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⏱️ Contraction Timer

Record the frequency and duration of your contractions. These records alone cannot determine whether labour has begun or its active phase has started; contact your maternity unit for assessment.

Medical content owner: Op. Dr. Cem Akaltun, Obstetrician and Gynecologist · English version: AI-assisted translation of the Turkish original, not separately reviewed by a physician · Editorial policy

📌 How to Use?

When contraction starts, press the "Start" button. When the contraction ends, press the "Stop" button. The application automatically records the duration of each contraction and the time (interval) since the previous contraction. You will receive an alert when contractions show a regular pattern that becomes more frequent.

⏱️ Current Contraction Duration

00:00
# Startup Duration Previous Interval
No contraction recorded yet

🔍 True Labor and Braxton-Hicks Comparison

Not every contraction is labor pain. According to ACOG, the main differences between Braxton-Hicks contractions (false contractions) and real labor are:

✅ Real Labor Pain

  • Frequency: Regular, increasingly frequent (15 min → 10 min → 5 min)
  • Duration: Each contraction lasts 30-70 seconds, gradually getting longer
  • Intensity: Grows stronger
  • Location: Starts on the back, spreads to the abdomen
  • With activity: Continues or increases with walking
  • Position change: Never changes
  • Cervical change: Dilation and effacement occur

ℹ️ Braxton-Hicks (False Pain)

  • Frequency: Irregular, range variable
  • Duration: less than 30 seconds, variable
  • Severity: Remains the same or decreases
  • Location: Usually only in the anterior part of the abdomen
  • With activity: Decreases/disappears with rest
  • Position change: It is relieved by walking or changing position
  • Cervical change: None

📋 5-1-1 Rule and ACOG Recommendation

⚠️ Time to Go to the Hospital (5-1-1 Rule):
  • Contraction every 5 minutes
  • Each contraction lasts at least 1 minute
  • This pattern continues for at least 1 hour
🚨 Situations Requiring Prompt Assessment
  • If 5 or more contractions are recorded in 10 minutes , contact your maternity unit for assessment; the contraction count alone cannot diagnose active labour.
  • Vaginal bleeding (beyond bloody spot)
  • Water breaking (amniotic fluid leak)
  • Significant decrease in baby movements
  • Severe headache, visual impairment, upper right abdominal pain (preeclampsia)
  • Regular contractions before 37 weeks (preterm labor)

💡 Is It Different Between First Birth and Previous Birth?

In the first pregnancy (nullipara), cervical effacement occurs before dilation and the active phase lasts longer (6-8 hours on average). In women with previous births (multipara), effacement and dilation may be faster and the active phase may be shorter. For those who have had a previous cesarean section, advance planning should be made with the doctor (VBAC candidates should go to the hospital with the immediate onset of contractions).

📚 Sources of Information on This Page

  • ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 49 (2024 reaffirmed) — Dystocia and Augmentation of Labor: acog.org
  • ACOG Committee Opinion No. 766 (2024) — Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth: acog.org
  • RCOG Intrapartum Care Guideline (2024 update) — Care of Healthy Women in Labour: rcog.org.uk
  • NICE NG235 — Intrapartum care. Recommendations 1.8.1–1.8.2; accessed 2 November 2026. Labour assessment and telephone triage .
  • WHO Recommendations (2024) — Intrapartum Care for a Positive Childbirth Experience: who.int

Last updated: . All sources have been confirmed with their latest versions. This tool is for educational purposes, not clinical decision support.