Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 5-1-1 rule?
The 5-1-1 rule is a guideline from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for knowing when to go to the hospital during labor. It means contractions are coming every 5 minutes, lasting at least 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. Vera tracks this pattern automatically and alerts you when your contractions match it. Always confirm with your provider what threshold is right for you.
How do I use Vera to track contractions?
Tap the circle when a contraction starts, and tap again when it ends. Vera records the duration and interval between contractions automatically. After a few contractions, Vera will show you your pattern and let you know how it compares to your provider's threshold.
What does Focus Mode do?
Focus Mode hides everything except the tap circle — no stats, no navigation, no distractions. It activates automatically after your 3rd contraction, or you can turn it on manually by tapping "Focus mode" above the circle. To exit, tap "Exit focus" at the bottom of the screen.
How do I record that my waters broke?
Tap "Waters broke" below the tap circle. Vera will record the exact time and start tracking how long ago it happened. If waters have been broken for more than 18 hours, Vera will prompt you to contact your provider — most protocols recommend doing so within this window.
Is my data stored on a server?
No. All your contraction data is stored only on your device. Vera does not send any personal or health data to external servers. Your data stays private.
How do I export or share my contraction report?
Go to the Log tab and tap "Export Report". You'll get a full summary including contraction count, average duration, average interval, and a detailed table. You can share it directly with your provider via text, email, or any app on your phone.
What is the difference between the 5-1-1, 4-1-1, and 6-1-1 rules?
Different providers use different thresholds depending on your situation. The 5-1-1 rule (every 5 min, 1 min long, for 1 hour) is standard for most first births. The 4-1-1 rule is often used for second or subsequent births since labor can progress faster. The 6-1-1 rule is sometimes preferred by midwives for a more relaxed approach. You can change your threshold in Vera's Settings — always follow your provider's specific advice.
Can my partner use Vera to time contractions?
Yes — during onboarding, select "I'm supporting someone" to enable Partner Mode. The interface adjusts slightly for a third-party perspective. To hand the phone back to the person in labor, go to Settings and tap "Hand back phone".
Vera isn't working properly — what should I do?
First try force-closing and reopening the app. If the issue persists, delete and reinstall Vera from the App Store (note: this will clear your current session data). If you're still having problems, email us at
support@usevera.co with a description of what's happening and your iPhone model.
How do I reset the app and start a new session?
Go to Settings and tap "Clear session". This resets all contraction data and lets you start fresh. Your settings and preferences are preserved.