Time your contractions and know when it's time to call your provider.
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contractions recorded
The 5-1-1 Rule
Most providers recommend heading to the hospital when contractions follow the 5-1-1 pattern:
5 minutes apart — Measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next
1 minute long — Each contraction lasts about 60 seconds
1 hour — This pattern has continued for at least 1 hour
Labor Stages
Stage
Frequency
Duration
Early Labor
5-30 min apart
30-45 seconds
Active Labor
3-5 min apart
45-60 seconds
Transition
2-3 min apart
60-90 seconds
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Every pregnancy is unique. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tap 'Contraction Starting' when you feel a contraction begin, then tap 'Contraction Ended' when it stops. The timer tracks both the duration of each contraction and the time between them (frequency). Record several contractions to see the pattern.
The general guideline is the 5-1-1 rule: when contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. However, always follow your provider's specific instructions, especially for high-risk pregnancies or if your water breaks.
Braxton Hicks (practice contractions) are irregular, don't get closer together, and usually stop when you change position or activity. Real labor contractions become progressively longer, stronger, and closer together regardless of what you do.
Early labor (cervix dilates to 6 cm) can last hours to days for first-time parents. Active labor (6-10 cm) typically lasts 4-8 hours. Transition (final stretch to 10 cm) is the most intense but shortest phase, usually 15 minutes to an hour.
In early labor, you can time contractions periodically (every 30-60 minutes) to check the pattern. Once contractions start coming regularly, time them more consistently to track the progression toward the 5-1-1 pattern.