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Planning to get pregnant, and trying to decide what the best time would be? From swollen ankles on a hot summer day to the best season of the year for morning sickness (as if there were one) – here’s my take:
When you’re heading down the road of parenthood, there are a million choices you’ll be faced with. The first question is when you’d like to start trying for a baby.
The timing of conception plays a major role in how your pregnancy will unfold as well as what time of year your baby will be born and celebrate his or her birthday.
Each season has its own considerations! From avoiding cold and flu season to trying not to be massively pregnant in the hot summer months, I’ve come up with some of the biggest pros and cons to conceiving each season. Let’s get started!
Winter Conception (December, January, February)
Getting pregnant in December, January or February means your baby will be born in September, October or November. Winter conception will put your baby’s birthday in the fall months.
Pros
- Your baby will be born in the fall, which is a beautiful time of year to watch the leaves change. Say hello to cozy newborn outfits and warm snuggles.
- Your due date should be well before December, which means your child’s birthday doesn’t compete with Christmas.
- If you’re suffering from morning sickness and trying to hide it, just blame it on the flu! No one else will be able to tell the difference during cold and flu season, which makes pregnancy symptoms easier to conceal.
Cons
- If you conceive in early December and love the holiday season, be aware that morning sickness might align with Christmas. Consider easing up on festive responsibilities and let someone else handle the hosting and party preparations.
- December through February are typically right in the middle of cold and flu season. When you’re pregnant, there are lots of medications you shouldn’t take, like decongestants. This can make it tricky to be pregnant in this season.
- With your baby due sometime between September and November, they may be the youngest in their class when it’s time for school. Check wiht your local school districts to see if they use the calendar year as their guide for kindergarten registration age.
Spring Conception (March, April, May)
Getting pregnant in March, April or May means your baby will be born in December, January or February. Spring conception will put your baby’s birthday in the winter months.
Pros
- When you’re at your most pregnant, the weather will be nice and cool. You won’t spend your third trimester sweating in the summer.
- You’ll be in the second trimester during the summer months, feeling better with less morning sickness and not too huge to enjoy summer activities.
- With a due date in the late winter months, you’ll have time to heal and rest and be ready to get out and about in the spring with your newborn.
Cons
- Some women dislike having a December baby because they feel like they miss out on the holiday season as they’re recovering from birth and early postpartum life.
- Your child may feel like their birthday is overshadowed by Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
- When you’re in your third trimester, it’s common to feel like nothing fits anymore. If you’re heavily pregnant in these months it might be time to grab a pair of your husband’s sweatpants. Beware: maternity wear can get expensive, especially if you need anything formal for business or parties.
Summer Conception (June, July, August)
Conception in June, July or August will mean your baby’s born in March, April or May. Summer conception will put your baby’s birthday in the spring months.
Pros
- Morning sickness and fatigue might happen during the summer months and being able to get fresh air might be enjoyable.
- Spring is a great time for a baby shower or to get together with close friends and family who want to meet your new baby.
- March, April and May are all great months for a child’s birthday. It’s not over summer vacation when their friends aren’t in town or too close to the Christmas holidays.
- Your child will be the most mature of their classmates depending on your school district’s calendar year cut off for registration.
Cons
- If you have bad seasonal allergies, spring is a tough time for early postpartum life.
- Especially if you’re conceiving in early summer like the month of June, you may be plagued with morning sickness during the nicest months of the year. This could make you feel like you’re missing out on summer.
- If you live somewhere with lots of snow, you may be limited to indoor birthday party options for your child.
Fall Conception (September, October, November)
Conception in September, October or November will mean your baby is born in June, July or August. Fall conception will put your baby’s birthday in the summer months.
Pros
- If you concieve in the early fall, you’ll be ready to tell your friends and family by Christmas. I’ve already found the cutest Christmas Pregnancy Announcement Ideas for you to check out here.
- Your baby won’t be born during cold and flu season! If you’re nervous about big germs around your little baby, summer is a great time to give birth.
- Start your maternity leave in the summer months and enjoy the nicest time of year at home with your new little family.
Cons
- A due date in the summer means you’ll be super pregnant during the hottest months of the year which might add to your discomfort.
- You’ll have a brand new baby in the summer months and need to watch out for things like sunburn and overheating (especially if you don’t have air conditioning.)
- If your child’s birthday is in the summer months when kids are out of school, their birthday party might be smaller since friends could be on vacation elsewhere.
Wrapping Up
While, of course, there are pros and cons to getting pregnant ANY time of year, at the end of the day there’s truly no bad time to have a baby.
Despite your best efforts to plan, you may not get pregnant exactly when you were hoping to. And even if you get pregnant according to your plan, sometimes babies come early… or late!
Read Next:
🍼 17+ *Essential* First Trimester Must-Haves (That You Literally Need *Right Now*)
🍼 The *Essential* First Trimester Checklist (for First Time Moms)
