Sims Delivery: A Complete Guide to Giving Birth in The Sims 4
Giving birth in The Sims 4 is a significant milestone for your Sims family, filled with excitement, anticipation, and sometimes, a little bit of chaos! Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding the process from conception to delivery can greatly enhance your gameplay experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of having a baby in The Sims 4, covering everything from trying for a baby to choosing a name. Let’s dive in!
## 1. Trying for a Baby: The Spark of Life
The journey begins with the decision to expand your Sim family. Here’s how to initiate the baby-making process:
### Prerequisites:
* **Relationship Status:** Ensure your Sims are in a romantic relationship. They can be married, engaged, or simply partners. The closer their relationship, the more likely they are to succeed in trying for a baby.
* **Age:** Only young adult and adult Sims can try for a baby. Elder Sims are past their reproductive years.
* **Living Arrangements:** Sims need a house with a bed. While it’s not strictly required, having a nursery prepared can add to the immersion.
### The “Try for Baby” Interaction:
1. **Initiate Romance:** Start by building a romantic relationship between your Sims. Use romantic interactions like “Flirt,” “Compliment Appearance,” and “Romantic Hug.” As the relationship grows, new interactions will unlock.
2. **Select the Interaction:** Once the relationship is high enough (usually at least “Romantic Interest”), the “Try for Baby” interaction will appear. You can find it under the “Romantic” category when clicking on the other Sim.
3. **Choose the Location:** The “Try for Baby” interaction can be performed in a bed, a rocket ship (if you have the *Get to Work* expansion), a photo booth (if you have the *City Living* expansion), or even a closet (if you have the *Tiny Living* stuff pack). The bed is the most common and reliable option.
### What Happens Next?
* **The Animation:** After selecting “Try for Baby,” your Sims will hop into bed (or the chosen location) and perform the interaction. A musical jingle and a unique animation will play.
* **Confirmation:** There’s no immediate confirmation of pregnancy. You’ll need to wait a short time (about 24 Sim hours) before the pregnancy is confirmed.
### Increasing the Chances of Pregnancy:
* **Relationship Level:** The higher the relationship between the Sims, the greater the chance of a successful pregnancy.
* **Fertility Traits:** Some traits can influence fertility. The “Fertile” trait (available as a reward trait) significantly increases the chances of conceiving.
* **Massage Table:** Using the massage table with a fertility massage can temporarily boost the chances of pregnancy.
* **Listening to Music:** Listening to the pop radio station can also slightly increase the chance of pregnancy.
## 2. Pregnancy: The Nine Months (Sim Days) of Waiting
Once the “Try for Baby” interaction is successful, your Sim will become pregnant. The pregnancy in The Sims 4 lasts for three Sim days, divided into three trimesters.
### Confirming the Pregnancy:
* **Morning Sickness:** The first sign is usually morning sickness. Your Sim might run to the toilet to vomit.
* **Pregnancy Test:** You can confirm the pregnancy by purchasing a pregnancy test from the computer or toilet. Go to the “Buy” mode, search for “pregnancy test,” and place it in your Sim’s house. Your Sim can then use the test.
* **Notification:** The game will also usually send a notification confirming the pregnancy.
### Pregnancy Trimesters:
* **First Trimester:** This trimester is marked by morning sickness, mood swings, and increased hunger. Your Sim will also start showing a slight baby bump.
* **Second Trimester:** The baby bump becomes more prominent. Your Sim might experience back pain or waddle while walking. This is a good time to start preparing the nursery.
* **Third Trimester:** The baby bump is at its largest. Your Sim will experience increased discomfort and might have difficulty performing certain activities. They might also get the “Uncomfortable” moodlet more frequently.
### Pregnancy Interactions and Activities:
* **Doctor Visits:** While not mandatory, you can take your pregnant Sim to the doctor for check-ups. This adds to the realism and immersion.
* **Prenatal Classes:** Enrolling in prenatal classes can provide your Sim with useful skills and knowledge for raising a baby. These classes are available through the computer.
* **Reading Pregnancy Books:** Your Sim can read pregnancy books to learn about baby care and improve their parenting skill. Books can be purchased from the bookcase or computer.
* **Discussing Pregnancy:** Sims can discuss their pregnancy with other Sims, sharing their excitement and concerns.
* **Maternity Clothes:** You can purchase maternity clothes from the dresser or mirror to keep your Sim comfortable during pregnancy.
* **Baby Shower:** With the Parenthood Game Pack, you can throw a baby shower for your pregnant Sim. Invite friends and family, play games, and open gifts.
### Pregnancy Moodlets:
During pregnancy, your Sim will experience various moodlets related to their condition. These moodlets can affect their emotions and actions. Common moodlets include:
* “Morning Sickness” (Uncomfortable)
* “Back Pain” (Uncomfortable)
* “Hungry” (Uncomfortable)
* “Excited About Baby” (Happy)
* “Tired” (Tired)
### Taking Care of Your Pregnant Sim:
* **Rest:** Ensure your pregnant Sim gets enough sleep. A well-rested Sim is a happier and healthier Sim.
* **Nutrition:** Provide your Sim with nutritious meals. Pregnancy cravings can be intense, so indulge them occasionally, but prioritize healthy options.
* **Comfort:** Keep your Sim comfortable by providing them with comfortable furniture and maternity clothes.
* **Avoid Stress:** Minimize stress and negative emotions. A happy and relaxed Sim will have a smoother pregnancy.
## 3. Labor and Delivery: The Big Day
As your Sim approaches the end of their third trimester, labor will begin. This is a critical moment in the pregnancy, so be prepared!
### Signs of Labor:
* **Contractions:** Your Sim will experience regular contractions, indicated by them clutching their belly and moaning.
* **Pain:** They will receive the “In Labor!” moodlet, indicating they are in pain.
* **Animation:** Your Sim might start pacing around and showing signs of discomfort.
### Going to the Hospital (Optional):
While not required, you can choose to have your Sim give birth at the hospital (available with the *Get to Work* expansion). To do this:
1. **Click on the Sim:** When your Sim is in labor, click on them.
2. **Select “Go to Hospital to Have Baby”:** This option will appear when labor begins.
3. **Follow the Prompts:** Your Sim will travel to the hospital lot. You can follow them to the hospital to witness the birth or choose to stay at home.
### Giving Birth at Home:
If you choose not to go to the hospital, your Sim will give birth at home. Here’s what to expect:
1. **Labor Progression:** The labor will progress through several stages. Your Sim will experience increasing levels of discomfort and pain.
2. **Birth Animation:** Eventually, your Sim will give birth. A short animation will play, showing the baby being born.
3. **Baby Arrival:** After the animation, a baby will appear in the crib (if one is available) or in your Sim’s arms.
### What to Do During Labor:
* **Comfort:** Provide comfort by having other Sims offer encouragement and support.
* **Pain Relief:** While there’s no direct pain relief, keeping your Sim comfortable and relaxed can help manage the discomfort.
* **Call a Doctor:** In previous versions of the Sims, you could call a doctor for a home birth. This feature is no longer available in The Sims 4.
## 4. Welcoming the New Baby: Baby Care and Parenting
Once the baby arrives, your Sims will need to care for it. This involves feeding, changing diapers, and providing attention.
### Naming the Baby:
* **Prompt:** After the birth, a window will appear prompting you to name the baby. Choose a name that reflects your Sim family’s style.
* **Gender:** The baby’s gender is randomly determined at birth, unless you use cheats or mods to influence it.
### Baby Needs:
* **Hunger:** Babies need to be fed regularly. You can feed them a bottle by clicking on the baby and selecting “Feed.”
* **Diaper Changes:** Babies need their diapers changed frequently. A dirty diaper will cause discomfort and unhappiness. Click on the baby and select “Change Diaper.”
* **Attention:** Babies need attention and interaction. Cuddle, talk to, and play with the baby to keep them happy.
* **Sleep:** Babies need plenty of sleep. Put the baby in the crib to let them sleep.
### Baby Interactions:
* **Cuddle:** Hold and cuddle the baby to provide comfort and affection.
* **Talk To:** Talk to the baby to build a bond and improve the caregiver’s parenting skill.
* **Make Silly Faces:** Entertain the baby by making silly faces.
* **Play With:** Play with the baby to keep them engaged and happy.
### Caring for the Baby:
* **Monitor Needs:** Keep a close eye on the baby’s needs to ensure they are well-cared for.
* **Respond Quickly:** Respond promptly to the baby’s cries and needs to prevent them from becoming distressed.
* **Share Responsibilities:** Divide baby care responsibilities between both parents to avoid burnout.
## 5. Raising Toddlers: The Terrible Twos (and Threes)
After a few days as a baby, your Sim will age up to a toddler. Toddlers are more independent but still require a lot of care and attention.
### Toddler Needs:
* **Hunger:** Toddlers need to be fed regularly. You can give them food from the fridge or high chair.
* **Hygiene:** Toddlers need to be kept clean. Give them baths and change their diapers.
* **Bladder:** Toddlers need to use the potty. Help them use the potty to avoid accidents.
* **Energy:** Toddlers need plenty of sleep. Put them to bed for naps and nighttime sleep.
* **Fun:** Toddlers need to have fun. Play with them, read them books, and let them explore.
* **Attention:** Toddlers need attention and interaction. Talk to them, cuddle them, and play with them.
### Toddler Skills:
Toddlers can develop four key skills:
* **Communication:** Talking to and reading to your toddler increases their communication skill. They will babble less and speak more clearly.
* **Movement:** Playing with toys and exploring the environment increases their movement skill. They will crawl and walk more confidently.
* **Thinking:** Playing with blocks and puzzles increases their thinking skill. They will solve problems more easily.
* **Potty:** Potty training your toddler increases their potty skill. They will have fewer accidents.
### Toddler Interactions:
* **Read To:** Read books to your toddler to improve their communication and thinking skills.
* **Teach To Talk:** Teach your toddler new words to improve their communication skill.
* **Play With Toys:** Play with toys with your toddler to improve their movement and fun.
* **Give a Bath:** Give your toddler a bath to improve their hygiene.
* **Help Use Potty:** Help your toddler use the potty to improve their potty skill.
### Parenting Tips for Toddlers:
* **Be Patient:** Toddlers can be challenging. Be patient and understanding.
* **Provide Structure:** Establish a routine to help your toddler feel secure.
* **Set Boundaries:** Set clear boundaries and enforce them consistently.
* **Encourage Independence:** Encourage your toddler to do things on their own.
* **Give Praise:** Praise your toddler for their accomplishments.
## 6. Raising Children and Beyond
After the toddler stage, your Sim will age up to a child, and then to a teenager, and finally to a young adult. Each life stage brings new challenges and opportunities.
### Children:
* **School:** Children attend school and need to do their homework.
* **Skills:** Children can develop skills such as creativity, mental, motor, and social.
* **Activities:** Children can participate in various activities such as playing sports, joining clubs, and pursuing hobbies.
### Teenagers:
* **High School:** Teenagers attend high school and need to maintain good grades.
* **Jobs:** Teenagers can get part-time jobs to earn money.
* **Relationships:** Teenagers can develop romantic relationships.
* **Skills:** Teenagers continue to develop skills and prepare for adulthood.
### Young Adults and Adults:
* **Careers:** Young adults and adults pursue careers and build their lives.
* **Families:** They can start their own families and continue the cycle of life.
* **Skills:** They continue to develop skills and pursue their interests.
## 7. Cheats and Mods: Alternative Approaches
For players who prefer a more controlled experience, cheats and mods can alter the pregnancy and birth process.
### Pregnancy Cheats:
* **Sims.add_buff Pregnancy_Trimester1/2/3:** Instantly advance a Sim’s pregnancy to the specified trimester.
* **Sims.add_buff buff_Pregnancy_InLabor:** Immediately induce labor.
* **TestingCheats True:** This needs to be entered before any other cheat.
### Modding:
* **MC Command Center (MCCC):** A popular mod that allows you to control various aspects of the game, including pregnancy rates, gender ratios, and more.
**Important Note:** Using cheats and mods can sometimes cause glitches or unintended consequences. Always save your game before using them.
## 8. Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
* **Sims Not Getting Pregnant:** Ensure the relationship is high enough and try using fertility boosts. Also, check if either Sim has the “Not in the mood” moodlet.
* **Labor Not Starting:** Use the cheat `Sims.add_buff buff_Pregnancy_InLabor` to force labor to begin.
* **Baby Not Appearing:** This is a rare glitch. Try restarting the game or repairing the game files through Origin or the EA app.
* **Game Crashing During Birth:** Reduce graphics settings and close unnecessary applications to free up system resources.
## Conclusion
Having a baby in The Sims 4 is a rewarding experience that adds depth and complexity to your gameplay. By understanding the process from conception to raising children, you can create compelling stories and nurture your Sims family. Whether you choose to follow the natural progression or use cheats and mods to customize your experience, the journey of parenthood in The Sims 4 is full of surprises and memorable moments. Happy Simming!