Contraction Timer
Tap Start when a contraction begins and Stop when it ends. The timer logs each contraction's duration and the interval until the next one starts, so you can see whether labor is following the 5-1-1 pattern. Informational only — follow your provider's guidance.
Timer
The 5-1-1 Rule
A widely taught signal that labor is active and it's time to head to the hospital:
Contractions 5 minutes apart + lasting 1 minute + for 1 hour
Early labor is often irregular and easy to dismiss; active labor settles into a steady, strengthening rhythm. Timing several contractions shows the trend. Every pregnancy is different, so always defer to your provider's specific instructions.
Real Labor vs Braxton Hicks vs False Labor
Not every tightening means go-now. The table separates the three patterns women commonly confuse — the deciding factors are regularity, intensity trend, and whether rest changes anything:
Three patterns, three different actions
| Key signsBest | Timing | What to do |
|---|
Only true labor shows a steady trend of shorter intervals and longer, stronger tightening that rest does not stop.
Worked Example: A Log That Trips 5-1-1
Here's what a textbook active-labor pattern looks like when you write the times down. Four contractions, each about a minute long, five minutes apart, sustained past the one-hour mark:
When to Go to the Hospital for Contractions
The 5-1-1 rule is the common green light, but it is not the only one. Go sooner if: your provider gave you a different threshold (common with a high-risk pregnancy or epidural plan), your water breaks (note the color — clear is normal, green or foul needs urgent review), you see blood, or fetal movement noticeably drops. If you're unsure, a phone call to your provider is always free and appropriate. This timer exists to help you see the pattern clearly — it is not a substitute for that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 5-1-1 rule?
Contractions 5 min apart, lasting 1 min, for 1 hour → time to go in.
Braxton Hicks vs real contractions?
Braxton Hicks are irregular and fade; real ones get regular, longer, stronger.
How do I time a contraction?
Start at the tightening, stop at the end for duration; the gap to the next start is the interval.
When go to hospital for contractions?
5-1-1 is the common cue, but go sooner for water breaking, bleeding, or reduced movement.
When call regardless of timing?
Water breaking, bleeding, reduced movement, or preterm — call your provider at once.
Informational tool only. BuildFormulas is not a medical provider. Decisions about labor and delivery should follow your obstetrician or midwife's specific guidance.