Did you do it during the holidays? December is the biggest month for conceptions
If you got it on over the holidays, you were not alone.
But seriously, according to multiple studies, December has the highest rate of conception of any month.
“1. Conception rates reach their annual peak in December, with 9 percent of all U.S. conceptions occurring during that month.
August is the annual “trough,” with the year’s fewest number of conceptions. The University of Texas–affiliated study that yielded this stat confirms similar findings in many other studies showing that most babies are born in late September, while the fewest are born in April. “Biologic hypotheses include deterioration of sperm quality during summer, seasonal differences in anterior pituitary-ovarian function caused by changes in the daylight length, and variation in quality of the ovum or endometrial receptivity,” the study’s authors write. “Increased sexual activity associated with end-of-year holiday festivities has also been postulated.”…
Need more evidence?
“2. More than twice as many condoms are sold in the week before Christmas than in the week after Christmas.
This sales pattern is “strongly suggestive of an acute increase in sexual activity over the Christmas period,” write the authors of the scholarly study that yielded this stat. “The sharp increase in sales in the week before Christmas and the sharp fall in sales in the week after Christmas indicate some stockpiling.” The rise in sexual activity during late December “has been interpreted largely in the context of merrymaking. The period from Christmas to the New Year is associated with increased opportunities for socializing and a generally more hedonistic approach to life,” the authors write.”…
“4. When the tax benefits of having a child are increased by $500, the probability of that child being conceived so as to be born during the last week of December rises by 27 percent.
Does the idea of a refund make you hot? “Because the annual tax savings associated with a birth are realized if the birth takes place any time before midnight January 1, parents… have an incentive to time the birth at the end of December rather than at the beginning of January,” write the authors of the Syracuse University–affiliated study that yielded this stat.”
What are other high-conception times?
The Daily Beast reports: “At midnight, during spring break, when it rains, and when they haven’t just lost their jobs, recent research reveals.”
Apparently Michael and I go against the grain. The article reports that the summer is actually a low conception time (they think because it’s hot people aren’t doing it) but that’s when we conceived all three kids. It’s called AC people. Get some.
What do you think of December being the highest conception time? Do you think it’s for a tax write off or because people are celebrating? Did you fall into any of the high-conception times?
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30 comments Add your comment
Yes...
January 3rd, 2012
8:26 am
…and every “holiday” chance we get in Jan, Feb, March, April, May, June, July, Aug. Sept, Oct & Nov, too…
DB
January 3rd, 2012
8:32 am
Hmm. Well, we know a couple who have two children, both born on the same day in September. Coincidentally, the couple always went on a ski trip in early January.
After the second child, they stopped going on ski trips :-)
Techmom
January 3rd, 2012
9:05 am
Nope, no sex in December here. I’m on strike. Hubby wants another baby and I do NOT.
And who in the world thinks getting a $500 tax break makes it worth having a baby?
We have a lot of March and October birthdays in our family so it appears that January & July are popular months to have sex. I figure it’s cold in January and people are bored/on vacation in July. We have our fair share of November birthdays too… I’m guessing those are Valentine babies.
MatthewH
January 3rd, 2012
9:09 am
Point #4 talks about the baby being BORN in December not conceived then. That would put conception around Valentines Day.
Me
January 3rd, 2012
9:16 am
The holiday season doesn’t really affect us in this regard — We have an awesome sex life and “get some” 3 to 5 times a week on average and mostly with each other!
JOD
January 3rd, 2012
9:32 am
Happy New Year, all!
Seems ironic to me these studies say people don’t want to get busy when it’s hot in summer, but those who took advantage of the holidays are pregnant during the summer heat. Between the 2, I’d rather be pregnant in the winter.
I can neither confirm nor deny a spike in activity sparked by the holidays…
motherjanegoose
January 3rd, 2012
9:33 am
Not sure if this flies but often 2 three day weekends in a row ?
Augusta
January 3rd, 2012
9:44 am
Very Active sex life here…..no need to wait till the holidays. After 20 years of marriage it just keeps getting better!!!
TnT's Mom
January 3rd, 2012
10:02 am
We have one born on Sept 9th. conceived either our anniversary Dec 29th or New Years Eve. The 3 day weekends and vacation time I am sure contribute to a relaxed atmosphere and make couples more likely to enjoy each other’s company, maybe?
oneofeach4me
January 3rd, 2012
10:15 am
“I can neither confirm nor deny a spike in activity sparked by the holidays…” LOL!! Spoken like a true politician!
Honestly I don’t keep up with what month it is. Sex happens on average 2-3 times a week no matter what time of year it is. Although… for a short time period in between birth control options that number was cut in half! Two is enough for us!
catlady
January 3rd, 2012
10:33 am
Well, my babies were born in August and September….
tranurse
January 3rd, 2012
10:45 am
well, i was born september 9th, which means i was conceived on new year’s eve or thereabouts. my older son was born march 27th, and his daddy’s b-day is june 23. or you could be like my mom and her siblings. their b-days are jan 24, 1948, jan 25, 1949 and jan 28, 1942. my gramma’s b-day was march 19th………..
Gwinnett Mom
January 3rd, 2012
11:42 am
I dont think its rite 2 discuss this subject where kids can read it.
Wayne
January 3rd, 2012
11:58 am
@Gwinnett Mom: The horrible spelling/composition, or the subject of the blog?
BTW: Happy New Year everyone!
So, Gwinnett Mom...
January 3rd, 2012
11:59 am
…what “rite” would that be – a “rite” of passage, a religious “rite”, or a satanic “rite”?
K's mom
January 3rd, 2012
1:00 pm
Both of our boys will have May birthdays. Northside told us the first go round that May is the second busiest baby month because of end of summer vacations. They confirmed that for them August and early September is their busiest time.
I will have to say that April/May seems to be perfect for the end of pregnancy. I will never have to wear a bathing suit while feeling humongous and by the time my feet get so big that none of my shoes fit, it will be flip flop season.
I am also super excited that all of those baby clothes in the basement will be used again and then consigned and donated!
Gwinnett Mom
January 3rd, 2012
1:11 pm
I dont like the sex talk. Children can read this. I supose it OK to talk about ussing drugs or drinking alcholol 2!
For some 1 who clams 2 be a mom, you are a bad influance 4 children!
TnT's Mom
January 3rd, 2012
1:34 pm
I dont think too many kids are are actually reading this blog. Besides, they are hearing and learning about sex anyway, it should be from parents. An involved parent would know what they are reading online then have a discussion about. At least this blog is mostly talking about normal married folks having babies. Whats wrong with that?
Wayne
January 3rd, 2012
2:16 pm
Wow, I don’t usually pick on anyone with regard to spelling, but if you’re going to worry about bad influences, at least spell correctly?
At least make an attempt at it? Yes, I know it’s a blog and the rules are a little bit loose, but holy schnikes!
As for the topic, I don’t see the issue as to what kids would infer from this. It’s about conception, not the act itself. What’s the problem?
Be nicer, Wayne...
January 3rd, 2012
3:03 pm
…there are A LOT of people in Gwinnett County and the Atlanta area that are not like any of the people you have to see and deal with in the BAHSTON area regarding their, shall we say, spelling abilities…
In consistent BloGGer
January 3rd, 2012
3:25 pm
2 questions.
1) To Theresa……Did you do it over the holidays?
2) To everyone else……..Does anyone know of an illegal massage parlor?…..Near the airport would be perfect.
Thanks
Wayne
January 3rd, 2012
3:40 pm
Thankfully, I don’t park my car in Harvard Yard! :)
mom of 3
January 3rd, 2012
4:28 pm
As the old saying goes – “the more you talk about something the less you are doing it”.
mom2alex&max
January 3rd, 2012
5:36 pm
Usually Dec is a busier month for us in that regard, but not this year…not really sure what happened.
My babies were born in July and Feb..so, no connection there.
tranurse
January 3rd, 2012
5:59 pm
well, i certainly don’t tell my kids when and where and how often their dad and i have sex. that would just be all kinds of inappropriate. but, they are 13 and 16, so they know where babies come from and how they got there. i’ve never been shy to talk to my kids about sex. i figure, if they ask me, then they are old enough for the answer. i’m very open with them, age appropriately of course. my first job out of nursing school was on an aids unit. i’ve seen too many people die, horrible deaths. if telling my kids where babies come from, how to use a condom, how not to get vd can keep them safe—- then i’m going to tell them all i can about sex.
tranurse
January 3rd, 2012
6:01 pm
oh, and conception can take place up to 2 days or so after the act. it’s been a while since nursing school, so i don’t really remember.
Erin
January 3rd, 2012
6:04 pm
Technically, a pregnancy is supposed to be 40 weeks, so that equals the full ninth month, right?
So if you’re talking a full term pregnancy, September babies should have been conceived in December. I was born in early September and my parents were certain it happened in early December, not at New Year’s.
And if April is supposed to be a light month for births, that’s news to me. I know more people born in April than any other month of the year.
HB
January 3rd, 2012
6:09 pm
Techmom, re: tax incentives. My guess is no one plans conception so that the baby is born in late December. Rather, c-sections and inductions are scheduled a few days earlier — if two options are Dec 30 and Jan 2, people figure why not go for the earlier date and get the $500.
JOD
January 3rd, 2012
6:47 pm
Wayne is right, sheesh! As someone educated in Gwinnett County, I can verify that we generally speak proper English and avoid the bumper sticker talk that someone seems to prefer.
JATL
January 3rd, 2012
7:30 pm
December isn’t a “big” month for us! I guess our second child got his start in very late December or early January (I think it was early January). Our first was conceived in June. I’m with you TWG -try some air conditioning people! The sultry summertime always gets me going more than winter. Fall is good too…