How to time contractions properly
There is one detail that trips almost everyone up, and it changes the numbers you report on the phone.
The interval is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next — not from the end of one to the start of the next. If a contraction lasts a minute and you get four minutes of quiet, that is a five-minute interval, not four. Timing it the other way makes contractions look further apart than they are, and it is the reason some people call later than they should. This timer measures start-to-start.
The two numbers that matter are:
- Duration — how long each contraction lasts, from the first tightening to the moment it eases.
- Frequency — how far apart they are, start to start.
You do not need to time every single one all day. Time them for a stretch when the pattern seems to be changing, and again if it changes further.
The 5-1-1 rule
The most widely used rule of thumb for a first baby is 5-1-1:
- Contractions about 5 minutes apart
- Each lasting about 1 minute
- Keeping that up for 1 hour
It is a guide, not a rule of law. Some units use 4-1-1, some use 3-1-1 for a second or later baby because those labours often move faster, and some will ask you to come in far earlier for reasons specific to you. If your midwife or hospital gave you a different threshold, use theirs. This tool tells you what your numbers are; it does not decide when you leave the house.
Real labour or Braxton Hicks?
Practice contractions are common from the second trimester and they are not a problem in themselves — but they can be convincing at 3am. The difference is in the pattern, not the pain:
| Braxton Hicks | Real labour | |
|---|---|---|
| Rhythm | Irregular, no pattern | Regular, and settling into one |
| Spacing | Stays random | Gets steadily closer |
| Strength | Stays about the same, or fades | Builds over time |
| Length | Varies, often under 30 seconds | Lengthens toward 60 seconds and beyond |
| If you move or rest | Often eases or stops | Carries on regardless |
| Where you feel it | Usually front of the bump | Often starts in the back and wraps round |
A practical test: drink a glass of water, empty your bladder and lie on your left side for half an hour. Braxton Hicks very often settle. Labour does not.
What if the timer says one thing and your body says another?
Believe your body and call. Timing patterns are averages drawn from a lot of people; you are one person. Nobody at a maternity unit minds a phone call that turns out to be early — that call is part of their job.
More free tools
Medical note: this timer and the information around it are educational only. They do not replace your midwife, doctor or maternity unit, and they cannot tell you whether you are in labour. If anything worries you, call — do not wait for a number on a screen to give you permission.
Frequently asked questions
How do I time contractions?
Tap when a contraction starts, tap again when it eases. The interval is measured start-to-start, which is how maternity units want it reported.
What is the 5-1-1 rule?
Contractions five minutes apart, each about a minute long, sustained for an hour. It is a common guide for a first baby — but follow your own unit's advice if they gave you different numbers.
How do I tell Braxton Hicks from real labour?
Braxton Hicks are irregular, do not get closer together, and often ease when you rest, move or drink water. Real contractions get longer, stronger and closer together and carry on regardless.
Do I need to time every contraction?
No. Time a stretch of them when the pattern seems to be changing. Continuous timing for hours mostly just makes the time pass slower.
Will I lose my log if the page reloads?
No. The log is saved in your own browser, so a refresh or an accidental back-swipe will not wipe it. Nothing is sent to any server, and you can clear it whenever you want.
Does this work without internet?
Once the page has loaded it keeps working offline. For a version that is always on your phone with no browser involved, the Hamli app has the same timer built in.
Sources and review
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — how to tell when labour begins
- NHS — signs that labour has started, and when to contact your midwife
- World Health Organization (WHO) — intrapartum care guidance
Content last reviewed: · By the NasrTech team · Contact: support@nasrtech.dev