Table of Contents

How Long Does a Sim Stay in Labor? A Comprehensive Guide to Sims 4 Pregnancy

So, your Sim is expecting! Congratulations! One of the most anticipated moments in any Sim’s life is the arrival of their little one. But how long will that final stretch of pregnancy, known as labor, actually last in the game?

A Sim’s labor in The Sims 4 typically lasts around three in-game hours. Once your pregnant Sim receives the “Pregnancy: In Labour” moodlet, the clock starts ticking. The birth will happen around three real-time minutes assuming you’re playing at normal speed. But this isn’t a rigid, unchangeable rule! The great thing about The Sims 4 is there are options and ways to influence your Sim’s journey to parenthood, including the length of their labor. Let’s dive deeper into the factors affecting labor and some tips and tricks to manage this exciting (and sometimes stressful) period.

Understanding the Stages of Sim Pregnancy

Before we focus solely on labor, let’s briefly recap the overall pregnancy timeline in The Sims 4. A typical Sim pregnancy lasts for approximately three Sim days, regardless of the lifespan setting you’re using. These three days are divided into trimesters, each lasting about 24 in-game hours:

First Trimester: Morning sickness, frequent trips to the bathroom, and cravings are common.
Second Trimester: Your Sim’s belly will visibly grow, and they may experience back pain or fatigue.
Third Trimester: Movement becomes more limited, and you’ll start seeing the “Pregnancy: Uncomfortable” moodlet. This is the final stretch before labor begins!

Factors That Can Affect Labor Length

While three in-game hours is the norm, there are a few things that can tweak this:

Intervention: The most straightforward way to influence labor is through player intervention. Once your Sim is in labor, you’ll have the option to either have the baby at home or, if you have the Get to Work Expansion Pack, go to the hospital to give birth. Choosing the hospital option can make the time in labor feel shorter, as the Sim disappears to the hospital “rabbit hole” and returns a short time later with their new baby.
Cheats: Ah yes, the ever-reliable cheats. If you’re feeling impatient or want to control the timing of the birth, you can use cheats to immediately trigger labor. The most common cheat is sims.add_buff pregnancy_inlabor. This will instantly put your Sim into labor, bypassing the usual waiting period. Be careful though, this could have some unwanted effects if used too early.

The Hospital Option (Get to Work Expansion Pack)

For players with the Get to Work expansion pack, the hospital offers a different birthing experience. When your Sim goes into labor, you’ll have the option to send them to the hospital. Choosing this option doesn’t necessarily shorten the three-hour labor period, but it does make it less visible to the player. Your Sim will leave the lot and disappear into the hospital “rabbit hole.” They’ll then return after a short time with the newborn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sim Labor and Pregnancy

Here are some frequently asked questions about Sim labor and pregnancy:

1. How long does it take for a Sim to go into labor after the 3rd trimester starts?

Typically, your Sim will go into labor about 24 in-game hours into the third trimester. In practice, it usually occurs around that time, but it’s not an exact science. The timing can vary slightly.

2. Can a Sim lose the baby in The Sims 4?

Without using mods, there is no way for a Sim to have a miscarriage or terminate a pregnancy in The Sims 4.

3. Can I speed up a Sim’s pregnancy?

Yes! Using cheats like sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester1, sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester2, or sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester3 will advance your Sim to the corresponding trimester. Note: You must first enable cheats using the testingcheats true code.

4. How do I ensure my Sim has twins or triplets?

Several methods exist to increase the chances of multiple births. The “On Ley Line” lot trait (found in lot traits settings) increases the likelihood of twins or triplets. Additionally, your Sim can eat fertility treatments like strawberries and carrots. Or, you can use cheats like: pregnancy.force_offspring_count (Sim ID here) (number of babies) to force your Sim to have multiple babies, but ensure you know your Sim’s ID first.

5. What happens if I don’t take my Sim to the hospital in time?

If you have the Get to Work expansion pack and choose to have the baby at the hospital, you have a limited time (around 30 Sim minutes) to get them there. If you miss this window, the Sim will give birth at home.

6. Can male Sims get pregnant?

Without mods, male Sims cannot get pregnant in The Sims 4.

7. How many babies can a Sim have at once?

A Sim can have up to seven babies at once using cheats. However, be mindful of household size restrictions; a Sim’s household is capped at eight.

8. What if my Sim is already in labor, but I want twins?

You can use the pregnancy.force_offspring_count cheat while your Sim is in labor. However, be prepared for the chaos of suddenly having two babies instead of one!

9. Why is my Sim constantly throwing up?

Morning sickness is a common symptom during the first trimester of pregnancy. It’s an unavoidable part of the pregnancy experience, and it will subside as your Sim progresses to the later trimesters.

10. How do I find my Sim’s ID for cheats?

Open the cheat console by pressing CTRL + Shift + C. Type in “sims.getsimidbyname (Sim’s first name) (Sim’s last name)”. The game will display your Sim’s ID number, which you can then use in other cheats.

11. What if I don’t want my Sim to have a baby after they’re pregnant?

Without mods, there is no way to abort a pregnancy. However, you can reload an earlier save from before the pregnancy, or wait for the baby to be born and then neglect it, which will lead to Child Protective Services taking the baby away. This is a less-than-ideal solution, but it’s an option.

12. Can a Sim die during childbirth?

No, Sims cannot die during childbirth in The Sims 4.

13. Can I choose the baby’s gender?

While there’s no guaranteed way to choose the baby’s gender, eating certain fruits can influence the odds. Eating strawberries increases the chances of having a girl, while eating carrots increases the chances of having a boy. Also, you can use the following command pregnancy.force_offspring_gender true to make the Sim’s next baby a male, or pregnancy.force_offspring_gender false for female, note that cheats must be enabled first.

14. How do I age up a newborn into an infant quickly?

Click on the newborn in the bassinet and select the “Age Up” option. Newborns will automatically age up within one Sim day, but you can expedite the process this way.

15. My Sims can’t get pregnant. What could be the problem?

Several factors could be preventing your Sims from conceiving. Ensure that the “Try for Baby” option is available and not blocked by relationship status or mood. Check your household size; you can only have eight Sims per household. Also, ensure that the bed is accessible. If using mods like MC Command Center, check your pregnancy settings in the mod menu to ensure that pregnancy is enabled for your Sims. You can also learn more about the Sims through online communities and academic work, like that done by the Games Learning Society. See GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

Conclusion

Sim pregnancies and labor can be exciting and rewarding experiences in The Sims 4. While a typical labor lasts three in-game hours, you have the power to influence the process through gameplay choices, expansion pack features, and, of course, the trusty cheat console. Whether you prefer a natural home birth or a quick trip to the hospital, understanding the mechanics of Sim labor allows you to craft unique and engaging stories for your Sims families. Enjoy the journey!

How long does a Sim stay in labor?