Understanding your Labour Stats

Data can be empowering. When you're in the thick of it, it's hard to remember if the last contraction was 5 minutes ago or 15. Fern Labour visualizes your progress so you, and your support team, can see the story of your labour unfolding.

Here is how to read the signals.

The Chart: Your Labour at a Glance

The main stat you'll look at is the Contraction Chart. It might look like just a scattering of dots, but each one holds three pieces of information:

1. Height (Duration): The higher the dot, the longer the contraction lasted. You'll see dashed red lines marking 1-minute intervals to help you gauge this quickly.
2. Position (Frequency): The horizontal distance between dots represents the rest time. As dots get closer together, your frequency is increasing.
3. Color (Intensity):
   • 🟢 Green: Mild (0-3)
   • 🟡 Yellow: Moderate (4-7)
   • 🔴 Red: Strong (8-10)

The 3 Signs of Progress

You don't need to be a statistician. You just need to look for these three visual trends that typically indicate active labour is establishing:

1. Dots moving UP: Your contractions are getting longer.
2. Dots CLUSTERING: Your contractions are getting closer together (frequency increasing).
3. Dots turning RED: The intensity is building.

Seeing a chart that shifts from low, scattered green dots to a tight line of high red dots is a powerful confirmation that your body is doing exactly what it needs to do.

Filtering the Noise

Labour can be long. Looking at 12 hours of early labour data might not tell you much about what's happening right now.

Use the tabs at the top of the stats page to filter your view:

• Past 30 Mins / 60 Mins: These focused views are crucial for active labour. They help you answer the "is it time to go?" question by showing only the most recent pattern.
• All: Shows your complete history, useful for seeing the overall trajectory.

Key Metrics Defined

Above the chart, you'll see simple averages. Here is what they mean:

• Frequency: The average time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. This is usually the first number a midwife asks for.
• Duration: How long the squeeze lasts on average.
• Intensity: Your average pain rating.
• Count: The total number of contractions in the selected period.

A Note for Partners

This screen is a superpower for birth partners. If the birthing person is losing focus or feeling discouraged, showing them the visual proof of their progress, or simply knowing the pattern yourself so you can confidently say "you're doing amazing, they are getting stronger", can be incredibly grounding.