Module 5: Prenatal Exertion
Overview
This module tracks the risks and benefits of physical activity during pregnancy, monitoring three interconnected factors: exercise intensity, body temperature, and hydration levels. Staying active is important during pregnancy, but pregnant Sims need to know their limits and take proper precautions to keep both themselves and their baby safe.
Prenatal Exercise
Benefits of Safe Exercise
Regular safe exercise provides:
- Improved overall health during pregnancy
- Reduction in pregnancy complications
- Higher chance of positive childbirth outcomes
- Pregnancy Glow (highest level): Unlock the coveted luminous pregnancy glow!
- Other Sims will compliment your Sim’s radiant appearance
- Increased friendship gains from positive social interactions
Risks of Unsafe Exercise
If your pregnant Sim does too many strenuous or unsafe exercises, they risk:
- Overexertion and negative side effects
- Increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth
- Braxton(Simston) Hicks contractions – During the third trimester, excessive strenuous exercise may trigger false labor, tricking your Sim into thinking they’re going into labor when they’re not
New Pregnancy-Safe Exercises
This module adds specialized exercises designed for pregnancy:
- Prenatal Yoga Routine – Pregnant sims can now do yoga! Prenatal yoga routine has now been added which includes poses that will provide the best benefits to the sim for their pregnancy
- Go for a Waddle – pregnant sims may not be able to go for a jog but now they can go for a waddle around the block which will improve their health considerably.
- Kegel Exercises – Click on your sim and do kegel exercises. these are the best as they can be done anywhere, anytime and anyplace and no one has to know! Its important to do kegel exercises to improve pregnant sims pelvic muscles
- Prenatal Stretch – Click on your sim and do some stretching to loosen up joints and reduce discomfort.
Helpful Feature: In-game tooltips appear above exercise options to show which are safe and which should be avoided during pregnancy!
**NEW** Pregnancy Squats
Created in collaboration with ShineBrightGamer!
Three custom BASE GAME COMPATIBLE squat exercises designed to help pregnant Sims prepare for labor through hip opening and pelvic floor strengthening.
Available Squat Types:
- Shallow Squats – Gentle, partial depth squats
- Deep Squats – Full depth squats
- Yogi Squat – Hold a deep squat pose for extended periods (15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour)
Available through self-interactions on pregnant Sims under Fitness or when clicking the ground.
Intensity & Fitness Requirements:
Exercise | Intensity | Fitness Requirement |
Shallow Squats | Low | 0 |
Deep Squats | Moderate | 4 |
Yogi Squat (15 minutes) | Moderate | 2 |
Yogi Squat (30 minutes) | Moderate | 3 |
Yogi Squat (1 hour) | High | 6 |
Exercise Blocks:
Squats are blocked if pregnant sim is:
- Injured: Cannot exercise while injured
- Gets the Stiff Plank buff (Module 6): Too stiff to exercise safely
- Has Sciatica(Module 6): Deep Squats only
Successful squats reduce sciatica risk by strengthening muscles and relieving nerve pressure. Failed squats increase sciatica risk, with higher intensity exercises causing larger increases when unsuccessful.
Strenuous Activity Risk:
Failed exercise attempts increase strenuous activity risk. Higher intensity exercises (Yogi Squat 1 hour, Deep Squats) result in larger risk increases when unsuccessful compared to lower intensity exercises (Shallow Squats).
During Labor (Requires Pandasama Childbirth):
Squats performed during active labor will also increase dilation:
- Shallow Squats: Small dilation increase per interval
- Deep Squats: Moderate dilation increase per interval
- Yogi Squat: Highest dilation increase per interval (longer durations = more total benefit)
Using gravity-assisted positions during labor can help speed up the process naturally.
Hyperthermia
During pregnancy, a sim’s body temperature naturally increases, making pregnant Sims more susceptible to hyperthermia (overheating). This risk is especially high when exercising or in hot environments.
Important Considerations
- Pregnant Sims have a harder time cooling down compared to non-pregnant Sims
- Monitor exposure to hot temperatures carefully
- Exercise in hot weather poses the highest risk
- Take precautions to prevent overheating
Note: Overheating and dehydration are interconnected – staying hydrated helps regulate body temperature!
Dehydration
Water intake is critical during pregnancy. Proper hydration supports increased blood volume, amniotic fluid production, and overall health for both Sim and baby.
Hydration Tracking
- Pregnant Sims need to drink water regularly throughout the day
- Dehydration risk increases in hot temperatures
- Being well-hydrated helps reduce overheating risk
- Severe dehydration causes dizziness, disorientation, and poses significant risk to the fetus
- Super hydration improves mental and physical performance
New Sources of Hydration
On the computer, you will be able to access a curated list of pregnancy-safe hydration options, which can be ordered directly into sims’ inventory.
Refillable Water Bottle
- Pregnant sims can purchase a refillable water bottle from the computer and fill at any sink
- Keep your Sim hydrated throughout the day and when traveling to other lots
- Track water levels by hovering over the bottle in your Sim’s inventory
Prenatal Electrolyte drink
Pregnant Sims have access to a special Prenatal Electrolyte drink to help maintain proper hydration during exercise and throughout pregnancy.
IV Hydration Therapy
- Book this premium service from your Sim’s phone which provides intensive hydration when your Sim needs it most
Ideal for severe dehydration situations
Adeepindigo HealthCare - Pregnancy Module Integration
If you have adeepindigo’s Healthcare Redux mod installed, this module integrates seamlessly with its pregnancy complication systems:
- Gestational Diabetes: Exercise choices affect blood sugar management. Safe, appropriate exercise can help regulate blood sugar levels, while overexertion may have negative effects.
- Preeclampsia & Dehydration: Strenuous exercise increases the risk of dehydration, which can worsen preeclampsia symptoms. The mod monitors your Sim’s activity level and hydration status to determine health outcomes.
Module Specific Requirement
Base Game Compatible: YES – This module works fully with base game exercise equipment and activities.
Optional (Enhances Features):
- EA Spa Day pack (for yoga and stretch interactions – particularly beneficial safe exercise options for pregnancy)
- EA Seasons pack (for hyperthermia/overheating risks during exercise in hot weather)
- adeepindigo’s Healthcare Redux mod (for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and dehydration integration)
- Pandasama’s Exercise Ball mod (integrates with pregnancy-safe exercise tracking)