The Sims 4 Pregnancy Glitch Explained (March 2026) How to Fix?
The Sims 4’s pregnancy system completely broke after the July 1, 2026 patch, preventing players from taking pregnancy tests, using the “Try for Baby” interaction, and progressing through normal pregnancy stages. This game-breaking bug occurs because EA accidentally removed the pregnancy object state code that controls pregnancy mechanics, affecting both modded and unmodded games across PC and console platforms.
| Issue | What’s Broken | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Test | Option missing from toilet interactions | Under investigation |
| Try for Baby | Interaction vanished from beds/WooHoo locations | EA working on fix |
| Baby Bumps | Invisible or not appearing | Patch incoming |
| Pregnancy Progression | Sims stuck in first trimester | Temporary fixes available |
| All Sims Marked Pregnant | Every Sim flagged as pregnant internally | Causes vampire feeding issues |
What Exactly Is The Sims 4 Pregnancy Glitch?
I’ve been playing The Sims 4 since launch, and this is honestly one of the most catastrophic bugs I’ve seen hit the game. The pregnancy glitch isn’t just a minor inconvenience – it’s a fundamental breakdown of one of the game’s core systems that’s left thousands of players unable to continue their legacy challenges or family gameplay.
The technical explanation is actually quite shocking: EA removed the pregnancy object state from sims, which essentially deleted the code that tells the game whether a Sim is pregnant, what trimester they’re in, or if they’re in labor. Without this crucial piece of programming, the entire pregnancy system collapsed like a house of cards.
The Timeline of Chaos
The disaster began with the July 1, 2026 base game update, which was meant to prepare the game for the Enchanted by Nature expansion. Instead of smooth sailing, players woke up to find their pregnant Sims frozen in time and their “Try for Baby” options completely missing.
What makes this particularly frustrating is that the patch was meant to lay the groundwork for Enchanted by Nature, but instead created havoc that overshadowed the expansion’s magical features. Players who pre-ordered the expansion expecting fairy tale gameplay found themselves dealing with a very different kind of magic – the disappearing pregnancy test variety.
Complete List of Pregnancy Issues After The July 2026 Patch
1. Missing “Take Pregnancy Test” Option
The most immediately noticeable problem is the complete absence of pregnancy tests. After attempting to “Try for Baby,” clicking on any toilet shows no option to take a test – even after multiple successful WooHoo attempts. This affects:
- All household toilets
- Public restroom facilities
- Both base game and expansion pack toilets
- Unmodded vanilla games
2. “Try for Baby” Interaction Vanished
Many players report that the romantic interaction to conceive has completely disappeared from:
- Double beds
- Single beds (with appropriate mods)
- Hot tubs
- Shower/WooHoo bushes
- Observatory telescopes
- Closets
The only workaround currently is using the “Try for Science Baby” option via computer or phone, which bypasses the traditional conception method but removes the romantic element entirely.
3. Invisible or Missing Baby Bumps
When Sims do manage to get pregnant through workarounds, visual pregnancy progression is broken:
- First trimester bump may never appear
- Second trimester shows no visible changes
- Third trimester Sims look completely normal
- Maternity wear doesn’t trigger automatically
4. The “Everyone Is Pregnant” Bug
Perhaps the strangest manifestation is that every Sim in their game is marked as pregnant internally, even when they’re not. This creates bizarre situations like:
- Teen Sims flagged as pregnant (impossible without mods)
- Elder male Sims showing pregnancy markers
- Vampires unable to feed because they can’t drink from “pregnant” Sims
5. Pregnancy Progression Freeze
Sims who were pregnant before the patch often find themselves stuck:
- Remaining in first trimester indefinitely
- Labor never triggering after 72 Sim hours
- Pregnancy moodlets not updating
- No birth certificate generation
For those using pregnancy mods, the situation is even worse as The childbirth mod uses the pregnancy object state test over 200+ times, making most pregnancy-related mods completely non-functional.
Why The Pregnancy System Broke So Catastrophically
The Technical Explanation
According to prominent modders like PandaSama and Lumpinou, the root cause is shockingly simple yet devastating. The July 1 patch included “tech optimizations” where EA made changes to the Sim object tuning system. During this process, they inadvertently removed or broke the pregnancy commodity object states.
Think of it like removing the foundation from a house – without these object states, the game has no way to:
- Track pregnancy status
- Determine trimester progression
- Trigger pregnancy-related interactions
- Display appropriate moodlets or buffs
- Calculate due dates
The Domino Effect on Mods
The removal of pregnancy object states created a cascade failure affecting popular mods:
- Childbirth Mod: 50% functionality loss
- MC Command Center: Pregnancy modules broken
- Wonderful/Wicked Whims: Fertility systems impaired
- RPO (Relationship & Pregnancy Overhaul): Major features disabled
If you’re experiencing these issues and use mods, check out our guide on how to use Better Exceptions to identify which mods are affected.
Immediate Fixes and Workarounds
Official EA Response
As of July 10, 2026, EA has acknowledged the issue with We’ve identified the issues impacting Sim pregnancy; this change was made as part of tech optimizations, however after consideration we’re working to revert this. They’re actively working on reverting the changes, but no specific patch date has been announced.
Community-Created Solutions
1. Lumpinou’s Pregnancy Test Fix
Modder Lumpinou created a temporary fix that restores the pregnancy test interaction:
- File: Lumpinou_PregnancyTestInteractionFix.package
- Version for RPO users: Lumpinou_PregnancyTestInteractionFix_VersionForRPOusers.package
- Installation: Place in Mods folder like any other mod
- Compatibility: Works with both modded and unmodded games
2. Using MCCC as a Workaround
If you have MC Command Center installed:
- Click on your Sim
- Select MC Command Center > MC Pregnancy
- Choose “Start Pregnancy” to manually trigger it
- Use “Pregnancy Progression” to advance trimesters
For help installing mods, see our Sims 4 save files and mods folder guide.
3. The Science Baby Method
Currently the most reliable vanilla workaround:
- Have your Sim use a computer or phone
- Select “Try for Science Baby”
- Choose the co-parent from the list
- Pregnancy will progress normally from here
Preventative Measures
To protect your saves while waiting for an official fix:
- Disable Automatic Updates: Turn off auto-updates in Origin/EA App/Steam
- Backup Your Saves: Copy your entire saves folder before each play session
- Document Pregnancies: Keep notes on which Sims are pregnant and their progress
- Avoid Household Switching: Pregnancy may reset when changing active households
The Wider Impact on Gameplay
Affected Challenges and Playstyles
The pregnancy glitch has devastated several popular gameplay styles:
The 100 Baby Challenge
Players pursuing this challenge have found it literally impossible to continue. Without functioning pregnancy mechanics, the entire premise collapses. Many have put their challenges on indefinite hold.
Legacy Challenges
Generational gameplay relies heavily on pregnancy and family progression. Legacy players report being unable to continue their family lines, with some losing decades of gameplay progress.
Rotational Play
pregnancies get reset (so the Sim is no longer pregnant) if I switch households and the pregnancy hasn’t yet been confirmed ‘naturally’ – making rotational play nearly impossible for family-focused players.
The Vampire Problem
One of the most unexpected consequences affects vampire gameplay. Since you can’t feed off pregnant Sims, and the bug marks everyone as pregnant, vampires literally cannot feed without using cheats. Players report having to use skill cheats to keep their vampires alive.
Other Related Bugs From The Same Patch
The July 1 update didn’t just break pregnancy – it introduced a host of other issues:
Cleaning and Organization Bugs
- Cannot drag plates to trash bins
- Food won’t go into refrigerators via dragging
- Dirty diapers stuck in inventory
- Dishwashers not recognizing dishes
Build Mode Issues
- Whiteboards from Businesses & Hobbies disappearing
- Glass walls causing negative moodlets
- Ceilings vanishing when placing rooms
- Roof decorations not placing correctly
Career and School Problems
- Sims leaving work/school early when household members travel
- Promotions not triggering despite meeting requirements
- Work events failing to complete properly
Visual Glitches
- Black Sims with custom tattoos
- Pet fur rendering solid black
- Missing animations during interactions
- UI elements overlapping incorrectly
How to Report The Bug to EA?
If you’re experiencing pregnancy issues, reporting them helps EA prioritize fixes:
- Visit the EA Bug Report forum
- Search for existing pregnancy bug threads
- Click “Me Too” on relevant reports
- Add your specific details:
- Game version number
- Installed packs
- Mods used (if any)
- Steps to reproduce
- Save file (if requested)
When Will The Pregnancy Glitch Be Fixed?
Current Status Updates
As of March 2026, EA has confirmed they’re working on a fix but hasn’t provided a specific timeline. Based on historical patch patterns:
- Immediate Hotfix: Unlikely due to expansion launch
- Next Scheduled Patch: Most probable (typically 2-3 weeks)
- Emergency Patch: Only if community pressure intensifies
The July 10 patch fixed some issues like drag-and-drop cleaning but notably did NOT address pregnancy problems, suggesting a more complex fix is required.
What EA Is Doing?
developers stated that they are currently looking into these issues and promise to roll out a fix as quickly as possible. They’ve specifically mentioned reverting the “tech optimizations” that caused the problem rather than implementing a new system.
Best Practices While Waiting for a Fix
For Players Using Mods
- Update all mods to their latest versions
- Remove pregnancy-related mods temporarily
- Use Wicked Whims alternative pregnancy systems if available
- Keep MCCC handy for manual pregnancy control
For Vanilla Players
- Use Science Baby method exclusively
- Avoid aging up pregnant Sims (age up cheats may cause issues)
- Save before any pregnancy attempts
- Keep pregnancy-focused gameplay minimal
For Content Creators
- Warn viewers about the bug in videos/streams
- Demonstrate workarounds for your audience
- Avoid pregnancy-focused content temporarily
- Consider showcasing other expansion features
The History of Major Sims 4 Bugs
This isn’t the first time a patch has broken core gameplay:
Previous Game-Breaking Bugs
- The Aging Bug (2019): Sims aged up instantly
- The Fire Death Loop (2020): Sims caught fire repeatedly
- The Needs Decay Bug (2021): Needs dropped to zero instantly
- The Relationship Culling (2022): Game deleted all relationships
- The Save Corruption (2023): Saves became unloadable
What makes the pregnancy glitch particularly egregious is that it affects such a fundamental system that many players consider essential to their gameplay style.
Community Response and Memes
The Sims community has responded with typical humor:
- “My Sim’s pregnancy is lasting longer than an elephant’s”
- “Plot twist: Everyone’s pregnant but no one can prove it”
- “Vampires on hunger strike until EA fixes pregnancy”
- “The real Enchanted by Nature magic was making babies disappear”
Despite the frustration, the community has rallied together, sharing workarounds and supporting affected players through forums and social media.
Looking Forward: Lessons for EA
This bug highlights several ongoing issues with The Sims 4’s development:
- Lack of Proper Testing: Major features breaking suggests insufficient QA
- Code Dependencies: Removing one element shouldn’t break entire systems
- Communication Gaps: Players need clearer timelines for fixes
- Mod Support: Official recognition of how patches affect mods
For the best Sims 4 experience while dealing with bugs, consider upgrading your setup with one of these recommended laptops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I take a pregnancy test in Sims 4 after the July 2026 update?
The pregnancy test option disappeared because EA accidentally removed the pregnancy object state code during “tech optimizations” in the July 1 patch. This affects all players regardless of mods or expansions installed. Use Lumpinou’s fix mod or the Science Baby workaround until EA releases an official patch.
Is the Sims 4 pregnancy glitch affecting console players too?
Yes, the pregnancy glitch affects all platforms including PC, Mac, PlayStation 4/5, and Xbox One/Series X/S. Console players have fewer workaround options since they can’t use mods, making the Science Baby method their only reliable option currently.
How do I know if my Sim is pregnant during the glitch?
Without pregnancy tests, watch for morning sickness moodlets or use cheats/mods to check pregnancy status. You can also try the Science Baby method which bypasses the broken traditional pregnancy system. Some players report pregnancy moodlets still appearing even without visible bumps.
Will my pregnant Sim give birth during this glitch?
Sims who were already pregnant may get stuck in their current trimester indefinitely. Some players report using relationship cheats to age up babies manually if birth doesn’t trigger naturally after 72 Sim hours.
Can I still get twins or choose baby gender during the pregnancy glitch?
The broken pregnancy system affects all pregnancy features including twin chances and gender influence. The Science Baby method doesn’t allow for twins or gender selection. Players wanting specific outcomes must wait for the fix or use mods like MCCC.
Should I avoid playing Sims 4 until the pregnancy bug is fixed?
You can still play, but avoid pregnancy-focused gameplay. Focus on other features like building, careers, or exploring the new Enchanted by Nature content. Always backup saves before playing and consider disabling auto-updates to prevent future issues.
Why does the pregnancy glitch affect vampires?
The bug marks all Sims as pregnant internally, and vampires cannot feed on pregnant Sims by design. This creates an impossible situation where vampires have no valid feeding targets, requiring cheats or mods to sustain them.
How long do Sims 4 bug fixes usually take?
Major gameplay bugs typically get fixed within 2-3 weeks. However, the pregnancy glitch’s complexity and the recent expansion launch might extend this timeline. EA has acknowledged the issue but hasn’t provided a specific date for the fix.
Conclusion
The Sims 4 pregnancy glitch of March 2026 stands as one of the most significant bugs in the game’s decade-long history. While EA works on an official fix, the community has once again proven its resilience by creating workarounds and supporting affected players. Whether you’re a legacy player, challenge enthusiast, or casual family gameplay fan, this bug has likely impacted your game in some way.
Stay updated on the latest patches, keep your saves backed up, and remember – in true Sims fashion, sometimes the most chaotic moments create the best stories. The pregnancy system will be fixed eventually, but until then, we’re all in this together, navigating the strangest maternity ward glitch The Sims 4 has ever seen.
For now, embrace the Science Baby method, thank the modding community for their quick fixes, and maybe take this opportunity to explore other aspects of the game you might have overlooked. After all, there’s never been a better time to master those building skills or dive into the magical world of fairies in Enchanted by Nature – just don’t expect them to have babies anytime soon!