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How Long Does it Take Sims to Give Birth in The Sims 4?

In The Sims 4, pregnancy is a significant and often hilarious part of the gameplay. The duration of a Sim pregnancy is a frequently asked question, and the answer is relatively straightforward: a Sim pregnancy lasts approximately 3 in-game days. This holds true regardless of whether you’re playing on short, normal, or long lifespan settings. However, the perceived length and overall experience can be heavily influenced by player choices and gameplay strategies.

The 3-day pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each bringing unique moodlets, interactions, and physical changes to your Sim. While you can let those trimesters play out naturally, there are options to alter the progress of the pregnancy. And, yes, that includes speeding things up considerably!

Understanding the Pregnancy Timeline

To better understand the pregnancy, let’s break down each stage:

First Trimester: Marked by the initial confirmation of pregnancy. Your Sim might experience morning sickness and mood swings.
Second Trimester: The Sim’s belly begins to grow visibly. This is the stage where you can find out the gender of the baby by purchasing a children’s item and using the “Determine Gender” interaction.
Third Trimester: The Sim’s movement becomes restricted and uncomfortable. They’ll experience back pain, frequent trips to the bathroom, and prepare the nursery for the impending arrival. About 5 in-game hours after entering the third trimester, your Sim will go into labor.
Labor: The Sim will be in labor for 3 in-game hours. During this time, the player must choose between a home birth, or heading to the hospital.

Speeding Up the Process: Cheats and Alternatives

While 3 days might seem short, impatient players can significantly reduce this timeframe using cheats. Here’s how:

Using Cheats

Cheats can drastically shorten the pregnancy and even induce labor immediately. To use cheats, open the cheat console by pressing CTRL + Shift + C on a PC, Command + Shift + C on a Mac, or all four shoulder buttons on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Then, enter the following cheats:

Skip to First Trimester: sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester1
Skip to Second Trimester: sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester2
Skip to Third Trimester: sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester3
Induce Labor: sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_inlabor

Important Note: Remember to type testingcheats true before entering any of these cheats. This enables the cheat functionality in the game.

Using the “Induce Labor” cheat is the fastest way to bring your Sim’s pregnancy to an end. Once the cheat is entered, the Sim will immediately go into labor, triggering the birth event.

Alternatives to Cheating

If you prefer not to use cheats, there aren’t any “official” ways to speed up pregnancy. Your only recourse is to simply wait out the pregnancy timeline or shorten the lifespan setting, though this won’t affect the 3-day pregnancy timeframe itself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sims 4 Pregnancy and Birth

1. How do I get my Sim pregnant in The Sims 4?

Sims can get pregnant by using the “Try for Baby” interaction while in a romantic relationship. Ensure both Sims are in a good mood to increase the chances of success. Regular WooHoo will not lead to pregnancy; it must be the “Try for Baby” option.

2. What is the base chance of getting pregnant in The Sims 4?

The base chance of getting pregnant from any given ‘Try for Baby’ interaction is 80%.

3. Can Sims accidentally get pregnant in The Sims 4?

No, Sims cannot accidentally get pregnant from regular WooHoo. They must use the “Try for Baby” interaction specifically.

4. How long does it take for a Sim to go into labor after reaching the third trimester?

Your Sim will go into labor approximately 5 in-game hours (minutes) after entering the third trimester. Once in labor, it will take another 3 hours (minutes) for the baby to be born.

5. How can I increase my chances of having twins or triplets?

Several factors can increase the chances of multiple births:

Fertility Reward: Purchase the “Fertile” reward trait from the Rewards Store using satisfaction points.
Lot Trait: Choose a lot with the “On a Ley Line” trait.
Fertility Massage (Spa Day): If you own the Spa Day Game Pack, have your Sim get a Fertility Massage.
Listening to Kids Radio/Watching Kids TV: Pregnant Sims can significantly increase their chances of conceiving twins or triplets by listening to Kids Radio or watching Kids TV.

6. How many babies can a Sim have at once in The Sims 4?

While the game technically allows for up to seven babies using cheats, the practical limit is usually three (triplets). The Sims household is capped at eight Sims, so having too many babies can make the household unmanageable.

7. What happens if my Sim doesn’t go to the hospital to give birth?

If your Sim doesn’t go to the hospital, they will have a home birth. This is perfectly safe and doesn’t impact the health or well-being of the Sim or baby.

8. Can I influence the gender of the baby in The Sims 4?

Yes, you can influence the gender of the baby. Once your Sim is in the second trimester, use these tips:

Eat strawberries and listen to pop music to make your Sim have a girl.
Eat carrots and listen to alternative music to make your Sim have a boy.

You can also buy a children’s item and use the “Determine Gender” interaction.

9. What happens after the baby is born?

After birth, the baby is placed in a bassinet. Newborns will automatically age up into Infants within one day.

10. How long does it take for a newborn to age up in The Sims 4?

Newborns automatically age up into Infants within approximately one in-game day. You can also manually age them up by clicking on the baby and selecting “Age Up”.

11. What can Infants do in The Sims 4?

Infants are a life stage introduced in a free update, offering richer interactions and gameplay compared to the original newborns. Infants can:

Learn to crawl.
Play with toys.
Try new baby food.
Develop three new quirks that will expand their personality.

12. Can I skip a trimester in The Sims 4?

Yes, you can skip trimesters using the cheats mentioned earlier (sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester1, sims.add_buff buff_pregnancy_trimester2).

13. Why won’t my Sim give birth in The Sims 4?

There could be several reasons:

Pregnancy Paused: If you’re using mods like MC Command Center (MCCC), check your settings to ensure the pregnancy hasn’t been accidentally paused.
Household Limit: Ensure your household isn’t already at the maximum of eight Sims.
Glitches: Occasionally, glitches can occur. Try restarting the game or repairing your game files through the Origin/EA App.

14. Can Young Adult Sims get pregnant in The Sims 4?

Yes, both Adult and Young Adult Sims can get pregnant.

15. Do pregnant Sims age in The Sims 4?

While it might seem like it, pregnant Sims do continue to age, even though it may appear that they temporarily pause. However, there will be no impact on the Sims.

Conclusion

Sim pregnancies in The Sims 4 typically last 3 in-game days, but players have multiple ways to influence this duration. Whether you prefer the natural progression, the added intrigue of fertility boosts, or the instant gratification of cheats, understanding these options enhances your gameplay experience. Remember to have fun and experiment with different approaches to find what suits your playstyle best.

Sims 4 is a game that teaches players about a variety of different lifecycles. Learn more about different games and their effects on learning at Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org.

How long does it take Sims to give birth?