Contraction Timer
Time your contractions and see the pattern as labor builds.
Tap to start timing
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Avg frequency
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The 5-1-1 rule: contractions about 5 minutes apart, each lasting around 1 minute, continuing for at least 1 hour. It is a widely used signal that labor is progressing.
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Reading your contraction pattern
Two numbers tell the story of early labor. Length is how long a single contraction lasts. Frequency is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next, so as labor builds, frequency gets smaller and length gets longer.
The 5-1-1 rule
5-1-1 is a simple checkpoint: contractions roughly 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute, sustained for 1 hour. This timer watches your recent contractions and flags when they start to match that pattern.
A clearer picture
Watching the pattern build helps you describe what is happening clearly and judge when it is time to move. Your history stays on this device so you can see the trend at a glance.
Common questions
How do I time contractions?
Tap Start when a contraction begins and Stop when it eases. The timer records two things: how long each contraction lasts, and the frequency, which is the time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next.
What is the 5-1-1 rule?
It is a common guideline that labor may be progressing when contractions are about 5 minutes apart, each lasting around 1 minute, and have kept that pattern for at least 1 hour.
How can I tell real labor from Braxton Hicks?
Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions tend to be irregular, don't get closer together, and often ease if you move or rest. True labor contractions usually grow stronger, longer, and more regular over time.
When does the pattern usually mean labor is established?
The 5-1-1 benchmark is the common one: contractions five minutes apart, lasting around a minute, sustained for an hour. Signs like your water breaking or bleeding are usually treated as reasons to act sooner.
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