-
Carea, the pregnancy and postnatal wellbeing app, has launched its new Contraction Timer, combining intelligent labour pattern analysis, real-time birth insights and integrated wellbeing tools
-
Research shows fear and anxiety during labour can affect birth experiences and labour progression, highlighting the need for greater support during childbirth[1]
-
The new feature, developed with input from Carea users and midwife advisors, has been designed to help women feel calmer and more confident during labour, particularly in the early stages when many are at home without direct clinical support
The feature has been developed as a digital birth companion, combining contraction tracking, intelligent labour pattern analysis, hypnobirthing audio and positive birth affirmations within a single experience that supports women during one of the most physically and emotionally exhausting experiences of their lives.
Women begin timing by tapping a central button when a contraction starts and again when it eases. The app automatically records contraction duration, intervals and averages, building a real-time picture of labour progression. A contractions log allows women, birth partners and healthcare professionals to quickly understand how labour is developing.
The timer also analyses contraction patterns in real time, identifying when contractions become more regular, frequent and sustained. When labour appears to be progressing, the app provides a clear and compassionate notification encouraging women to review their birth plan or contact their healthcare provider.
Uncertainty during labour
The Carea Contraction Timer was developed to tackle some of the most common challenges women face during labour, including uncertainty about when to seek support and the anxiety that can come with labouring at home.
Guidance such as the 5-1-1 rule, which recommends contacting maternity services when contractions occur every five minutes, last for one minute and continue for at least an hour, can be a useful indicator of active labour. However, tracking contractions accurately in real time is often easier said than done. It means many women arrive at hospital too early and are sent home, while others delay seeking support because they are unsure whether labour has progressed far enough.
By automatically analysing contraction patterns and presenting information in a clear, easy-to-understand format, Carea helps remove some of that guesswork, giving women and their birth partners greater confidence in deciding when to review their birth plan or contact a healthcare provider.
The feature also brings together tools that are often spread across multiple apps, combining contraction timing, hypnobirthing audio, birth affirmations and labour guidance all in one place.
Supporting women’s emotional wellbeing
Research shows that fear, anxiety and emotional distress are common during labour and can affect both the experience of birth and labour progression[1]. But addressing these emotional needs through timely support and reassurance can help reduce psychological distress and contribute to more positive outcomes for mothers and their babies[2].
While contraction timing is one of the most commonly used labour tools, most existing apps function as little more than stopwatches. Carea was designed to go further by combining practical labour tracking with emotional support and real-time labour pattern analysis, which provides personalised guidance when it matters most.
The development of the Carea Contraction Timer was also heavily influenced by feedback from Carea’s user community, with women consistently asking for more than a simple contraction timer.
The Carea Contraction Timer is now available through the latest version of the Carea app on the App Store and Google Play.