Timing Contractions

The purpose behind timing surges is simply to give an idea of whether or not labor has actually begun, and if so, how it is progressing. If you are going to birth in a location other than home, this is useful in helping you gauge when you should leave for your birth location.

Remember to keep your caregiver informed and involved in the decision making process.

If you are having surges that do not change in length, intensity or frequency by changing activity, you may want to time them to see if ‘this is it’. (i.e. if you have been sleeping, get up and walk around; if you have been active, lay down or take a bath) If labor has actually begun, the surges will start coming closer together, increasing in strength or lasting a bit longer. Hospitals usually say to come in when they are 5 min. apart (the information they are requesting is what is recorded in the ‘start’ column). If you go in sooner, they may send you home. Keep in mind that the pattern may change when you reach your destination as your body reacts to a change in location the way any other mammal does…with stress hormones. This may slow or stop your labor for a while.

If you plan to labor at home with a labor assistant, moving to the hospital only for the last bit of labor and the actual birth, you will have to also use a guide pre-arranged with your care provider.

You should only need to time the surges for a short period…less than an hour…to see a pattern. Charting for longer than this is unnecessary. Focusing on early labor makes it seem longer and prevents you from resting. If the surges are irregular and there are less than 12 in an hour, you may want to do something to take your mind off early labor. Some ideas besides resting could include walking, seeing a movie, shopping, napping, cooking or baking. When you feel there is a change, time a few more and see if you are correct. If the surges are more intense or closer together (but still only 5 min. or more apart) even though it isn’t time to go, you may want to begin your self-hypnosis so that you may remain comfortable.

Following the example is space for you to use in labor.

Time from the start of one surge to the start of the next, using the second hand of a clock or watch. Rounding to the next number is adequate. You are looking at the big picture, so approximation will do fine.

Remember that the first column on the far left is all you really need…the rest is optional.

Start End (optional) Rating 1=mild 10=strong (optional)

2:56 pm 2:57 7

3:05 3:05:45 2

3:11 3:12 7

3:15 3:15:30 5

3:23 3:23:55 2

3:34 3:35 2

3:37 3:37:20 1

3:45 3:46 6

3:55 3:56 4

In this example, there were 9 surges in one hour ranging from 3 min. apart to 10 min. apart. Some were mild and only 20 sec. in duration, some were stronger and a full minute long (or close to it.)

This couple might conclude that they are in early labor and find some activity to pass the time. They would resume timing later when the mother thinks that the surges are changing in character.

Start End 1-10 Intensity Rating Comments

----------------- ----------------- ---------------

---------------- ----------------- --------------

Date: Surges are ____ Minutes apart (from the start of one to the start of the next) and ____ Sec. Long

Start End 1-10 Rating

----------------- ----------------- --------------

Date: Surges are ____ Minutes apart (from the start of one to the start of the next) and ______ Sec. Long

[Copyright Kim Wildner, CCE, 2000. Permission to print for personal use only is granted by the author. This handout is provided as an adjunct to a CBE class with a certified instructor and should only be used in accordance with a capable care provider’s direction. The author assumes no liability for its use]

Return to Woman's Wisdom Home Page