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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Can anyone recommend the best app for timing contractions?

41 replies

StarlessSea123 · 16/02/2022 21:09

Was just wondering if anyone can recommend a good one? Or is it best to just time them the old-fashioned way?

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 16/02/2022 21:28

They are all pretty much the same, I can't remember what the one I had was called with DS2 but it had like a circle counting down to the minute which was really helpful as something to focus on. I didn't have that feature with DS3 though and it didn't seem to matter that time. I wasn't quite going with the peak thing that time for some reason.

I found the app so much easier than trying to time it manually. Unless you get your birth partner to time them for you.

You don't need to time every single contraction, just a few every so often to have an idea of how far apart they are and whether they're getting closer together :)

BertieBotts · 16/02/2022 21:28

Test it out beforehand, you need one that won't throw up a giant loud full screen ad at you randomly.

Original poster
StarlessSea123 · 16/02/2022 21:36

Thanks @BertieBotts I’ll maybe test a few of them out then, good point about the ads. Probably will get DH to try a few as well as he’ll maybe take over the timing of them depending how I feel Grin

OP posts:
Shadappayourface · 16/02/2022 21:37

I'm going to use the Freya app

stripey1 · 16/02/2022 21:51

I used Freya and liked it. But i hear you can get tens machines with contraction timers built in and that sounds good, less machines to fiddle with on each contraction.

Original poster
StarlessSea123 · 16/02/2022 22:01

Thanks @Shadappayourface and @stripey1 I had been looking at Freya there! Will defs try it out, thanks everyone

OP posts:
HeresMyName1 · 16/02/2022 22:16

This might be a stupid question but why do you time them? I’ve had two dc and waiting a 3rd but never done an antenatal class.

BillyBarryBoo · 16/02/2022 22:19

The Gentle Birth contraction timer talks you through the contractions which is nice

Original poster
StarlessSea123 · 16/02/2022 22:21

@HeresMyName1 this will be my first so I’ve no prior experience to speak of, but where I live (not mainland UK) the hospital tells you to come in when contractions are x minutes apart usually

OP posts:
HeresMyName1 · 16/02/2022 22:41

Ah that is useful , yes. Thank you

Original poster
StarlessSea123 · 16/02/2022 22:59

Thanks everyone for your suggestions Smile

OP posts:
Sh05 · 16/02/2022 23:05

I think I used the first one that came up on Google play. It looked that the voice recorder apps that we have on Android phones.
I remember every time I pressed stop it recorded how long it lasted then also how long between contractions.

annlee3817 · 17/02/2022 06:52

If you've got a pregnancy app they usually have a contraction timer, I've got the ovia app and it has one, it's what I used in my last pregnancy, and DH managed the timer

becca3210 · 17/02/2022 06:56

Would recommend the positive birth company Freya app

Doidontimmm · 17/02/2022 07:07

Omg there is an app for contractions? God I feel old!!! (Youngest is 18!).

thebigpurpleone · 17/02/2022 07:31

Freya

thebigpurpleone · 17/02/2022 08:21

Freya even tells you when to go to the hospital

Bitofachinwag · 17/02/2022 08:27

@Doidontimmm

Omg there is an app for contractions? God I feel old!!! (Youngest is 18!).
Me too. Just time them the old fashioned way. You really don't need an app for this.
thebigpurpleone · 17/02/2022 08:44

No need to sneer! It was nice that my husband could do other things to help me than time it. Freya also coaches you through your breathing. I did the positive birth company course before and I had an amazing birth.

youngestisapsycho · 17/02/2022 09:04

I just used the timer on my phone.

Michellexxx · 17/02/2022 09:07

Also used Freya. Was particularly helpful because I was induced and so had to time contractions alone. The music/counting down with you was also helpful.

Pyri · 17/02/2022 09:11

I loved Freya, all the positive affirmation stuff was so calming and I loved being able to see the track of how long the contractions were / how close together

When it tells you you’re in active labour and to go to hospital…. It’s an amazing feeling!

Pyri · 17/02/2022 09:12

Me too. Just time them the old fashioned way. You really don't need an app for this.

If you never used an app so have no idea of the additional features beyond just a timer then why think your version is better @Bitofachinwag?

Shadappayourface · 17/02/2022 12:37

@Pyri

Me too. Just time them the old fashioned way. You really don't need an app for this.

If you never used an app so have no idea of the additional features beyond just a timer then why think your version is better @Bitofachinwag?

Cause "back in er day..."
Floofsquidge · 17/02/2022 12:51

For those saying they don't see the point / didn't have it in their day... just because you didn't need it, it doesn't mean it's not useful.

I used a very simple app (contraction timer) when I was induced and being able to touch a button to start and stop and have record of them all, was pretty invaluable to my partner & I to prove I really was having constant contractions with very little interval (I had a reaction to the pessary).