Log each contraction's start and end time, see the duration and interval calculated automatically, and check your pattern against the commonly used 5-1-1 rule.
⚕️ Medical Notice: This tool only helps you track and pattern-match your contraction timing. It does not replace calling your midwife, doctor, or maternity unit, and it does not diagnose true labor, false labor, or any medical condition. When in doubt, call your care provider.
Your log is kept only in this browser tab's memory for this visit — it is not saved and will clear if you reload or close the page.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Contractions logged | 0 |
| # | Start Time | Duration | Interval Since Previous |
|---|---|---|---|
| No contractions logged yet. | |||
Timing contractions is simply a way of turning something that feels chaotic into a pattern you and your care provider can actually read. Each time a contraction starts, you note the clock time. Each time it eases off, you note that too. From those two points you get two numbers that matter: how long the contraction lasted, and how far apart contractions are occurring.
The 5-1-1 rule is a simple piece of commonly used maternity guidance for deciding when it may be time to head to hospital or call your maternity unit. It describes a pattern where contractions are arriving about 5 minutes apart, each one lasts about 1 minute, and that pattern has held steady for at least 1 hour. It is a memory aid, not a medical test — your own care provider's specific instructions always take priority over any general rule.
It is easy to assume "interval" means the quiet gap between the end of one contraction and the start of the next, but the standard convention used in maternity guidance is different: interval is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the very next one. This start-to-start measurement automatically captures both the contraction itself and the rest period after it, which is why this timer calculates interval that way in the history table above.
| Feature | Braxton Hicks | Labor Contractions |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Irregular, unpredictable | Becomes increasingly regular |
| Intensity over time | Stays roughly the same | Generally increases |
| Spacing over time | Does not consistently close in | Generally gets closer together |
| Response to rest/hydration | Often eases or stops | Continues regardless |
| What to do | Monitor; usually no action needed | Start timing; call your care provider if a pattern develops |
Not every maternity provider gives identical timing advice. Because a first labor often progresses more gradually, some guidance suggests first-time mothers can wait for a slightly tighter pattern — sometimes described as 4-1-1, meaning contractions about 4 minutes apart — before heading in, while others suggest going in a little earlier given the extra uncertainty of a first labor. Mothers who have given birth before are often advised to go in sooner, since later labors can move noticeably faster. How far you live from your hospital or birth centre, and any risk factors in your pregnancy, can also change the advice you are given. This is exactly why your own care provider's specific instructions should always override a general rule like 5-1-1.
This timer is deliberately built to track contraction patterns only — it does not, and cannot, assess these override symptoms. Watching for them is up to you, and any one of them means acting immediately rather than waiting to see how your contraction pattern develops.
What is the 5-1-1 rule for contractions?
The 5-1-1 rule is a commonly used piece of maternity guidance for deciding when to head to your hospital or call your maternity unit during labor. It says that when your contractions are about 5 minutes apart, each one lasts about 1 minute, and this pattern has been consistent for at least 1 hour, it is generally time to make the call or make your way in. It is a general guideline, not a fixed medical rule, and your own care provider's instructions always take priority.
How is the interval between contractions measured — start-to-start or end-to-start?
Contraction interval is standardly measured start-to-start, meaning the time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next one, not from the end of one contraction to the start of the next. This timer follows that convention: every time you log a contraction, it calculates the interval as the gap between that contraction's start time and the previous contraction's start time.
What is the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and real labor contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular practice tightenings that do not typically follow a consistent pattern, tend to stay about the same intensity, and often ease off with rest, a position change, or hydration. Labor contractions, by contrast, usually become more regular over time, grow stronger and closer together, and do not stop with rest. Only a care provider can confirm which type you are experiencing, especially early on.
Does the 5-1-1 rule apply the same way for a first baby as for later babies?
Not always. Labor with a first baby often progresses more slowly, so some maternity guidance suggests first-time mothers can wait until a slightly tighter pattern, sometimes described as 4-1-1 (contractions about 4 minutes apart), before heading in, while others are advised to come in a little earlier given the uncertainty of a first labor. Mothers who have given birth before may be advised to go in sooner because subsequent labors can move faster. These variations depend on personal history and distance from hospital, so always follow your own care provider's specific instructions rather than a generic rule.
What should I do if my contractions are irregular and do not fit a clean pattern?
Irregular contractions that vary widely in length and spacing are common, especially early in labor, and do not necessarily mean anything is wrong. Keep logging them with this timer so you can see the overall trend over an hour or more, rather than judging any single contraction. If you are unsure, in pain, or concerned at any point, call your midwife, doctor, or maternity unit for guidance rather than waiting for a perfect pattern.
What symptoms mean I should go to the hospital immediately, regardless of contraction timing?
Certain signs mean you should go in straight away no matter what your contractions look like on a timer: your water breaking, any vaginal bleeding, a noticeable reduction in your baby's movements, or a strong urge to push. This timer only checks contraction patterns against the 5-1-1 guideline — it cannot and does not assess these override symptoms, so you need to watch for them yourself and act immediately if any occur.
Does this tool save my contraction log if I close or reload the page?
No. This timer keeps your logged contractions only in your browser's temporary memory for the current page visit — it does not use any persistent storage. If you reload the page, close the tab, or your device restarts, the log clears completely. If you need a permanent record, write down or photograph your results as you go, or use a dedicated app your care provider recommends.
How accurate is manually timing contractions with a phone or this tool?
Manual timing is reasonably accurate for spotting overall trends, as long as you start and stop the timer promptly at the beginning and end of each contraction. Small delays of a few seconds are normal and will not meaningfully change the pattern. What matters most is consistency over many contractions across roughly an hour, rather than the precision of any single reading.
Can this timer tell me for certain that I am in true labor?
No. This timer only compares the timing pattern of contractions you log against a commonly used guideline. It cannot examine you, check cervical changes, or rule out false labor, and it is not a substitute for assessment by a midwife or doctor. Use it as a tracking aid to describe your pattern accurately when you call your care provider, not as a diagnosis.
What should I do once my pattern matches the 5-1-1 guideline?
If this timer shows your recent contractions matching the 5-1-1 pattern, commonly used maternity guidance suggests it may be time to call your maternity unit or head to the hospital. Always confirm this with your own care provider's specific instructions, since some providers give different timing advice based on your history, parity, or distance from the hospital. And regardless of your contraction pattern, go in immediately if you notice any of the override symptoms such as your water breaking, bleeding, reduced baby movement, or an urge to push.