Contraction Timer

• Your waters break, especially if the fluid is green, brown or smells.
• You have bleeding, constant severe pain, or your baby is moving less.
• You are under 37 weeks and having regular contractions.
• Your care team gave you different instructions. Always follow those first.

Early (latent) labour can last many hours, especially with a first baby. Contractions are often irregular, 5–30 minutes apart and 30–45 seconds long. Most people are more comfortable at home during this stage.

Active labour begins when contractions become regular, stronger and closer, typically every 3–5 minutes and lasting about a minute, and the cervix opens more quickly. This is usually when hospitals want you to come in.

Transition is the most intense part, just before pushing, with contractions every 2–3 minutes lasting 60–90 seconds.

• Tap Start as soon as you feel the tightening begin, and Stop when it fades completely.
• Frequency is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next, so it includes the rest in between.
• Time several in a row. One or two don't show a pattern.
• If you miss one, don't worry. Delete any accidental taps by swiping the entry or using the bin icon.

The timer saves every tap on your device and keeps your screen on while you're timing, so it's still there if you put the phone down.

Practice contractions (Braxton Hicks) can start from the second trimester. They are usually irregular, don't get closer together, feel more like tightening than pain, and often ease if you rest, change position, have a warm bath or drink water. Labour contractions keep coming regardless of what you do, and they get longer, stronger and closer over time. If you're unsure, time them for an hour and look at the pattern on the chart.

Rest between contractions if you can, eat light snacks and keep sipping fluids. Upright positions, gentle movement, a birthing ball, warm showers and slow breathing all help. Let your birth partner time contractions while you focus on getting through each one, then use Share summary to send the pattern to your hospital or midwife in a single message.

When contractions start, a little preparation removes a lot of stress. Keep your maternity unit's number saved in your phone, your hospital bag by the door, your antenatal notes and ID together, and your route planned, including what you'll do if it's rush hour or you can't get a taxi or private-hire car quickly. Charge your phone and keep this timer open; it holds your data even if you switch apps.

Don't wait for a 5-1-1 pattern if any of these happen:

• your waters break, especially if the fluid is green, brown, bloody or smells;
• you have vaginal bleeding;
• you have constant, severe tummy pain rather than coming-and-going contractions;
• your baby is moving less than usual;
• you're under 37 weeks and having regular contractions;
• you have a fever, a severe headache, vision changes or sudden swelling;
• you feel something is wrong. Trust your instincts.

If you're booked at KKH and are 22 weeks or more, KKH asks you to go straight to its Delivery Suite (Level 2, Women's Tower) for leaking fluid, vaginal bleeding or signs of labour, rather than the Urgent O&G Centre. Other hospitals have their own numbers and arrangements, so save yours in your phone now. In an emergency, call 995.

Many people find it easier if their partner holds the phone. The big button works with one thumb, the screen stays on, and the 1-hour summary updates after every contraction. When it's time to call, tap Share summary to send a message like "every 4.8 min, lasting about 1 min, 12 in the last hour". That's exactly what the midwife on the phone will ask for. Download the PDF log if your hospital wants a record.