How to time contractions: length vs interval

Short answer: time two numbers. Length is from the moment a contraction starts until it ends. Interval (or frequency) is from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Write both down for a few contractions in a row, and call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit when you reach the timing they told you to watch for.

Step by step

1. When you feel a contraction begin, note the time (or press start).
2. When it fades, note the time again (or press stop). That is the length.
3. When the next one begins, the time since the last start is the interval.
4. Repeat for several contractions. One short gap doesn't tell you much; a pattern over an hour does.

Example

• Contraction 1 starts 10:00, ends 10:01 → length 1 minute
• Contraction 2 starts 10:06 → interval 6 minutes (10:00 to 10:06)
• Contraction 3 starts 10:11 → interval 5 minutes

Real labor or practice contractions?

General guides from groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) describe true labor contractions as coming at regular intervals, getting closer together, longer and stronger, and not going away when you rest or change position. Practice (Braxton Hicks) contractions tend to stay irregular and ease off. Timing them is how you see which pattern you have.

When to go in

Many hospitals share a rule of thumb like 5-1-1: contractions about 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute, for about 1 hour. Your provider may give you a different rule, for example if you have had a baby before, live far away or have a specific condition. Their instructions come first. Call right away, whatever the timing, if your water breaks, you have bleeding, your baby is moving less, or you are before 37 weeks.

Doing this with Bumplog

Bumplog's contraction timer has one button: tap to start, tap to stop. It lists the length and interval of each contraction and the average for the last hour in a simple table, so you can read the numbers out to your midwife or doctor on the phone. Bumplog does not tell you when to go to the hospital.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Bumplog is a personal log and does not diagnose anything. If you notice fewer movements than usual or anything else worries you, contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit right away, day or night.

Is the interval measured from the end of one contraction?

No. Most guides, including ACOG's, measure from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. That number includes the contraction itself.

What is the 5-1-1 rule?

It is a rule of thumb many hospitals share: contractions about 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute, for about 1 hour. Your provider may give you different numbers, for example if this is not your first baby or you live far from the hospital, so follow their instructions.

When should I call right away, whatever the timing?

If your water breaks, you have bleeding, your baby moves less than usual, you have constant severe pain, or you are before 37 weeks, contact your provider or maternity unit right away.