How do I time my contractions?
Monitoring your contractions can help you and your healthcare provider gauge the timing of labor. You’ll need to track two things: duration and frequency.
1. Duration of Contractions
Duration is the length of time a contraction lasts. You can time it from the moment you feel your belly tighten until it becomes soft again. This is usually measured in seconds. A typical contraction can last anywhere from 20 to 90 seconds.
2. Frequency of Contractions
Frequency is how much time passes between the start of one contraction and the start of the next. This is measured in minutes. You’ll want to note when the first contraction starts, and then when the next one begins to measure how far apart they are. How far apart are contractions when they first start? Contractions often begin as mild cramps, spaced 5 to 20 minutes apart. As labor advances, these contractions intensify and become more frequent.
How to Time Your Contractions:
- Get a Watch or Clock: Use a watch or a clock with a second hand or a contraction timer to help you time your contractions.
- Feel Your Belly: Lie on your side and gently press on your belly. If it feels firm and you can’t press in, that’s a contraction.
- Start Timing: Write down the time when your belly becomes firm. This marks the beginning of the contraction.
- End Timing: When your belly becomes soft again, write down the time. This marks the end of the contraction. This is the duration.
- Measure the Time Between Contractions: After the contraction ends, note the time when the next contraction starts. This is how you measure the frequency—the time between the start of one contraction and the next.
- Time for at Least 30 Minutes: Keep track of your contractions for at least 30 minutes. This will give you a better idea of any patterns that are forming. Your healthcare provider will ask about the duration, frequency, and whether the contractions are regular.
When to Time Your Contractions
You don’t need to time contractions throughout your entire labor. It’s helpful to start timing when you think labor has begun, to see if there’s a consistent pattern.
If you notice a change in the intensity or frequency of your contractions, it's best to time them again. This can help you understand how much time you have between contractions and decide when to head to the hospital.
Keeping a Labor Log
Keeping a record of your contractions can help you and your healthcare provider monitor your labor progress. Often, your partner or a support person will help with timing and keeping track. While timing contractions can be helpful, remember that emotional support is more important than perfect record-keeping.
To help your healthcare provider assess your labor progress, be ready to describe the length, frequency, and regularity of your contractions.
Common Terms for Contraction Patterns:
- Regular Contractions: These contractions occur at regular intervals. For example, contractions lasting 60 seconds and coming 5 minutes apart for an hour.
- Irregular Contractions: These contractions don’t follow a consistent pattern. For example, contractions that last 30 to 45 seconds and come 10, then 7, then 15 minutes apart.
- Progressing Contractions: These contractions are getting stronger, longer, and closer together. This is a sign that labor is moving forward.
- Nonprogressing Contractions: These contractions are not getting stronger, longer, or closer together. They might indicate that your cervix isn’t yet opening, but your body may be working on other things, such as repositioning the baby or using a medicine that softens the cervix.
The Gabrielson Clinic’s on-call obstetrics nurse is always available to answer questions. Call 515-602-9804 anytime to speak with an OB nurse.