Giving Birth in The Sims 4: A Comprehensive Guide for Expectant Sim Parents
So, your Sim is expecting! Congratulations! Navigating pregnancy and childbirth in The Sims 4 can be a delightful, albeit sometimes unpredictable, experience. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to ensure a smooth delivery and welcome your new little Sim into the world.
At its most basic, to have your Sim give birth in The Sims 4, you need a pregnant Sim and the passage of time. A typical Sim pregnancy lasts for approximately three Sim days, divided into three trimesters. The game will then automatically trigger labor once the Sim is in the third trimester.
However, there’s much more to consider. Do you want a home birth or a hospital delivery? Are you hoping for twins or triplets? What if you want to speed things up (or slow them down)? Read on to discover all the nuances of Sim births.
Key Factors for a Successful Sim Birth
Beyond the basic requirements of pregnancy and time, several factors can influence your Sim’s birthing experience:
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Appropriate Timing: Pregnancy in The Sims 4 progresses naturally over the course of three Sim days. Each “trimester” represents one Sim day. You can track the current trimester by observing the Sim’s belly size and moodlets related to pregnancy. Once the Sim enters their third trimester they will go into labor about 5 hours (minutes) after. In labor it will take 3 hours (minutes) for the baby to be born.
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Home vs. Hospital: If you own the Get to Work expansion pack, you have the option to choose between a home birth and a hospital delivery. When your Sim goes into labor, a pop-up will appear, prompting you to select your preferred location. A hospital birth can be a fun experience as you control your Sim and their partner in a new location.
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The Crib: Whether you choose a home birth or a hospital visit, a crib is necessary. A crib will appear automatically if you choose to have your baby at home without pre-purchasing one.
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Cheats (Optional): The Sims 4 is known for its extensive use of cheats, and pregnancy is no exception. You can use cheats to instantly trigger labor, adjust the number of babies, or even determine the baby’s gender. Be sure to use cheats responsibly, as they can sometimes disrupt the natural flow of the game.
Tips for a Smooth Delivery
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Keep Your Sim Comfortable: Pregnancy can be tough, even for Sims! Make sure your pregnant Sim is well-fed, rested, and happy. A happy Sim is more likely to have a smooth pregnancy and delivery.
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Address Medical Needs (Get to Work EP): If you opt for a hospital birth, ensure that the hospital is functioning correctly. Sometimes, glitches can occur, preventing your Sim from giving birth. Ensure the surgery table at the hospital is blue.
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Prepare the Nursery: While not strictly required, preparing a nursery can add to the immersion of the experience. Decorate the room with baby-themed furniture and toys to create a welcoming environment for the new arrival.
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Consider A Name: Consider what you are going to name your baby or babies. It is best to give your baby Sim a fitting name when you are ready to give birth.
FAQs About Giving Birth in The Sims 4
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of giving birth in The Sims 4:
1. How long is a Sim pregnant?
A Sim pregnancy lasts approximately three Sim days. Each day represents one trimester.
2. How do I make my Sim go into labor immediately?
Open the cheat console (Ctrl + Shift + C) and enter: sims.add_buff pregnancy_inlabor
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3. Can I have twins or triplets in The Sims 4?
Yes! You can increase the chances of having twins or triplets by purchasing the “Fertile” reward trait for 3,000 satisfaction points. You can also use cheats to force the number of babies. Type “pregnancy.forceoffspringcount (Sim ID here)(3)” to create triplets. Players can input any number ranging from one to seven. However, since The Sims 4 limits households to a total of eight members, players can have as many as six babies from a single pregnancy.
4. How do I give birth at the hospital?
If you have the Get to Work expansion pack, when your Sim goes into labor, a pop-up will appear asking if you want to have the baby at home or at the hospital. Choose the hospital option.
5. Why can’t I deliver a baby at the hospital?
Ensure that you get a message that your Sim is in labor before there will be an option when clicking on her to have the baby at the hospital. The surgery table at the hospital must also be the original blue version of the hospital surgery table.
6. Can I speed up a Sim’s pregnancy?
Yes, you can use cheats to speed up pregnancy.
7. Can I choose the gender of my baby?
While there’s no guaranteed method, some players believe that eating certain fruits during pregnancy can influence the baby’s gender. Eating apples is said to increase the chances of a boy, while eating strawberries is believed to increase the chances of a girl. Cheats can also be used to force a gender.
8. Can Sims have miscarriages?
Yes, miscarriages can occur in The Sims 4.
9. What happens if a pregnant Sim drinks alcohol?
Alcoholic beverages in Maxis content don’t actually get your sims drunk anyway, but the Basemental Drugs mod makes them functional, and if you have Wicked Whims and Basemental installed, drugs and alcohol do carry the risk of miscarriage.
10. Can NPC Sims get pregnant and give birth?
NPC sim will never give birth to a baby sims in the presence of a guest. She will only give birth to empty cradle/Bassinets.
11. Can Sims have a baby without being married?
Unlike in real life, in order to have babies in the Sims Freeplay, you have to get married first. This can be done by proposing to your partner and living together.
12. Why can’t my married Sims try for a baby?
Keep in mind that one of the sims needs to be able to become pregnant while the other needs to be able to get others pregnant for them to be able to try for a baby.
13. Can I give birth on any lot besides my own?
Sims cannot give birth on any lot besides their own residential lot.
14. How many babies can you be pregnant with in sims 4?
This is a multi-step process, but players can input any number of babies they want their Sim to have at one time, up to seven.
15. How do you stop unwanted pregnancy in Sims 4?
To pause pregnancy in Sims 4, use this cheat “sims. removeallbuffs”.
Making Learning Fun: The Role of Games
Games, including The Sims 4, offer valuable learning opportunities. They foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and even social understanding. To learn more about the intersection of games and education, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society researches and promotes the use of games for educational purposes.
Giving birth in The Sims 4 is a rewarding experience that allows you to nurture and guide a new generation of Sims. By understanding the game mechanics and utilizing the tips and tricks provided in this guide, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey into Sim parenthood.