How to Time Contractions

Care providers often tell couples to head to their birthing facility when contractions are a certain number of minutes apart. But many couples don’t know how to time contractions and whether they need a contraction timer.

How to Time Contractions

You’re supposed to time contractions from the start of one contraction to start the of the next. So if the contraction lasts a full minute and there’s a four minute break between contractions, the contractions are 5 minutes apart. You’re including the contraction in the timing between contractions. You’re also supposed to time the length of time the contraction lasts as well.

Why Time Contractions?

We time contractions to give partners something to do and to make sure contractions are becoming longer and closer together. Because of this, do you have time to every single contraction? Of course not, timing every third or fourth contractions is just fine. In addition, your partner will likely know if contractions are getting longer stronger and closer together.

Do I Need to Buy a Contraction Timer?

You don't need to buy a contraction timer unless you need an excuse to buy one. You also don’t need to buy a stopwatch. Imagine you’re coping with contractions and your partner is standing over you with a stopwatch? Are you annoyed yet? I know I would be. A clock or watch with a second hand is all that’s needed for timing contractions.

Should use Excel?

Not unless you’re having a home birth or perhaps delivering in a birthing center. If you deliver at a hospital, a nurse will probably hook you up to a fetal monitor that will monitor the contractions for you. It’ll chart how long the contractions are lasting and how far apart they are.

Do I Need to Time Contractions at my Birthing Facility?

Not unless you or your partner needs something to do. If you feel better charting the contractions with a spreadsheet so you can look at them in a line graph, then go for it. But seriously, timing contractions isn’t that big of a deal. You’ll be able to tell if contractions are getting longer and closer together—it’s your body!

Early Signs of Labor

Signs of Back Labor

Using a Focal Point during Labor