One of the most common anxieties of late pregnancy is not knowing whether what you’re feeling is real labour or Braxton Hicks. This timer tracks both duration and frequency in real time and uses the pattern to give you clear guidance on what to do.
⏱️ Contraction Timer
Press Start when a contraction begins, Stop when it ends.
The 5-1-1 Rule — What It Means
The 5-1-1 rule is the most widely used guideline for when to go to hospital for a first-time mother: contractions are 5 minutes apart (from the start of one to the start of the next), lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. This pattern indicates established active labour. For second and subsequent babies, the threshold moves earlier — typically 7–10 minutes apart — because labour progresses significantly faster. If your waters break, go in regardless of contraction pattern. If you’re Group B Strep positive, go in earlier to allow time for IV antibiotics.
Real Labour vs. Braxton Hicks
Braxton Hicks (practice contractions): irregular in timing with no consistent pattern; variable and unpredictable duration; don’t intensify over time; typically felt only across the front of the abdomen; slow down or stop with position change, rest, or a large glass of water. True labour contractions: progressively regular — getting closer together over time; progressively longer — building in duration; progressively stronger — each one harder than the last; felt as a wave from back to front; don’t stop with rest. The single most useful test: drink a large glass of water, lie down for 30 minutes. If contractions slow and stop — Braxton Hicks. If they continue and intensify — active labour.
When to Call Without Waiting for 5-1-1
- Waters break — any colour, any amount — go in immediately or call your unit
- Bright red bleeding — emergency, go straight to hospital
- Reduced fetal movement alongside contractions — go in
- Any contraction accompanied by severe constant pain that doesn’t release between contractions — needs urgent assessment
- Before 37 weeks — any regular contractions warrant a call to your unit
- Your instinct tells you something is wrong — always call
Making Early Labour at Home Manageable
Arriving at hospital in early labour (before 6cm dilation) is associated with higher rates of epidural, augmentation, and caesarean. Early labour at home is both safer and typically more comfortable. Evidence-based strategies: warm bath or shower (significantly reduces contraction pain); a TENS machine started in early labour (most effective if rental arranged around 36 weeks); staying upright and mobile — lying down makes contractions harder and may slow progress; eating lightly between contractions (you need fuel for what’s ahead); a birth partner applying firm counter-pressure to the lower back during contractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
My contractions are very irregular — is that early labour or Braxton Hicks?
Irregular contractions with no consistent pattern are likely Braxton Hicks or prodromal (pre-labour) activity. Prodromal labour can last hours or even days before active labour establishes — exhausting but not dangerous. The key question is whether contractions are getting progressively stronger and longer, or staying the same. Progressively intensifying contractions that are irregular in timing but building in intensity suggest labour is establishing.
I’m 36 weeks and having regular contractions — what should I do?
Call your maternity unit immediately. Before 37 weeks, any regular contractions warrant assessment — the team may be able to slow or stop preterm labour, and if they can’t, administering betamethasone (steroids to mature the baby’s lungs) in the 24 hours before delivery significantly improves outcomes. Do not wait to see if contractions stop on their own at 36 weeks.
How will I know when I’m in active labour?
Active labour has a distinct qualitative character from early labour: contractions are strong enough that you cannot talk through them and need to stop and breathe fully. The pain has a different quality — more intense, more all-consuming, less manageable with ordinary distraction. Most women describe a point where they simply know this is different. That shift, whenever it happens, is your signal to call your unit.
Medical disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If you believe you are in labor, always contact your OB or maternity unit directly. Call 911 for emergencies.
Related Reading
- 39 weeks pregnant: membrane sweep — what to expect
- Water breaking: what it looks, feels and smells like
- Hospital bag checklist: everything mum, baby and partner need
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