These are the most fertile days of the year
Today is September 30th, the day when most Dutch people celebrate their birthdays. This means I know exactly when most babies are conceived: during the holidays. How cozy. Apparently, the combination of this intensely cozy period, early darkness, colder weather, some free days, and a little too much wine together creates the perfect mix for some extra love towards each other. And that results in a baby boom nine months later. So the most fertile days in the Netherlands are indeed the holidays.
The ‘holiday effect’
When you think of the holidays, you immediately see that wonderful atmosphere of togetherness, coziness, and a little extra time for each other. So not just cozy dinners, but also time to get closer together. The combination of cozy Christmas parties, a busy work month behind us, and the winter cold makes many couples feel ‘extra connected’ in winter. You could call it a sort of ‘baby peak’. Because the statistics clearly show: after Christmas and New Year’s, we mainly see births peak in September, exactly nine months later.
The numbers:
It turns out that most conceptions take place between Christmas and New Year’s, which leads to the baby boom in September. If we extend those numbers further, it appears that September 30th is the most popular birth date in the Netherlands. Yes, it’s true: the babies we make during the holidays arrive with a bang nine months later.
Why is this so?
The holidays are the perfect mix of coziness, vacation, and cold winter evenings. Everyone is at home, the atmosphere is relaxed, making it the perfect time for a little extra romance under that green Christmas tree. Holidays ensure that people have time and peace for each other and a little extra love under the sheets. And yes, that can sometimes lead to a small sweet baby.
The most fertile days of the year:
When we talk about the ‘most fertile’ days of the year, we don’t just mean the holidays – although they apparently do contribute significantly. But there is of course a scientific fact: you are most fertile during the period around your ovulation. In an average 28-day cycle, this usually occurs around day 14. The most fertile days? Those are the two days before your ovulation and the day itself, because sperm can survive for up to five days and an egg remains fertile for about 24 to 48 hours. So, besides those cozy Christmas evenings, you also need to have your ovulation! The fact remains that we collectively tend to do it a bit more often during the holidays.
The least birth months:
September is by far the winner when it comes to a baby peak, but November and December are the months with the fewest births. February and March are the least fertile months. Maybe due to a winter day? By the way, I have a daughter born in November and a son born in January, so I’m not entirely in this wave movement. Many people also choose to time their pregnancy so that their child is not born during the holidays.
Conclusion:
So, today, September 30th is not just an ordinary day. It is proof of the ‘holiday birth’. I find it super romantic, conceived around Christmas or New Year’s. They have the coziness of the holidays as a starting point.
And even though I would have preferred my children to have been born in the summer, purely practically speaking, celebrating outside is nice, I really haven’t been bothered by that at all. I had the privilege of carrying two healthy pregnancies. Then let it be the parties in November and January. Cozy breaking down the house with friends and family.
