Contraction timer app: time your contractions on iPhone
PreBaby's own timer, plus six dedicated contraction timer apps for iPhone, compared on what their own App Store listings say: rating and number of ratings, price, languages, when they were last updated, and which of the things you'd want from a timer — a history, frequency and duration, notes, export, Apple Watch, and whether it claims to tell you when to go — each one lists.
We make PreBaby, one of the 7. It is listed first so you know where we stand; then come the six dedicated timer apps, in order of how many US ratings they have. We did not run hands-on tests for this page — everything about the other apps comes from their App Store listings on 2 October 2026, linked below.
How PreBaby's contraction timer works
Open the timer and tap once when a contraction starts, then tap again when it ends. PreBaby saves each one with its start time, how long it lasted, and the interval since the start of the previous contraction — the start-to-start gap your midwife will ask about — and lists the last four on screen. The timer keeps running if you leave the screen, so switching away to call someone or check another part of the app does not lose it.
An in-app note is deliberately plain about what the timer does not do: it does not diagnose labour and it does not decide when to go in — that is between you and your own birth team. A Support info button in the app opens urgent-help guidance for exactly that reason.
The timer is free, works offline, does not need an account, and has no ads.
Download PreBaby free on iPhone 
Get it onGoogle Play More about the pregnancy tracker app →
How to time a contraction
Frequency is the time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next, not from the end of one to the start of the next. If one begins at 2:00 and the next begins at 2:07, they are seven minutes apart, however long the pause between them felt. Length (sometimes called duration) is how long a single contraction lasts, from the first tightening to the point where the muscle fully relaxes.
Time several contractions in a row rather than judging from one, since early contractions are often irregular — what matters more is whether they are getting longer, stronger and closer together over time. Our guide on when to go to hospital with contractions walks through this in more detail, including the commonly taught 5-1-1 pattern and what to have ready when you call.
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
NHS guidance on the signs that labour has begun suggests calling your midwife or maternity unit once contractions come in a regular pattern, using a rough guide of contractions that last around 60 seconds and come roughly every five minutes.
That guide is overridden by a short list of situations. Contact your midwife, maternity unit or doctor immediately, at any hour, whatever your timer shows, if:
- Your waters break, or you think fluid is leaking, especially if it is green, brown or bloodstained.
- You have any vaginal bleeding.
- Your baby's movements slow down, change or stop.
- You have severe or constant abdominal pain that does not come and go.
- You have a severe headache, changes in your vision, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet.
- You have a fever or feel generally very unwell.
- You feel the urge to push, or the birth feels imminent.
- Regular tightenings or cramping start before 37 weeks.
None of these wait for a five-minute pattern. And above all, follow your own midwife or maternity unit's instructions if they differ from any of this — a previous fast labour, distance from the unit, twins, or a condition in your notes can change the advice completely.
Source: NHS — Signs that labour has begun.
Quick picks: which contraction timer for what
- A free timer already inside the pregnancy tracker you may already be using PreBaby (ours)
- Its listing calls it the most downloaded contraction timer in the world; it also has the most US ratings here (68,931) Contraction Timer & Counter 9m
- A visual history of every contraction, plus an Apple Watch companion app Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry
- 5-1-1 alerts and the longest feature list on paper Full Term
- A simple, no-ads timer that explains the numbers as you go Storky
- The fewest extras, if you just want a stopwatch for two numbers Contraction Timer & Tracker by Wachanga
- Real-time sharing with a partner, doula or midwife, plus Apple Watch Bump Pulse
The 7 apps side by side
US App Store, 2 October 2026. Ratings are out of 5.
| App | Type | Rating | Ratings | Price | Languages | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PreBaby | Part of a pregnancy app | — | None in the US yet | Free | 14 | 29 Sept 2026 |
| Contraction Timer & Counter 9m | Stand-alone timer | 4.8 | 68,931 | Free | 32 | 10 Jul 2026 |
| Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry | Stand-alone timer | 4.6 | 50,027 | Free | 1 | 29 Sept 2026 |
| Full Term | Stand-alone timer | 4.7 | 7,221 | Free | 1 | 25 Sept 2019 |
| Storky | Stand-alone timer | 4.8 | 1,905 | Free | 7 | 11 Sept 2025 |
| Contraction Timer & Tracker by Wachanga | Stand-alone timer | 4.8 | 1,349 | Free | 26 | 2 Oct 2026 |
| Bump Pulse | Stand-alone timer | 4.7 | 67 | Free | 31 | 20 Sept 2026 |
What each listing says it has
✓ means the app's own App Store description names it. A dash means the description does not mention it — the app may still have it, so check the listing if it matters to you.
| App | History of past contractions | Frequency + duration shown | Notes on a contraction | Export or share | Apple Watch | Says when it may be time to go |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PreBaby | ✓ Last 4 shown | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
| Contraction Timer & Counter 9m | — | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ Notifies you when it may be time to go |
| Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ Graphs and averages to help decide when to go |
| Full Term | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ 5-1-1 alerts, customizable | |
| Storky | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ Email or share overview | — | ✓ Tells you when the baby might be on the way |
| Contraction Timer & Tracker by Wachanga | — | — | — | — | — | ✓ Tells you the stage of labor |
| Bump Pulse | ✓ Smart timeline | ✓ | — | ✓ Real-time sharing | ✓ | ✓ Summaries to help you know when it may be time |
The apps, one by one
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1 PreBabyOur app
Best for: a free timer already inside the pregnancy tracker you may already be using.
Tap once when a contraction starts and again when it ends. Each one is saved with its start time, how long it lasted, and the interval since the start of the previous contraction, with the last four shown on screen. The timer keeps running if you leave the screen.
An in-app note says the timer does not diagnose labour or decide when to go in — that is between you and your own birth team — and a Support info button opens urgent-help guidance instead. Part of the free PreBaby app, not a stand-alone download; no US App Store ratings yet; works offline, no ads, account optional. The listing does not mention Apple Watch. Also on Google Play for Android since October 2026.
Pregnancy Tracker: PreBaby · Ridvan Uyan · no US ratings yet · 14 languages · updated 29 Sept 2026
Download PreBaby free on iPhone
Get it onGoogle Play What the PreBaby pregnancy tracker app does → -
2 Contraction Timer & Counter 9m
Best for: an app whose own listing calls it the most downloaded contraction timer in the world; it also has the most US ratings here (68,931).
A single button starts and stops the timing of each contraction. The app analyzes duration and frequency and says it will notify you when it is time to go to the hospital; for a home birth, it says it will tell you what stage of labor you are in.
First released in 2014. The listing says its recommendations are based on standard indicators, that labour may occur differently, and not to rely on the app exclusively.
Contraction Timer & Counter 9m · Aleksei Neiman · 4.8★ from 68,931 US ratings · 32 languages · updated 10 Jul 2026
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3 Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry
Best for: a visual history and graphs of your contractions, plus an Apple Watch companion app.
One tap starts timing a contraction and a second tap stops it; the app calculates duration, intervals and frequency, and shows a clear visual history of every contraction on one screen with colour-coded intensity. You can add a personal note to any contraction, and it includes a hospital bag checklist and pain-relief exercises.
The listing is English only. The listing says a Premium subscription is $19.99/year (renewal stated on a $1.99/week basis) and "You can try free trial with all features available"; it does not say which features stay free.
Contraction Timer ＆ Tracker · Going Merry LLC · 4.6★ from 50,027 US ratings · 1 language · updated 29 Sept 2026
Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry on the App Store ↗
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4 Full Term
Best for: the longest feature list on paper: 5-1-1 alerts, Apple Watch and emailed history.
One button tracks the start and end of each contraction. It keeps your full contraction history in chronological or reverse order, lets you set alerts based on the 5-1-1 rule or your own numbers, and includes a kick counter and a weight tracker. Your contraction history can be emailed to a health care professional.
Last updated September 2019 — that is over a year ago, in fact over six years ago. The listing names Apple Watch support, but does not say whether it still works with current watchOS. The app is English only.
Full Term - Contraction Timer · Mustansir Golawala · 4.7★ from 7,221 US ratings · 1 language · updated 25 Sept 2019
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5 Storky
Best for: a no-ads timer that explains the contraction basics as you go.
One tap starts measuring a contraction, another stops it and starts measuring the interval. It shows contraction and interval lengths in one place, keeps previous monitoring so you and your doctor can see progress, and lets you send an overview by email or through another app.
Last updated September 2025 — over a year before this comparison. Made by TappyTaps, which also makes the Bibino baby monitor app. No ads, per the listing.
Storky - Contraction Timer · TappyTaps s.r.o. · 4.8★ from 1,905 US ratings · 7 languages · updated 11 Sept 2025
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6 Contraction Timer & Tracker by Wachanga
Best for: a bare-bones timer, if you want the fewest named extras.
Times your contractions and says it will tell you what stage of labor you are in. The listing is short and does not name a history view, notes, export or Apple Watch support.
The listing states plainly that the app does not provide medical advice and that labour may occur differently from its indicators.
Contraction Timer & Tracker · Wachanga LTD · 4.8★ from 1,349 US ratings · 26 languages · updated 2 Oct 2026
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7 Bump Pulse
Best for: real-time sharing with a partner, doula or midwife, plus Apple Watch.
A single tap logs each contraction and instantly shows duration, frequency and patterns. It can share your real-time progress with your partner, doula or midwife, works from the Lock Screen, Siri and widgets, and tracks contractions from Apple Watch including start/stop controls and recent contractions.
First released May 2025. The fewest US ratings of the seven apps here (67). No ads and no subscription, per the listing.
Bump Pulse: Contraction Timer · AURIMAS PRUSOVAS · 4.7★ from 67 US ratings · 31 languages · updated 20 Sept 2026
How we picked these 7
We searched the US App Store for "contraction timer" and checked who else recommends one, including a list published by Baby Chick, an independent site, on 24 July 2026. The six dedicated timers on this page are the ones that kept turning up: Contraction Timer & Counter 9m, Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry, Full Term, Storky, Contraction Timer & Tracker by Wachanga and Bump Pulse. PreBaby is not a dedicated timer app — it is here because we make it, and it says so above.
Then we took every number from Apple's public App Store lookup for the US store on 2 October 2026, and counted a feature only if the app's own description names it. We have not tested the other apps hands-on for this page, and we have not scored them: ratings shown are their App Store ratings, not ours. App Store numbers move every day, so check the listing before you decide.
What to look for in a contraction timer app
- Whether you already have one. Most pregnancy apps include a contraction timer: 6 of the 8 apps in our comparison of the best pregnancy tracker apps for iPhone list one, PreBaby included. A dedicated app is worth adding only for something yours does not list. The same is true of a kick counter — see our kick counter app page if you are comparing those too.
- Whether it shows frequency and duration for you. Six of the seven listings say they calculate frequency and duration; check the listing if you want more than that, such as trends over several hours.
- Whether it works offline. Hospital corridors and waiting rooms often have poor signal, and that is where you will want your record.
- Where your data goes. Check whether the app needs an account, whether it shows ads, and whether you can export or share your contraction history with a midwife or birth partner.
- Whether it claims to tell you when to go to hospital. Several listings here say the app will notify you or tell you what stage of labour you are in. That decision is ultimately a conversation with your own midwife or maternity unit, not a number on a screen — see when to go to hospital with contractions.
- When it was last updated. Two of the six dedicated timers here have not been updated in over a year.
Questions about contraction timer apps
Is there a free contraction timer app?
Yes. All 7 apps on this page are free to download from the App Store. PreBaby's timer is part of the free PreBaby app. Bump Pulse's listing says no subscriptions. Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry lists a Premium subscription at $19.99 a year with a free trial. Contraction Timer & Counter 9m, Full Term, Storky and Contraction Timer & Tracker by Wachanga do not say in their description which features, if any, sit behind a subscription — check each listing's in-app purchases.
Do I need a separate contraction timer app if my pregnancy app already has one?
Usually not. 6 of the 8 pregnancy tracker apps we compared on our best pregnancy tracker apps page list a contraction timer, PreBaby included, so most people already have one without installing anything extra. A dedicated app may add things like Apple Watch support, graphs or alerts that your pregnancy app's timer does not list — compare what each one names before you decide you need both.
Does a contraction timer app work on Apple Watch?
Only from what each listing itself says: Contraction Timer & Tracker by Going Merry, Full Term and Bump Pulse name Apple Watch support in their App Store description. Contraction Timer & Counter 9m, Storky, Contraction Timer & Tracker by Wachanga and PreBaby do not mention Apple Watch in theirs, so check the current listing if that matters to you — a feature can be added or dropped between updates.
How do I time a contraction?
Time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next for frequency, and from the first tightening to full relaxation for a single contraction's length. Do this for several contractions in a row rather than judging from one, since early contractions are often irregular. Our guide on when to go to hospital with contractions walks through this with the commonly taught 5-1-1 pattern and its limits.
When should I go to hospital?
NHS guidance on the signs that labour has begun suggests calling your midwife or maternity unit once contractions come in a regular pattern, using a rough guide of contractions lasting around 60 seconds and arriving roughly every five minutes. That guide is overridden by a short list of situations — including waters breaking, bleeding and reduced movements — where you call immediately regardless of timing, and by your own maternity team's instructions if they differ from either.
Is a contraction timer medical advice?
No. A contraction timer, PreBaby's included, is a tool for recording what you feel; it does not diagnose labour or tell you what to do. PreBaby says this plainly in the app. Deciding when to call or go in is a conversation with your own midwife or maternity unit, and anything that worries you is a reason to contact them rather than to check an app.
This page compares apps; it is not medical advice. No app replaces your midwife or doctor, and anything that worries you is a reason to call them, not to check a timer.