds and come every 3 to 5 minutes. In transition it's 60 to 90 seconds every 2 to 3 minutes (HealthLinkBC, Cleveland Clinic). These values apply from 37 weeks. With regular contractions before that, call right away (NHS).
Contents
A contraction chart shows how labor contractions change over time. Early on they are short and far apart. As labor goes on, they come closer together and each one lasts longer. The chart below gives typical values for each stage. At the end of this page there’s a contraction log you can print and fill in by hand.
Contraction chart by stage of labor
The values assume a full-term pregnancy without complications, from 37 weeks. If you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and having regular contractions, call your provider right away, whatever the interval (NHS).
| Stage of labor | Contractions come every | Each contraction lasts | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early (latent) labor | 10 to 20 minutes at first, then 5 to 7 minutes | 15 to 30 seconds at first, then up to 45 seconds | HealthLinkBC |
| Active labor | 3 to 5 minutes | 40 to 70 seconds | Cleveland Clinic |
| Transition | 2 to 3 minutes | 60 to 90 seconds | HealthLinkBC |
| Pushing | 2 to 5 minutes | 60 to 90 seconds | Cleveland Clinic |
HealthLinkBC is the health service of the Canadian province of British Columbia. These are typical values, and your own labor can look different. Cleveland Clinic describes early labor contractions as mild and somewhat irregular, sometimes 30 to 60 minutes apart. How long each stage takes and what happens in it are covered in the guides on how long contractions last and the stages of labor.
Infographic
How contractions change as labor goes on
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Early labor every 10 to 20, then 5 to 7 min · 15 to 30, then up to 45 sec
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Active labor every 3 to 5 min · 40 to 70 sec
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Transition every 2 to 3 min · 60 to 90 sec
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Pushing every 2 to 5 min · 60 to 90 sec
How to read your own numbers
Two numbers go into the chart. The length of a contraction runs from the moment it starts until it eases off. The minutes apart run from the start of one contraction to the start of the next, so the contraction itself counts too. The guide on how to time contractions explains this step by step. The online contraction timer works out both numbers for you, using the same logic as the app. How the app calculates describes how the app measures intervals and checks the 5-1-1 rule.
A single contraction tells you little. The trend tells you more: true labor contractions come at regular intervals, get closer together over time and steadily get stronger. Practice contractions have no pattern, and they may stop when you walk, rest or change position (ACOG). The guide to how far apart contractions are explains what each interval usually means.
When to call your hospital
Follow the rule your provider gave you. Lamaze says many providers use the 5-1-1 rule: contractions 5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for at least an hour. Some use 4-1-1 instead. Cleveland Clinic suggests calling once contractions come every 5 minutes for at least an hour. The guide to the 5-1-1 rule compares what different hospitals say, including for a second baby. The article When to go to the hospital covers the drive and calling ahead.
Printable contraction log
Print the log before your due date and keep it with your hospital bag. When contractions start, write down the clock time at the start and end of each one. You can work out the length and the minutes apart later. Take the sheet with you, so you can show your midwife or nurse how your contractions have been going.
Prints on one page, with the typical values from the chart.
Contraction log
contractiontimer.babyjourney.studio
Name
Date
Hospital or labor unit, phone
Midwife or doctor, phone
| # | Starts | Ends | Length (sec) | Minutes apart | How strong | Notes |
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Length: from the start to the end of one contraction. Minutes apart: from the start of one contraction to the start of the next.
Typical values
- Early labor: every 10 to 20, then 5 to 7 min · 15 to 30, then up to 45 sec
- Active labor: every 3 to 5 min · 40 to 70 sec
- Transition: every 2 to 3 min · 60 to 90 sec
- Pushing: every 2 to 5 min · 60 to 90 sec
Call when your provider told you to. A common rule for a first baby is 5-1-1: contractions 5 minutes apart, each lasting 1 minute, for at least an hour (Lamaze). Also call if your water breaks, you are bleeding or your baby moves less (HealthLinkBC). Emergency: 911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 112 in the EU.
Call right away, whatever your contractions are doing
Don't wait for a pattern if any of these apply. Call your midwife, provider or labor ward right away, day or night. The list follows the NHS and ACOG.
- Your water breaks, even if you're not having contractions.
- The fluid is colored or smells bad.
- You're bleeding from your vagina. A little blood in the mucus plug can be part of it; call if there's more.
- Your baby is moving less than usual.
- You have constant, severe pain that doesn't ease between contractions.
- You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- You're less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you might be in labor.
- Any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes, or you're having 6 or more contractions in 10 minutes.
- You're unsure or worried. You can call anytime.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US, 999 in the UK) if you have a strong urge to push and think your baby is coming now.
Sources for this list: NHS: Signs that labour has begun (2023); NHS: Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help for; ACOG: How to tell when labor begins
Frequently asked questions
What does an active labor contraction chart look like?
In active labor, contractions typically come every 3 to 5 minutes and last 40 to 70 seconds (Cleveland Clinic). HealthLinkBC describes stronger contractions every 3 to 5 minutes that may last 60 seconds or more. On a chart, the gaps between contractions get shorter while each contraction gets longer.
How do I fill in a contraction chart?
Write down the clock time when each contraction starts and when it ends. The length runs from the start to the end of one contraction; the minutes apart run from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. A timer app or our online timer does the math for you.
When should I call while timing contractions?
Follow your provider's advice. Cleveland Clinic suggests calling once contractions come every 5 minutes for at least an hour. HealthLinkBC lists regular, painful contractions of 60 seconds each, every 5 minutes or less, for an hour or more. Call without waiting for a pattern if your water breaks, you're bleeding or your baby is moving less.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: Contractions (2024)
- Cleveland Clinic: Stages of Labor (2025)
- HealthLinkBC (BC Ministry of Health): Baby's Best Chance, Stages of Labour (2024)
- ACOG: How to Tell When Labor Begins (FAQ, reviewed 2025)
- Lamaze International: When in labor should you go to the hospital? (2021)
- NHS: Signs that labour has begun (2023)
This article does not replace medical advice. When in doubt, call your hospital or midwife, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (911 in the US, 999 in the UK, 112 in the EU).
