Best seasons to get pregnant/give birth? - Page 2

[Keshia]

I had a winter baby and I definitely want to have the next in the winter! It's much easier/funner to get a baby warm than cooling it off in the summer. I also loved the summer maternity clothes and if you need to stay cool just turn on the A/C if you have it or go swimming. But this is coming from a person who despises the heat and prefers cold/rainy/thunderstormy/snowy weather so I'm not the norm LOL

[MoonJelly]

Originally Posted by Malila

Really, *really* I know we can't plan these things perfectly, but I was wondering if anyone wanted to share what they think is the the best season to get pregnant/give birth?

I haven't read the rest of the replies, but my DD was born on July 7th and I will plan any future kids the same way if possible. I liked this time for several reasons (listed below). For me, being pregnant in the heat is a small concern compared to what time of year the child is born. I am much more concerned about the latter.

So, I really liked July because,

1) Easy to dress newborn/0-3 months baby in the summer. Don't have to worry about shoes or socks, etc.
2) Easy to take them out in the stroller for the reasons above, while you are still getting used to everything else.
3) You don't have to worry about overheating them with lots of layers of clothes during the day or at night, which is actually more of a risk in than being too cold in the early months.
4) Lots of sunlight and long days so you have the extra energy to be getting less sleep.
5) I really liked that DD was sitting up, but still young, by the holidays.
6) During her second summer when she began to walk, Robeez were all she needed, inside and out. I was able to put off hard soled shoes until Sep/Oct.
7) I liked that she was 11-14 months during the summer. She really enjoyed getting in the pool with me and walking around outside.
8) I liked that she was almost 18 months on her second Christmas. It was a good age because there were a lot of good gift ideas for the grandparents. Things we all of the sudden needed once she got to this age, like ride-on toys etc.
9) And now, in her third summer, I am hopeful that we can start potty learning while the weather is warm.

I think there's more but I can't think of any more right now.

As far as pregnancy was concerned,

1) Found out by Thanksgiving and got to tell my family with pretty good certainty at the holidays as I was about 8-9 weeks or so.
2) The first trimester when I was tired all the time was in the winter when I tend to be more tired anyway.
3) I was able to wear regular clothes through most of the winter and only had to buy Spring and Summer maternity clothes--which for me were mostly the same thing since I was working full time.
4) Since I wanted to keep mum about my pregnancy for a while at work it was easy since I could wear the baggier winter clothes.
5) There wasn't even really a long stretch of heat that I had to deal with. And I was at work in air conditioning all day. Maybe if it was not your first child and you were at home this would make a difference.

I think a July birthday sounds fun too--I am thinking summer pool party. I mean, it's not during the school year, but mine was and I didn't think it was that big of a deal.

My next choices would be June or May.

Granted these are all somewhat superficial reasons, but all else being equal and you have the luxury to plan your pregnancy, my vote is for late-Spring/early Summer, May-July.

[MoonJelly]

After reading the replies, I agree that there are two more reasons for a late-Spring/early Summer baby.

1) Avoiding S.A.D/post-partum depression.
2) Fall and winter illness is easier to handle with an older baby.

Great post!

[Woodland]

Moon Jelly I love your username!!!!

I don't have children but am ttc. If we get pg this month it will be Feb baby. I like the idea of wearing maternity clothes in winter, nice and covered up. it will be nice to cuddle close during the holidays knowing baby is coming. Also, by the time summer comes the baby would be old enough to take outside and maybe even to my favorite health and harmony festival.

[Storm Bride]

Personally, if dh agrees to one more, I want it in February. Of course, I'll be happy no matter when it's born.

Mine have all been c-sections, and even though I'm planning to homebirth if I have another one, I do realize that c-sections are always possible (do I!) and there is the slight added risk of a rupture. So...if I have to spend another bunch of weeks recovering from surgery, I don't want it to be in the spring or summer. One of dh's reservations about another baby is that we've only been together for five years, and I've been pregnant, recovering from surgery and/or breastfeeding an infant for over 3.5 of that! He'd really like to have some time with me when I'm more...mobile. I don't want to be hugely pregnant in the summer again, either. I'm already overweight and last July felt like half a year to me. February would work well - I'd be in really early pregnancy in the summer, and if bad luck should come my way and I get sectioned again, I should be back on my feet well enough for family outings by the time ds1 goes on Spring Break.

I was kind of planning to start ttc next month, but dh still hasn't agreed to another baby, and I don't think he's going to.

[Storm Bride]

Everyone's different spins on things are interesting.

Originally Posted by MoonJelly

1) Easy to dress newborn/0-3 months baby in the summer. Don't have to worry about shoes or socks, etc.

I like sleepers just as well, and they keep baby warm. (Of course, I'm in Vancouver, and we don't get really brutal winters here.)

3) You don't have to worry about overheating them with lots of layers of clothes during the day or at night, which is actually more of a risk in than being too cold in the early months.

I was worried about ds2 overheating just from the temperature outside and in our home last July/August. It was so warm, and once the baby's down to naked, there's not much more to be done.

4) Lots of sunlight and long days so you have the extra energy to be getting less sleep.

Ah...that one didn't apply to me, as I don't sleep well in the summer, and the heat saps my energy totally. Plus, I was recovering from surgery, and all the sweat ended up causing an infection in my incision.

Anyway - not arguing. As I said, I just find the different perspectives on the same time of year interesting. (I wish ds2 had had your baby's birthday - I probably wouldn't have been cut, then.)

[celestialdreamer]

I have 2 spring babies (on May, one April) and really like it that way. The *only* bad thing I can think of was that with baby no. 2 I had horrible m/s right in the hottest part of the year end of August through Sept. This made dd's dirty diapers in the pail REEK, everything smells worse when its hot, and its just plain miserable to be puking all day when its super hot out Of course I wouldn't want to be in the 3rd trimester in summer either! If we have a third (which I'm doubting even though I would love too), I'd plan for the same time of the year.

[Greensleeves]

This is an interesting question!

For givng birth, I like the March/April time frame.

You don't spend any time big and pregnant during the hot season.

You don't have to worry about your newborn weathering the cold/flu/rsv season.

Only major holiday during that time you have to worry about is Easter.

You don't have to worry about school cut-off dates (as with Sept/Oct birthdates). (If you decide to school outside the home.)


Having said that, any time of the year it happens for you will be wonderful!

[MoonJelly]

Originally Posted by Storm Bride

Everyone's different spins on things are interesting.

Anyway - not arguing. As I said, I just find the different perspectives on the same time of year interesting. (I wish ds2 had had your baby's birthday - I probably wouldn't have been cut, then.)

What do you mean about the birthday? Did you go late? My DD was almost four weeks early actually. She was due on August 1. It's funny because I thought for sure it would be mid-August or something and I pretty much freaked when my water broke on the 4th of July! Everything was fine though--no problems.

That is interesting about the various perspectives. I agree that it probably makes a difference where you live. I don't like the heat either actually, but I guess we had some decent A/C going! What are your average summer temps in BC? I also imagine your days are pretty long in July up there, so I can understand what you mean. I spent a few days North of Toronto in July once and it was light until at least 10pm. I used to get a little manic in June and July even here in Maryland. Now I seem to need all the light I can get.

[MoonJelly]

Thanks MellyBelly!

[mummy marja]

I had two August babes. While the summer heat wasn't fun, I loved my maternity clothes. I had lots of sundresses and it was nice to wear so little when you're already feeling so big and awkward. I also went swimming a lot. But if I have another, I think I would enjoy a Spring baby.

[Kirsten]

I had three summer babies - one June, one July, one August.

Pros to summer babies:

**no bad weather/power outage/ice/snow/driving issues for you to get to birth center or for midwives to get to your house

**not much sickness going around so less worry about having baby exposed to that

**fun outdoor birthday parties are an option! and no hurt feelings at school when someone overhears someone else talking about your kid's party

**you can take lots of walks with the new baby - I loved that!

**far from Xmas holiday so no "what to get her; she just had a birthday"

Cons to summer babies:

**youngest in the class at school - although I was and turned out just fine, graduated third in my class

**sometimes kids are gone on vacation when you are having your birthday party - less likely during the school year

Just for the holiday issue alone, I'd avoid January and December if possible. It is easier financially to spread it out a bit if you can. And if you really want to think ahead, avoid May for daughters and June for sons so they don't get gyped on the Mother's/Father's Day/birthday gifts...

[hookahgirl]

Originally Posted by sleet76

I loved having my May and April babies. Here are my reasons:

I wasn't very pregnant in the summer

got to hide out in big, baggy maternity clothes over the winter

the babies came with the arrival of spring

it was easy to get out with a little one in the summer because it's not cold

by the time it is cold and the season for illnesses, the baby is 5-6 months old and much more sturdy

And by the time the 2nd summer rolls around, you have a toddler who can enjoy playing at the park, going to the zoo, pool, and may be going down to one nap to free up even more of you nice-weather time!

I agree totally!! March/April is a great time to have a little one!!

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by MoonJelly

What do you mean about the birthday? Did you go late? My DD was almost four weeks early actually. She was due on August 1. It's funny because I thought for sure it would be mid-August or something and I pretty much freaked when my water broke on the 4th of July! Everything was fine though--no problems.

My last baby was due July 14th, by LMP, but the u/s said July 7th. They wanted me to have a scheduled section on the fourth, but I was trying to VBAC, and said no. I ended up with a scheduled section on the 26th...and have wobbled back and forth ever since on whether putting it off until labour was a victory, or whether the whole thing counts as a defeat...

That is interesting about the various perspectives. I agree that it probably makes a difference where you live. I don't like the heat either actually, but I guess we had some decent A/C going! What are your average summer temps in BC? I also imagine your days are pretty long in July up there, so I can understand what you mean. I spent a few days North of Toronto in July once and it was light until at least 10pm. I used to get a little manic in June and July even here in Maryland. Now I seem to need all the light I can get.

I'm not really sure what our average summer temperatures are. It usually hits the 30's (Celsius...low-mid 90's Fahrenheit) at least some of the summer, though. When I had ds2, I was parked in front of a window at the hospital, and the temperature was in the 30s/90s. The sun beat down on me from about 10:30 in the morning until sunset...around 8:00 or so at night. It was grotesque.

[Autumn_Breeze]

I think September is a great month to give birth, but then again look at me now, hehee. There is that precious 8 months afterwards to get into shape before summer! But then again, any month is a perfect time to be blessed!

[Adamsmama]

I've thought about the same thing. Both of mine are winter babies...my first was due in January and was born in early Feb. and my 2nd was due in November and born in early December. I loved when my first was born--great time of year for me. Although going through the winter, pg, was a little difficult. The 2nd was fine but it was a little hectic because of the holidays. I still loved having a winter baby, though. If we do have a third, I'm thinking we are going to try for a baby between April and July mostly because we have 2 kids already and I want them to be able to play outside and go to the park once the baby is here. Also, I'm a bit worried about colds/flu/viruses. We have fairly mild winters here and when Luke was born I took him out in a sling that same week it was probably in the low 60's.

[Astoria]

March!

That's it, just March. It's the perfect time to have a baby in a multi-season climate.

Snowstorms are over so if you aren't homebirthing you don't have to worry about getting to the birth center.

The baby babymoons for 40 days, staying home and nursing, taking cozy sling-y walks and then emerges into the springtime, not too hot, not too cold. Perfect for being outside and discovering the world.

If you choose conventional schooling the child is just right, not too young (June-Aug), not the oldest (Oct, Nov).

[Bellasmom]

I vote for spring - both of my kiddos have June birthdays (well, my dd does and seeing as this baby missed it's EDD in May it will be a June baby too!). It is the perfect time of year for us. I hate hot weather, and it is hot and humid here starting mid-late June. (though we had temps in mid 90's here last weekend)
My birthday is in January, and it always got a bit lost in the post holiday shuffle, as did my brother's (Dec. 28th).
In terms of school, it depends on the child, and to some extent for me, gender. I would be more likely to send a girl through her first year at 5, and perhaps let a son wait until he is 6. Having talked to many guys who have had the option, and parents who have done it both ways, most seem to favor a later start for boys.

[BrookeAD]

My dd was born in May, and I loved it! We had the whole summer to be outdoors, and she didn't get all the colds that winter babies sometimes get.

For our next one, I am hoping for a March, April, or May birth. I am a teacher and would love the summer off to relax at home.

[jaclyn7]

I have a July birthday (23rd) and I love it and since it doesn't get too hot here until then my Mom loved it. On the other hand two of my sibs are October babies (both due in September) and she found that much tougher. My little bro is a late March baby and I have to say he looked so cute on his first Christmas. He was sitting up, quite mobile, but still really a baby. DH & I are going to try for a late March to August baby since he is a December baby and really found that a bit much, but I'd take anything (how cool would it be to give birth around your Christmas tree?). I always had really fun parties, often smaller since people were away but I loved it. One year we had a pancake party during a heatwave.

This really appeals to me: "5) I really liked that DD was sitting up, but still young, by the holidays.
6) During her second summer when she began to walk, Robeez were all she needed, inside and out. I was able to put off hard soled shoes until Sep/Oct.
7) I liked that she was 11-14 months during the summer. She really enjoyed getting in the pool with me and walking around outside.
8) I liked that she was almost 18 months on her second Christmas. It was a good age because there were a lot of good gift ideas for the grandparents. Things we all of the sudden needed once she got to this age, like ride-on toys etc.
9) And now, in her third summer, I am hopeful that we can start potty learning while the weather is warm. "


As for traditional schooling, it really depends on where you live. In most of BC, it goes by the year you were born so both my October sibs started school before they were 5 and did really well with it. However, many people do decide to hold back December babies (or more common have them do Kindergarden twice) but I think that really depends on the child. My male cousin was born on the 18th and was fine (2nd of 5 kids) whereas my female cousin was born on the 3rd (4th of 5, but number 5 didn't come until she was almost 7) and she repeated it. DH was fine.