Carea, the pregnancy and postnatal wellbeing app, has launched its new Contraction Timer designed to support women during labour through a combination of contraction tracking, labour pattern analysis and wellbeing tools.
While contraction timers are among the most commonly used digital tools during labour, many simply track timings and offer little additional support. Carea’s Contraction Timer has been developed as an all-in-one birth companion to help women feel calmer, more in control and able to make informed decisions as labour progresses.
Women can track their contractions using the timer, while the app automatically records contraction duration, intervals and averages. Through intelligent labour pattern analysis, it builds a real-time picture of labour progression and provides prompts when labour appears to be advancing, helping users decide when to review their birth plan or contact maternity services.
Alongside contraction tracking, the feature incorporates hypnobirthing audio and birth affirmations designed to help women feel calmer and more in control during labour, bringing together tools that are often accessed across multiple platforms.
The launch reflects growing demand for digital maternity tools that support women during birth, particularly in the early stages when many are at home and have limited contact with healthcare professionals.
Research shows fear, anxiety and psychological distress can influence labour progression and women’s experiences of birth, while timely support and reassurance have been associated with improved maternal wellbeing and more positive experiences.
Developed in collaboration with Carea’s midwife advisors, the Contraction Timer includes a provider-friendly summary view that presents contraction frequency, duration and interval data in a clear, clinically relevant format, supporting conversations between women, birth partners and maternity teams.
The feature was also shaped by feedback from Carea’s user community, with many requesting a more comprehensive labour support tool that could reduce the need to switch between multiple apps during labour.
Anastasia Shubareva-Epshtein, founder and CEO of Carea, said: “My own experience with antenatal depression highlighted how important it is for women to feel informed and supported throughout pregnancy and birth. With the Contraction Timer, we wanted to move beyond the traditional stopwatch model by combining contraction tracking, labour pattern analysis and wellbeing support in one place. By providing women with clearer insights into labour progression and helping them make informed decisions about when to contact healthcare providers, we hope to support both maternal wellbeing and the overall birth experience.”
Clarissa Battaglino, founder and head of midwifery at The Motherhood Practice and an advisor to Carea and partner for Carea Connect, said: “For many expectant parents, one of the most challenging aspects is recognising patterns in contractions and understanding when it may be time to head to the hospital. Tools like this can help users track frequency and progression more clearly, offering reassurance and structure during what can be an uncertain stage of labour. I also appreciate the inclusion of hypnobirthing features, which may support women in managing contraction pain through breathing, relaxation and focused coping strategies. Integrating these techniques into a single platform reflects a more comprehensive understanding of labour support.”
The Carea Contraction Timer is now available through the latest version of the Carea app.
