Abstract: A childbirth labor timing, practicing and alerting apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a portable device with a housing having a display screen and one or more input controls to input the start and end of successive contractions. The device includes a processor and a memory for receipt, storage and display of contraction duration, interval and elapsed time information; for the storage of practice information; for setting and displaying time of day; for receipt and storage of alert data; and for data transmission with a remote unit. The apparatus can include a remote alert data entry unit located at the office of a doctor or other medical facility. Alert data can be entered into the portable device from the remote alert data entry unit. Communication between the remote alert data entry unit and the portable device can be wired or wireless.