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The Christmas holidays would be conducive to many baby conceptions in France as elsewhere. But this phenomenon is not necessarily linked to the festive period, nor to the ambient Christmas spirit.
Babies born between August or September are numerous, and are often conceived during the Christmas holidays. Or so we think. Between the holidays, the long, cold nights, the crackling fireplace and the cozy Christmas spirit, everything seems to come together to increase intimate connections. And yet! This is not the reason for this boom in births 9 months later.
More efficient sperm in winter
The reason is, in fact, more biological than romantic. According to several studies, the cold season benefits more… Sperm quality. A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology indeed demonstrates that sperm quality improves in winter compared to summer. Production would also be more concentrated, among men whose production is within the norm: 70 million sperm per milliliter of semen, compared to 68 million at the end of spring.
Finally, these would be more lively during the cold season, and therefore more likely to reach a woman’s egg, which increases the chances of conceiving. Not to mention that a woman’s egg – a mature female reproductive cell – becomes more receptive to sperm at this time of year.
“Based on our results, (normal) sperm will function best in winter, while infertility cases linked to low sperm counts should be measured in spring and autumn.”write the researchers.
Hormonal levels also higher
This is not the only physical reason that explains this baby boom. Another 2021 study found that men had highest testosterone levels in fall and winter, while the lowest were in January and May. The team found that testosterone levels were influenced by temperature and the amount of daylight. Testosterone is a male sex hormone mainly produced in the testes but whose receptors are distributed throughout the body. According to the Mayo Clinic, it helps maintain bone density, fat distribution, muscle mass, facial and body hair, libido and sperm production. It also leads to better chances of conceiving.
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Time of year can also affect baby’s health
Finally, a 2013 study found that the time of conception also influences babies’ health. Babies conceived in May would therefore be 13% more likely to be born prematurely, one week earlier on average. According to the study, gestation – the length of time the fetus remains in the uterus – declined steadily from January to May before returning to normal levels in June. Babies conceived at the end of the year are therefore on average those who stay the longest in their mother’s womb.
We might as well say it clearly, if you are looking to conceive, now is the right time!