Contraction Timer
Time your contractions, breathe through them, know when to go.
Tap the button when a contraction starts and again when it ends. The timer keeps your history on this device, works the averages for the last hour and tells you how close you are to the 5-1-1 guideline. Nothing is sent anywhere and no account is needed.
Breathe with me
Breathe in
Last 60 minutes
- Contractions
- 0
- Average duration
- –
- Average interval
- –
Keep timing. The 5-1-1 pattern is not there yet.
If you'd like to work on your breathing, try our app Breathing in Labour.
History
No contractions yet. Tap the button when the next one starts.
| Start | Duration | Interval | Edit duration |
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How to time a contraction
A contraction starts when you feel the tightening begin and ends when it has fully eased off. Press the button at both moments. The time between the start of one contraction and the start of the next is the frequency; the time from start to end is the duration.
Partners usually get better readings than the person in labour, so hand the phone over if you can. If you mis-tap, delete the last entry or change its duration from the list below the timer.
Practice contractions or labour?
Braxton Hicks (practice) contractions are irregular, usually painless, and tend to fade if you change position, walk, rest or drink some water. They do not get closer together over time.
Labour contractions come at increasingly regular intervals, last longer, feel stronger, and keep going whatever you do. If an hour of timing shows the gaps shrinking and the contractions lengthening, that is the pattern to watch.
When to call the hospital: the 5-1-1 guideline
5-1-1 means contractions about every 5 minutes, each lasting about 1 minute, for at least 1 hour. This timer marks the guideline as met when the last hour averages an interval of 5.5 minutes or less and a duration of 50 seconds or more. It is a common rule of thumb for a first birth with an uncomplicated pregnancy and a hospital close by.
Many care teams give an earlier threshold, for example for a second or later birth, a long drive, a planned caesarean, a high-risk pregnancy, or a history of fast labours. Your midwife or doctor's instructions always take priority over this tool. Call them at any time if your waters break, you bleed, the baby moves less, or you feel something is wrong.
This tool is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the contraction timer save my data?
Yes, on this device only. Your contractions stay in the browser's local storage, so you can close the tab or reload the page and they are still there. Nothing is uploaded to Lebene.
Does it work offline?
After the first visit the timer page is cached by your browser and keeps working without a connection. You can also add it to your home screen from the browser menu.
How long should I time before calling?
An hour of consistent contractions is the usual benchmark, which is why the summary looks at the last 60 minutes. If contractions become very strong or very close before an hour is up, do not wait for the timer: call your care team.
What if my contractions are irregular?
Irregular contractions that fade with rest are usually practice contractions. Start a new session later if they return. If you are unsure or in pain, contact your midwife or hospital rather than relying on the pattern.
Is this a medical device?
No. It is a stopwatch with a summary. It does not diagnose labour or replace advice from your midwife or doctor. See our medical disclaimer for details.
Practise your breathing before labour
Breathing in Labour is a training app: it guides each inhale and exhale with sound and a visual rhythm so you can rehearse the techniques during pregnancy and have them ready when labour begins. Free to download.