Learn How to Time Contractions

When you start having contractions, keeping track of their timing can show how your labor is progressing. This information helps your healthcare provider determine how far along you are and if it's time to head to the hospital or birthing center.

Timing your contractions can also help you figure out whether you are actually in labor, or simply experiencing Braxton Hicks “practice” contractions.

Discover what contractions really are, how to time and track contractions easily, and find out when it's time to make your way to the hospital or birthing center.

What Are Contractions?

As labor begins, your cervix starts to dilate (open) and efface (thin out), and the muscles around your uterus contract to help your baby move down and through the birth canal.

A contraction feels like a cramping or tightening that begins in your back and moves around to the front of your body. It can also sometimes feel like pressure in your back or pelvis, similar to menstrual cramps.

Your belly tightens during contractions and then relaxes and becomes softer in between.

Benefits of Timing Contractions

One benefit of timing contractions is that they can help you tell the difference between true and false labor contractions [anchor link to The Difference Between True and False Contractions].

With false labor contractions, the contractions will likely go away with movement, will feel weak and irregular, and won’t increase in frequency over time.

When you have true labor contractions, you will feel them get stronger each time, and they will increase in frequency and duration. True labor contractions won’t go away even if you move or change positions.

Another benefit of knowing how to count your contractions is that you’ll be able to give this information to your healthcare provider, who can then figure out whether it’s time for you to head to the hospital or birthing center, or advise you to stay at home for a little longer.

How to Time Contractions During Labor

Here’s how to time and track your contractions:

• Make a note of the time when your first contraction starts (“time” on the table below)

• Write down how long the contraction lasts (“duration”)

• Then mark the length of time from the start of the contraction to the start of the next one (“frequency”)

• Keep noting these times for at least an hour to see if there is a pattern, and to see if the contractions are getting closer together.

Here’s an example of what timing your contractions would look like:

Download our contractions timing chart to more easily time your contractions.

You may prefer to ask your birth partner, midwife, or doula (if you have one) to help time your contractions. That way, you’ll have one less thing to worry about, and your partner may appreciate having something useful to do to support you.

The Difference Between True and False Contractions

True labor contractions—the kind of contractions that lead to the birth of your baby—occur at regular intervals and increase in intensity and frequency over time.

If you have contractions that are irregular and don’t get stronger over time, you may be experiencing what are known as Braxton Hicks contractions or false contractions.

Braxton Hicks contractions are not yet the real thing; they are your body’s way of preparing for labor when the time comes.

Other signs of labor include your water breaking and a clear or pinkish vaginal discharge called the mucus plug.

Check out our article on what contractions feel like. It can help you spot real labor contractions and highlight why timing contractions matters. Still, your healthcare provider is the best person to confirm.

When to Go to the Hospital

During one of your third trimester appointments, ask your healthcare provider when you should go to the hospital. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully. It's a good idea to ask for the emergency contact number to call if you think you're going into labor after regular hours. This way, you'll know exactly who to reach out to when needed.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to call your healthcare provider when you first notice the signs of labor such as your water breaking, the mucus plug discharge, or contractions.

On the phone, be ready to give information about the timing and intensity of your contractions as well as any other symptoms you’ve noticed. For example, you should always call your provider if you notice vaginal bleeding.

Your healthcare provider will gather all the details to help you decide if it's time to head to the hospital or birthing center. Alternatively, they might suggest staying home a bit longer, where you can feel more at ease during the early stages of labor.

What Can You Do at Home During Early Labor?

Once contractions begin, you may still have some time to wait at home before your provider tells you to head to the hospital.

While you wait at home, you might like to try to pass the time by doing things like timing your contractions, which can help you monitor your progress. You can also do the following to help you stay relaxed:

• breathing and relaxation exercises

• going for a walk

• lying down for a nap

• taking a shower or a bath

• listening to relaxing music or watching a movie

• packing any last-minute things in your hospital bag including your birth plan, if you have one.

The Bottom Line

It’s perfectly natural to feel anxious about contractions and labor as your due date approaches. Talking to your healthcare provider or your doula about any worries you have can help put your mind at ease.

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_{How we wrote this article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}