Timing Contractions

Going into labor may well be the only thing on your mind when you're nearing your due date - and it's natural to feel apprehensive about what to expect. You may have heard accounts from friends and family, but each childbirth is unique, so understanding how to time contractions, and when to start, may help you feel better prepared to handle the physical stress that labor will cause. There is no fixed schedule that can predict how long actual labor will take - it can take anything between a couple of days and a couple of hours. Whether or not you feel it, your body begins to prepare for the process of childbirth much before you go into actual labor.

There are several bodily changes that take place even weeks before the baby is born; hormone levels fluctuate, tissues swell to later compensate for blood loss, and irregular contractions may make themselves felt. These, known as Braxton Hicks contractions, or sometimes referred to as false labor, are uterine contractions that your body goes through to 'practice' for the process of childbirth. It can be confusing to understand the differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and the beginning of actual labor, and timing contractions can give you some valuable guidance.

Timing Contractions Explained

Although not all women experience them, it's not uncommon to get a taste of what contractions during labor will feel like through Braxton Hick's contractions, which can be experienced anywhere through the second and third trimester of your pregnancy, though they are most likely to cause discomfort if at all, in the last few weeks before you are due. The main difference between real labor pain and Braxton Hicks contractions is the intensity and duration. True labor contractions will increase in intensity, and the duration between two successive contractions will lessen. Braxton Hicks contractions feel more like abdominal tightening, typically last for one to two minutes, and very often will cease with an increase in activity or fluid intake - both these measures will have no impact on real labor. Timing contractions in labor is simple, and described below. The main focus, is to understand how long each contraction lasts and how far apart two successive episodes are. Use a stop watch or a clock with a second hand, and keep a notepad close at hand to write down the timings, or have your birth coach time them for you.

• Note the time that the contraction begins.
• Note the time that the contraction ends.
• The difference between the times is the duration of the contraction.
• Note the time when the next contraction begins.
• The difference between the two start times is how far apart your contractions are.

You could also use a timing contraction chart like the one below to record your findings. In the table below, you can see that the contractions are about 40 seconds in duration, and spaced about 5 minutes apart. Remember that your own contractions need not follow a given schedule or pattern, and you need not continuously record times. Keep a note of any changes that you feel, if the contraction is more painful, or if the duration between two is reduced.

Timing Contractions Chart

Contraction Number	Contraction Start Time	Contraction End Time
One	10:15:10	10:15:50
Two	10:19:15	10:20:00
Three	10:25:10	10:25:50
Four	10:30:10	10:30:50
Five	10:36:03	10:36:46

Since there is no set parameter to follow, it's difficult to pin down when you actually have gone into labor. A general rule to follow is to make your way to the hospital when your contractions are less than 4 minutes apart, last longer than one minute each and have been taking place for close to an hour. However, if your water has broken, if you are losing your mucus plug, or seeing a bloody discharge, get to your care giver as soon as possible as these are impending signs of labor. Timing contractions can not only help you reach your birthing center on time, it can help you prepare yourself for the process of childbirth. Understanding the stages of labor will help you conserve your energy for when you need it most, while clarifying what you can expect and when. Good luck!