Contraction Calculator: What It Is and How It Works?

What Is Contraction During Labor?

A contraction calculator is also popularly referred to as a tracker or timer. It provides you with accurate measurements and timing of the contractions you experience. Measuring the time frame and the frequency indicates the precise stage of pregnancy labour. This is easy to operate and can be used by every expectant mother within the comfort of her home. A majority of first-time-to-be mothers get confused with the type of contractions they experience. Most women begin to experience irregular contractions in the fourth month of pregnancy. These are pain-free but make the abdomen feel quite tight, which can cause discomfort. These are false contractions and are the result of fatigue or dehydration. Better known as Braxton-Hicks contractions, a woman can drink a lot of water, rest, and have a frequent change of position (1).

What Are Preterm Labor Contractions?

Preterm labour contractions are often experienced after the fifth month or 20th week of pregnancy. These enable the cervix to expand and stretch before the mother reaches the normal time frame of nine months (40 weeks). A woman often experiences a contraction every ten to twelve minutes in an hour. Cramps, pelvis pressure, lower backache, and various digestive issues are some of the conditions experienced by a woman with such contractions. The woman’s abdomen undergoes a tough texture (2).

Preterm labour can induce the woman in question to give premature birth before nine months, which impacts the baby’s health (3). A woman begins to experience real contractions in the 40th week of her pregnancy. Real contractions occur at intervals of four to five minutes and tend to get more painful and intense as the time of delivery approaches. 

How Does a Contraction Calculator Work?

A pregnancy contraction tracker can be an accurate tool to measure and track the length of contractions and how apart they occur. But how does it work? Let’s find out!

• It would be best to hit the start button as soon as you experience the start of a contraction and hit the stop button when it subsides. 
• The time difference between the two activities provides you with the correct measurement of your contraction. 
• Using a contraction calculator lets you understand if the contractions follow a specific pattern. 

How to Time Contractions?

The benefits of timing contractions clarify whether the contractions are false or real labour ones. False ones are irregular, and you will not find their frequency increasing over time. True labour contractions happen at regular intervals, increase in frequency, grow more intense, last longer, and continue even if you change positions like straightening up or lying down. Timing of contractions plays a key role as it helps you understand which stage of labour you are experiencing, and it gives you an insight into how well your labour is progressing. 

• Timing contractions have become very easy with the various handy devices explicitly created.
• The simplest way to time labour contractions is to jot down the details, and you can record the information on a writing pad.
• You can note down the exact time of the start of a contraction, its duration, and when it ends. Once you have availed of measurements of at least two contractions, the device showcases the frequency of your contractions. 
• Once you start monitoring your contractions, you can also identify if they are following a specific pattern. 
• Contractions lasting between 45-60 seconds at intervals of three to five minutes indicate medical attention, and you must consult your doctor or visit the hospital at the earliest.

FAQs

1. How do Braxton-Hick’s contractions differ from real contractions?

Braxton Hicks’ contractions are irregular, occur only in the belly, and usually feel like something hardening in the tummy. They are not painful and often occur four to five in a row and then disappear.

True contractions, on the other hand, occur at regular intervals and get stronger and painful with time. Additionally, they start at the back and gradually spread in the abdomen area (4).

2. How to determine I am in labour based on contractions?

If your pregnancy contraction timer is concluding your contractions at three to four minutes apart at regular intervals, which don’t seem to diminish even when lying, walking, or changing position, it could indicate the onset of labour. It is a good time to visit the hospital or contact your gynaecologist (5).

3. What are the signs of going into labour?

The beginning of labour could feel like period pain, ranging from mild to severe. The intensity of pain varies with women. You may have cramps, backache, heaviness or pain in the lower belly, your water breaks, or have a bloody show (5).

A contraction calculator is a handy device that apprises a pregnant woman about the false and real contractions she experiences. It also aids your family doctor in assessing the situation better and guides you on the timing of heading to the hospital.

Also Read:

Reverse Due Date Calculator
Calculating Pregnancy Due Date
Contraction Stress Test while Pregnant
How To Calculate Pregnancy By Weeks, Months, & Trimesters?

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Sources References

1. MedlinePlus – Am I in labor?

2. UCSF – Recognizing Premature Labor

3. Mayo Clinic – Preterm labour

4. NIH – Other Labor and Delivery FAQs

5. Familydoctor.org – How Do I Know I’m in Labor?