Duration runs from the start of one contraction to its end. The start-to-start interval runs from the start of one contraction to the start of the next.
Write the start and the end
Use a clock or timer and note when a contraction starts, then when it finishes. If you missed the beginning, mark the duration as approximate rather than recording false precision.
A support person can help with recording if you want that. The goal is to communicate with your maternity team, not to produce a perfect spreadsheet during labour.
Do not confuse frequency with the gap
The rest between contractions runs from the end of one to the start of the next. That is different from the start-to-start interval. Label the columns so your record can be understood quickly.
Timing example: a contraction starts at 10:00:00 and ends at 10:00:45. The next starts at 10:05:00. Duration: 45 seconds. Start-to-start interval: 5 minutes. Rest between: 4 minutes 15 seconds.
Keep your maternity team’s instructions nearby
Ask your team how they want timings described and when you should call. Generic timing rules may not fit your pregnancy, birth history, or distance from care.
You can print the free sheet or use Contraction Tracker - Timer for recording. A timer does not determine whether labour is established or whether it is safe to remain at home.
Call when you are concerned, not when the chart is complete
NHS guidance says to contact maternity services for concerns including waters breaking, vaginal bleeding, reduced baby movements, or possible labour before 37 weeks. Follow your local team’s instructions and contact them when unsure.
Do not delay calling in order to collect more entries or meet a timing rule. In an immediate emergency, use your local emergency number.
Sources & checks
- NHS: signs that labour has begun ↗
When to contact maternity services, including concerns about waters breaking, bleeding, or reduced movement.
- Current App Store listing: Contraction Tracker - Timer ↗
Checks the companion app’s stated features and its limitations; not independent evidence of health benefits.
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-20. The worked examples and record layouts are original illustrations. They are not real patient records or evidence of treatment effectiveness. This is educational content, not individual medical advice or a clinician-reviewed treatment plan.
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