Using the Contraction Tracker

When labour starts, time can feel like it's doing strange things. Minutes stretch into hours, and hours fly by in seconds. Keeping track of your contractions is the single best way to understand where you are in the process, but wrestling with a complex app is the last thing you need.

That's why we designed Fern Labour's tracker to be used with your eyes closed (almost).

The Two-Tap System

Tracking should be instinctual.

• Tap 1: When a wave starts, hit the big "Start Contraction" button.
• Tap 2: When it fades, hit "End Contraction".

That's it. The app handles the math, calculating the duration and the frequency (the time from the start of one to the start of the next).

Measuring Intensity

Not all contractions are created equal. As labour progresses, they will likely get stronger. Fern Labour lets you track this evolution using a simple intensity slider.

• Mild (0-3): You can walk and talk through these. They feel like strong period cramps.
• Moderate (4-7): You need to stop what you're doing and focus. Breathing requires attention.
• Strong (8-10): These demand your full concentration. You might feel an urge to push or make noise.

You can slide the intensity bar while the contraction is ticking or adjust it afterwards. Don't worry about being perfectly precise, it's the trend that matters.

In the Moment

We know that staring at a screen isn't helpful when you're surging. When a contraction is active, the app switches to a focused, high-contrast mode with a clear timer and a simple reminder: "Breathe slowly and steadily."

Between contractions, we'll show you exactly how long it's been since the last one finished, giving you a clear sense of your rest periods.

Oops, I messed up!

Did you forget to hit stop? Or maybe you tapped start by accident? It happens to everyone.

You can easily fix your history:

• Quick Fix: Tap any bar on the mini-chart to instantly edit or delete that contraction.
• Full History: Tap "View history" to see your entire timeline. From here, you can tweak start times, end times, or intensity levels for any entry.

Trust the Pattern

The goal isn't to track every single twinge perfectly continuously for 24 hours. It's to find the pattern. Track for a while to see what's happening, then put the phone down and rest if you need to. The app will be ready when you pick it up again.