How do I time contractions?

Frequency (interval) runs from the start of one contraction to the start of the next; length runs from its start to its end. In Nestwave you tap once at the start and once at the end, and both are calculated for you.

What is the 5-1-1 rule?

Contractions about 5 minutes apart, each lasting about 1 minute, for at least 1 hour. Some hospitals and midwives use 4-1-1 or 3-1-1 instead, so Nestwave lets you choose. Always follow your own care team's instructions on when to come in.

Does the app tell me when to go to the hospital?

No. Nestwave is not a medical device and does not diagnose or predict labor. When your pattern gets close to the rule you picked, it shows a small card suggesting you contact your hospital or midwife. If you are worried, call them right away, whatever the numbers say.

Can it tell Braxton Hicks from real contractions?

No. It shows whether contractions are getting closer and longer, but only your care team can tell. Bleeding, your water breaking or fewer baby movements mean you should call right away.

Will ads or pop-ups interrupt me while timing?

No full-screen ads, review requests or verdict screens appear while a contraction session is running.

Can I add a contraction I forgot to time?

Yes. Add past contractions or edit date, time and seconds, and every interval is recalculated on save.

Can I send my log to my doula or midwife?

Yes. Share a text summary — count in the last hour, average interval and length, and the log — by any messenger or text.

Is there a dark mode?

Yes. Light, dark or follow system, with large numbers you can read in a dark room.

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How to time contractions: frequency vs. length

Contraction frequency (the interval) is the time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Contraction length (duration) is the time from the start of a contraction to its end. Measuring from the end of one to the start of the next gives you the rest period instead, which makes contractions look further apart than they are — so always time start to start.

Step by step

Note the time the moment your belly tightens or the pain begins.
Note the time when it eases off. The difference is the length.
When the next one begins, note the start again. The gap between the two starts is the frequency.
Watch the pattern for about an hour, not a single contraction. What matters is whether they get closer together and longer.

Example log

Frequency is start-to-start; length is start-to-end.

Start	End	Length	Frequency
2:00:00	2:00:50	50 s	—
2:06:00	2:07:00	1 min	6 min
2:11:30	2:12:30	1 min	5 min 30 s
2:16:30	2:17:40	1 min 10 s	5 min

Common mistakes

Timing the rest period instead of start-to-start, skipping a missed contraction so the interval looks doubled, and rounding times while half-asleep. Being able to add and edit entries afterwards keeps the pattern honest.

In Nestwave

Tap the big button when a contraction starts and again when it ends; frequency and length are calculated for you. You see a live 'since last contraction' clock and last-hour averages, and if you add or edit a past contraction every interval is recalculated. Share a text summary with your partner, doula or midwife.

Important

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or midwife about when to come in and whether what you feel is normal. If you have bleeding, leaking fluid, fewer baby movements, severe pain, or you are simply worried, contact your hospital or midwife right away, whatever the numbers say.

Tap at the start, tap at the end. The app does the math

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