Time Your Contractions — When to Go to the Hospital
Track contraction duration and frequency. The 5-1-1 rule tells you when it is time to head to the hospital.
The 5-1-1 Rule
Go to the hospital when contractions follow the 5-1-1 pattern: 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. This pattern indicates active labor. Time contractions from the start of one to the start of the next. True labor contractions get progressively closer together, longer in duration, and stronger over time. Braxton Hicks (false labor) are irregular and do not follow a progressive pattern.
When to Call Your Provider Immediately
Regardless of contraction timing, call your provider or go to the hospital if: your water breaks (even without contractions), you have heavy bleeding (more than spotting), baby stops moving or moves much less, you are less than 37 weeks (preterm labor risk), or you feel something is wrong. Trust your instincts — it is always better to be checked and sent home than to wait too long.
Contraction timer is an extremely high-engagement calculator — users actively timing contractions spend 30-60+ minutes on the page. The emotional intensity of the moment creates strong brand impressions. While search volume is modest (15K/mo), the user engagement metrics are unmatched.
