How to time contractions (the right way)
When contractions start, the single most useful thing you can do is time them. The pattern — not any single contraction — tells you and your provider whether labor is starting for real.
The two numbers that matter
- Duration: how long one contraction lasts, from the moment you feel it building until it fully fades. Typically 30–70 seconds.
- Frequency (interval): the time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. "5 minutes apart" means start-to-start, not the gap between them.
Getting frequency right is the most common timing mistake — measuring the rest between contractions instead of start-to-start makes labor look further along than it is.
How to do it
- When a contraction begins, note the time (or tap start).
- When it fully eases, note the time again (tap stop). That's one contraction.
- Repeat for every contraction for at least 30–60 minutes.
- Look at the trend: are they getting longer, stronger, and closer together? That's the signature of true labor. Irregular contractions that fade with rest or a change of position are usually Braxton Hicks.
What to tell your provider
When you call, they'll ask three things: how far apart, how long, and for how long the pattern has held. That's exactly the 5-1-1 rule — and it's why keeping an accurate log beats mental math at 3 a.m.
One tap per contraction with Lunera's contraction timer
Doing stopwatch math between contractions is the last thing you need in labor. Lunera's contraction timer reduces it to a single tap when a contraction starts and one when it ends — the app does everything else:
- Live stats: contraction count, average duration, average interval
- Live Activity on your lock screen and Dynamic Island — no unlocking mid-contraction
- Hands-free with Siri: "start a contraction", "stop the contraction"
- Full session history; add intensity (mild, moderate, strong) and notes
- PRO: automatic 5-1-1 detection, guided breathing during each contraction, and PDF reports to share with your provider
Quick answers
When should I start timing contractions?
Start when contractions feel regular or strong enough that you notice them stopping you mid-activity. Timing a 30-60 minute window gives you a pattern worth reporting.
How do I know it's not Braxton Hicks?
Braxton Hicks contractions are usually irregular, don't get closer together, and often ease with rest, hydration, or changing position. True labor contractions get longer, stronger, and closer together over time.
Track your pregnancy with Lunera
Week-by-week baby development, due date countdown, widgets, and a one-tap contraction timer — free, private, and subscription-free on iPhone.
This guide is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Lunera is not a medical device. Always consult your doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy or labor.