Contraction Timer Apps?

ashleymercado88 · September 2016

I thought I would try a contraction timer this time around with DD so I won't be so late getting to the birth center like I was with DS#2 at 8 cm!
Any recommendations on a good app?

Megz1902 · September 2016

The instructor for my childbirth class recommended one called "full term"

MissAmeliaPond · September 2016

Due to the amount of Braxton Hicks contractions I have on a daily basis, I've been using the "Full Term" app to track them, just to make sure they don't become regular or too close together. It's a good app, and I'm able to delete all the data from tracking the BH when I don't need to look at it anymore. The long name of the app in the app store is Full Term - Labor Contraction Timer, Pregnancy Reference.

Knottie1458416769 · September 2016

How do you use an app if yo don't even know what a contraction feels like? I don't wanna miss out but have no idea when one starts or feels like

ashleymercado88 · September 2016

Knottie1458416769 said:

How do you use an app if yo don't even know what a contraction feels like? I don't wanna miss out but have no idea when one starts or feels like

The best description I have heard is that they are like super strong menstrual cramps. I think theBump.com said they start high on your abdomen, then radiate down, and go to your back. I've heard the progression of the "wave" of pain goes the opposite way. And they aren't always at regular intervals as I found out in early labor with DS2, hence, I thought I wasn't in labor.

MollySm · September 2016

You've just gotta guess to use an app. It's not always particularly clear, especially the start and stop time. But as you contract, you'll get used to what your contractions feel like, and can just try and be consistent about how you time them, even if you don't know the right way. It's all a guessing game at the end!

MissAmeliaPond · September 2016

In the Full Term app, you literally push start when you feel one starting, and push stop when it's over. Yes, you're still guessing until they become painfully obvious, but at least you're not bogged down with having to check the time on the clock and pull out a stop watch to record the time and duration of the contraction in a notebook. The app does that part for you, and will tell you how long it's been since the last one. If real contractions are anything like BH (I don't know yet, FTM), you might be able to palpate your abdomen, and if it's rock hard, it's a contraction. My belly always softens when a BH is over.

jarethinafrock · September 2016

ashleymercado88 said:

Knottie1458416769 said:

How do you use an app if yo don't even know what a contraction feels like? I don't wanna miss out but have no idea when one starts or feels like

The best description I have heard is that they are like super strong menstrual cramps. I think theBump.com said they start high on your abdomen, then radiate down, and go to your back. I've heard the progression of the "wave" of pain goes the opposite way. And they aren't always at regular intervals as I found out in early labor with DS2, hence, I thought I wasn't in labor.

This. To me they felt like the worst period cramps ever. I wish someone had told me that ahead of time so I'd have known what to expect.

hollowway · September 2016

My contractions were ONLY in my lower abdomen, like where period cramps are, but so intense, deep and strong that they made me lose my breath and want to vomit. No back or upper abdomen pain. So it's definitely dependent on you and your body.

Greencows4812 · September 2016

I've been using Full Term as well and it's super easy. Contractions felt like menstrual cramps but I didn't have any with my firs tuntil labor started. My second gave me some super early ones and they felt more like gas pains or the twinges you'd get a day or two before your period. Noticeable but not super painful. He was breech so I was hyper aware of any contractions to avoid water breaking.

Is everyone timing BH too or just "real" contractions?

ashleymercado88 · September 2016

Just real for me.

TheBorg7of9 · September 2016

Knottie1458416769 said:

How do you use an app if yo don't even know what a contraction feels like? I don't wanna miss out but have no idea when one starts or feels like

Mine felt like diarrhea cramps but without the pooping. I had them for an hour before I realized I didn't have to poop and they were contractions.

MissAmeliaPond · September 2016

@Greencows4812 I'm only timing BH on days when I have A LOT of them. Some days I have a dozen or more, so I time them to make sure I don't have more than 6 in an hour (I've never had more than 3 in an hour so far - knock on wood!). Usually if I notice BH have been 15-20 min apart, I will start timing. Just want to be prepared if we need to get down to L&D!

tigerfish227 · September 2016

TheBorg7of9 said:

Knottie1458416769 said:

How do you use an app if yo don't even know what a contraction feels like? I don't wanna miss out but have no idea when one starts or feels like

Mine felt like diarrhea cramps but without the pooping. I had them for an hour before I realized I didn't have to poop and they were contractions.

I may have had a couple contractions the other day off that's the case... Meanwhile this was me...

MollySm · September 2016

Greencows4812 said:

I've been using Full Term as well and it's super easy. Contractions felt like menstrual cramps but I didn't have any with my firs tuntil labor started. My second gave me some super early ones and they felt more like gas pains or the twinges you'd get a day or two before your period. Noticeable but not super painful. He was breech so I was hyper aware of any contractions to avoid water breaking.

Is everyone timing BH too or just "real" contractions?

Just real.

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