Can Adults Have Babies in The Sims 4? A Comprehensive Guide
Absolutely! In The Sims 4, adult Sims can indeed have babies. This is a core element of the game’s life simulation, and it allows players to build families and progress through generations. However, there are certain conditions and factors that govern this process, which we will explore in detail below.
Understanding Pregnancy in The Sims 4
The Basics of Reproduction
In The Sims 4, pregnancy is primarily initiated through the ‘Try for Baby’ interaction. This option becomes available between two Sims who have a certain level of romantic relationship. While marriage isn’t a prerequisite, the Sims need to have developed a strong enough bond. You’ll typically find the ‘Try for Baby’ option when the Sims have reached approximately 40-50% in the Romantic relationship meter, or if they are already in a formal relationship, like dating, engaged, or married.
Who Can Get Pregnant?
By default, pregnancy is experienced by Young Adult and Adult female Sims. However, the game allows for diverse family structures, including same-sex couples. With the appropriate game settings or modifications (like Mods), male Sims can also experience pregnancy. Without mods, you can change a sim’s gender with an in-game cheat to get pregnant, then change their gender back after pregnancy is complete if you would like.
Age Restrictions
It’s crucial to remember that only Young Adults and Adults can become pregnant without the use of third-party mods. Teens and Elders are excluded from this option by default. This aligns with the game’s general depiction of life stages and societal norms.
Household Limitations
A significant factor to consider is the household size. A Sim cannot get pregnant if the household already has eight Sims. Someone will need to move out before the ‘Try for Baby’ option becomes available again. This limitation is in place to manage the game’s performance and prevent overwhelming the player with too many Sims to control.
Initiating Pregnancy: The ‘Try for Baby’ Interaction
Finding the Option
The ‘Try for Baby’ interaction is found within the romantic interactions menu when you click on another Sim or on a WooHoo-able object like a bed or rocket ship. It appears alongside the regular ‘WooHoo’ option, but it’s vital to select the correct one if your goal is pregnancy.
‘Try for Baby’ vs. ‘WooHoo’
It’s crucial to understand that regular WooHoo never results in pregnancy. The Sims 4 operates on an opt-in basis for reproduction. The ‘Try for Baby’ option is the specific action required to initiate a pregnancy.
What Happens After ‘Try for Baby’?
After the ‘Try for Baby’ interaction, the female Sim may experience a brief musical cue and a positive moodlet. To confirm the pregnancy, you can click on a toilet and select “Take pregnancy test”. If positive, the Sim will change into maternity clothing and display a pregnancy belly.
The Pregnancy Stages
First Trimester
The first trimester is characterized by mood swings, nausea, and the early stages of the baby bump. Sims may experience unique cravings and aversions to certain foods.
Second Trimester
During the second trimester, the baby bump becomes more prominent, and the pregnant Sim may gain new interactions, such as feeling the baby kick. They might also start attending prenatal classes.
Third Trimester
The third trimester is the final stretch. The Sim will experience discomfort and fatigue, and their movements will become more restricted. It’s a good time to prepare the nursery and get ready for the arrival of the baby.
Giving Birth
Going into Labor
When the Sim is ready to give birth, they will experience strong contractions and receive a notification that they are in labor. You can choose to have the baby at home or go to the hospital.
Welcoming the Newborn
Once the baby is born, it will initially be placed in a bassinet. Within a day, it will automatically age up into an Infant. You can also manually age up the Newborn early by clicking on them and selecting ‘Age Up.’
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can Elder Sims get pregnant in The Sims 4?
No, by default, Elder Sims cannot get pregnant in The Sims 4 without the use of mods or cheats.
2. Can male Sims get pregnant in The Sims 4?
Yes, but not without specific game settings activated or modifications, like Mods. The base game allows only female Sims to become pregnant.
3. What is the maximum number of Sims allowed in a household?
The maximum number of Sims allowed in a household is eight. If your household is at this limit, you need to move a Sim out before trying for a baby.
4. Can teens get pregnant in The Sims 4?
No, teen Sims cannot get pregnant in The Sims 4 without third-party mods.
5. Do Sims need to be married to ‘Try for Baby’?
No, Sims do not need to be married to ‘Try for Baby.’ The interaction becomes available when the couple has a certain level of romantic relationship or is in a formal relationship like dating or engaged.
6. How do I know if my Sim is pregnant?
After the ‘Try for Baby’ interaction, have your Sim “Take a pregnancy test” by clicking on a toilet. A positive result confirms the pregnancy. Your Sim will also start showing visual signs like a baby bump and change into maternity wear.
7. Can Sims get pregnant from regular WooHoo?
No, Sims cannot get pregnant from regular WooHoo. You must use the ‘Try for Baby’ interaction specifically.
8. How long do Sims pregnancies last?
A Sim pregnancy lasts for three trimesters, each lasting approximately three in-game days. So, a full pregnancy is about nine in-game days.
9. Can I influence the gender of my baby in The Sims 4?
While not guaranteed, some players believe that eating certain foods during pregnancy may increase the chances of having a boy or a girl. However, this is largely anecdotal and not officially confirmed by the game developers.
10. Can I have twins or triplets in The Sims 4?
Yes, twins and triplets are possible in The Sims 4. You can increase the chances of multiple births by using the “fertile” reward trait purchased with aspiration points or using cheats to directly force the number of babies. Use the following cheat code: pregnancy.force_offspring_count (Sim ID here) (number of babies). Remember to first activate cheats using the code testingcheats true.
11. Do pregnant Sims age in The Sims 4?
Pregnant Sims seem to temporarily stop aging for a few days during the pregnancy. Not just Adults but also Young Adult Sims.
12. What happens if I don’t want my Sim to be pregnant?
If you change your mind after initiating the ‘Try for Baby’ interaction, you can use a cheats or mods to terminate the pregnancy. The MCCC mod can be used to alter pregnancies.
13. How do I prepare for a baby in The Sims 4?
It’s a good idea to prepare a nursery with a crib, changing table, and toys. Also, ensure that your Sims have enough money and time to care for the baby. Consider having a Sim take time off from work.
14. Can same-sex couples have babies in The Sims 4?
Yes, but traditionally without mods they cannot have biological children together. However, they can adopt or use the ‘Try for Baby’ interaction with another Sim of the opposite gender, who is not in the household. Alternatively, in more recent updates, you can create a male sim, get him pregnant through the try for baby interaction and using mods (like MCCC), and then change their gender back after pregnancy is complete. This allows for same-sex male couples to be parents.
15. Is The Sims 4 suitable for children?
The Sims 4 has a PEGI rating of 12. While the game doesn’t contain explicit content, it does feature some mild violence and mature themes. Parents should consider their child’s maturity level before allowing them to play. The Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, offers insights into the educational value of games like The Sims for older kids and teens. You can find a lot of information on the Games Learning Society website https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
In conclusion, adults can indeed have babies in The Sims 4, and the game offers a rich and engaging experience for players looking to explore family dynamics and create their own unique stories. By understanding the mechanics of pregnancy, age restrictions, and household limitations, you can effectively manage your Sims’ lives and build the family of your dreams.