Contraction Count | Track Timing Patterns In Minutes

When contractions start, it’s easy to lose track. Your body’s doing a lot, your brain’s doing math, and the clock feels loud. A contraction count gives you numbers you can share with your midwife or labor unit, and it can calm the guesswork.

This page walks you through a practical way to time contractions, what the numbers can mean, and when the pattern suggests it’s time to call. If you’ve been told a different plan for your pregnancy, stick with that plan.

Contraction Count Basics For First-Time Parents

A contraction has two pieces you can measure:

• Length: how long the tightening lasts.
• Gap: the time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next.

Most people time from start to start because it’s simple and it matches how many maternity units talk about “minutes apart.” Mayo Clinic also describes timing from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next, then watching for a pattern that gets closer together.

What You Track	How To Measure It	What It Can Tell You
Start time	Hit “start” as the tightening begins	Creates a clean log you can read back fast
Length	Stop timing when the tightening eases	Shows if contractions are lasting longer
Gap (start to start)	Measure from one start time to the next	Shows if they’re getting closer together
Regularity	Compare gaps over 30–60 minutes	Helps tell a steady pattern from stop-and-go
Intensity notes	Quick label: mild / strong / “need to breathe”	Adds context when numbers are borderline
Change with movement	Note if walking, shower, or rest changes them	False labor often fades or shifts around
Water breaking or bleeding	Write the time and what you see	These signs can change the plan right away
Baby movements	Note if movement feels usual for your baby	A drop in movement can be a reason to call

How To Time Contractions In Real Time

You don’t need special gear. You need a timer and a way to jot down two numbers. A phone stopwatch works. A notes app works. A paper list works when your phone battery is low.

Step 1: Pick A Start Point

As soon as you feel the tightening begin, note the clock time. If you’re using an app, tap the button right then. If you wait until the peak, your log drifts.

Step 2: Time The Length

Keep timing until the tightening eases and you can talk normally again. Many labor contractions last around 60 to 90 seconds once labor is established, though early contractions can be shorter or uneven.

Step 3: Time The Gap

When the next contraction starts, note that start time. The minutes between those two start times is your gap. Do this for at least 6–10 contractions so you’re not judging the whole night by one fluke.

Step 4: Write One Short Note

Numbers are the backbone. One short note adds meaning. Try: “could talk,” “had to stop,” “needed breathing,” or “in back.” Keep it short so you’ll keep doing it.

Counting Contractions By Start Times And Gaps At Home

Early labor often comes in waves. You might get three steady contractions, then a break, then a new run. That’s why the pattern over an hour matters more than one ten-minute stretch.

What A Steady Pattern Looks Like

A steady pattern usually means:

• gaps that trend shorter over time,
• length that stays similar or gradually increases,
• and a feeling that you need more attention to breathe through each wave.

What An Unsteady Pattern Can Look Like

Many people feel tightening that comes and goes, changes with position, or fades after hydration and rest. That can happen with Braxton Hicks contractions. Pattern is the big clue: true labor tends to become more regular and more demanding over time.

When The Numbers Mean “Call Now”

Every maternity unit has its own thresholds. Still, you’ll hear a common rule: contractions that are regular, about five minutes apart, and lasting around a minute. The NHS describes calling when you’re having regular contractions coming every 5 minutes or more often, and their guidance lists calling your midwife or maternity unit if you think you’re in labor or you’re having that regular 5-minute pattern. NHS signs that labour has begun

In the U.S., many hospitals use a similar “5-1-1” style rule of thumb for a first baby: around 5 minutes apart, about 1 minute long, for about 1 hour. Your unit may use 4-1-1, 3-1-1, or a travel-time rule if you live far away.

Reasons To Call Earlier Than The Clock Says

Timing helps, yet some situations should bump you into “call” mode even if contractions are not in a neat pattern:

• Water breaks, even without strong contractions.
• Heavy bleeding or bleeding that worries you.
• Contractions before 37 weeks.
• Baby movements feel less than usual.
• Severe headache, vision changes, or strong pain high in your belly.
• You have a high-risk plan from your care team that says to call sooner.

ACOG’s “How to tell when labor begins” page runs through common signs and also points out that heavy bleeding and concerns like decreased fetal movement are reasons to contact your ob-gyn. ACOG How to tell when labor begins

Tools That Make Timing Easier

If you like apps, pick one that shows start time, length, and gap in a simple list. Skip anything that needs a login mid-contraction. A plain timer plus notes is often faster.

Paper Log Option

Paper works well when screens feel annoying: write start time, length, then one quick note.

Common Timing Mistakes That Skew The Pattern

Most timing mistakes are simple and fixable. If your log feels messy, check these first.

Starting Late

If you start the timer at the peak, your gaps look longer than they are. Aim for the first sign of tightening, even if it’s mild.

Timing From End To Start

Some people time the break between contractions, then get confused when someone asks “minutes apart.” Start-to-start avoids that mismatch.

Mixing False Labor Into The Same Log

If you get a long quiet stretch, start a fresh set of notes when contractions pick back up. That keeps your “last hour” pattern clean when you call.

What To Say When You Call The Maternity Unit

A clear report saves time. Timing numbers give you that. Keep your call simple:

• How far along you are.
• Your average gap over the last hour.
• Typical length.
• If your water broke and when.
• Any bleeding, fever, or big change in baby movement.
• Your plan: hospital, birth center, or homebirth.

If you can, read three recent entries from your log. That’s often enough for triage to guide you.

Quick Reference Table For Contraction Patterns

Use this as a quick check against your own instructions from your care team. Travel distance, prior births, and medical history can shift the timing.

Pattern You’re Seeing	What It Often Means	Next Move
Irregular gaps that don’t trend closer	Early changes or false labor waves	Hydrate, rest, time another set in 30–60 min
Regular gaps around 10–15 minutes	Early labor for many people	Keep timing, eat light if you can, save energy
Regular gaps around 5 minutes with ~60 sec length	Often active labor signals for a first baby	Call your unit and follow their directions
Contractions close together with little rest	Fast progression can happen	Call right away, especially if travel is long
Water breaks at any point	Plan can change, infection risk rises over time	Call and report color, smell, and time
Bleeding that soaks a pad or feels scary	Needs prompt assessment	Call emergency services or go in now
Under 37 weeks with contractions	Preterm labor needs assessment	Call right away

A Simple 60-Minute Timing Checklist

If your head is foggy, run this checklist for one hour. It keeps your log consistent and gives you clean data for a call.

1. Note the start time of each contraction.
2. Time the length until it eases.
3. Write the gap from start to start.
4. Add one short note: talk / breathe / back / pressure.
5. After 6–10 contractions, find the average gap.
6. Decide: keep timing, call, or head in based on your plan.

Comfort Moves While You Time

You can time contractions and still move around. Try one thing for a few waves, then switch.

• Slow exhale breathing: make your out-breath longer than your in-breath.
• Change positions: walk, lean forward, or rest on your side between waves.
• Warm shower if your plan allows it.

Notes You Can Save

Copy this mini template into your phone notes:

• Start: __:__ Length: __ sec Note: ____
• Start: __:__ Length: __ sec Note: ____
• Start: __:__ Length: __ sec Note: ____

When you’re ready to call, add one line: “Average gap over last hour: __ minutes.” That single line is often what triage wants first.