Pregnancy calories?

I've heard everyone say that you should go about 300 calories more when expecting.  But is this 300 over maintenance?  I've never read anything that clearly stated it.  I am 202 (down from 275 lbs!) lbs and have about 2000 calories a day for maintenance.  So are we talking 2300?  I have been at 1200 for so long it will be absolutely insane to try to pack that many more healthy calories in...lol!  If that's the number...that's what I'll do!  I can't get into the doctor until the 21st...argh!

i have the same question! i just found out i am pregnant, and have been between 1250 and 1500 for so long! i am also really afraid to gaining too much with this pregnancy... i just lost 50 lbs this year and don't want to have to start over!  so is 1500 (maitaniance or current+300) ok for me, or 1800 (maitaniance+300) where i need to be?  and do i have to start now, or when i actually start feeling hungerier? i am only 5 week and don't feel different yet.  i see the doc on the 30th. 

My understanding is that it is over maintenance.  You should not have a calorie deficit if pregnant and starting at a healthy weight.  You don't really have to go 300 over maintenance in your 1st trimester.  Maintenance alone should be good--but that includes eating back your exercise calories.  That's my take on it...but I'm sure your Dr. would be happy to discuss with you too.

Congrats to both of you!

My doctor never actually told me to eat more while pregnant. I started out at a healthy weight.

I would agree with gretamarie...you should not have a calorie deficit while pregnant and you do not have to eat more during your first trimester. You're only supposed to gain 5 pounds or less the first trimester.

Is it possible to call your doctor and ask them over the phone? I can always leave a message for my doctor and his nurse calls me back pretty quickly.

Congratulations all around :)

PS-Isn't it horrible waiting for that first appointment?! I didn't see my doctor until The days just crawled by! Looking back now, the entire pregnancy went by in a flash. Enjoy it!

I'm fairly sure this is over maintanance. You have to have some nutrients to give to the baby! Any deficit below maintenance will go towards running your body at this point, and not towards your growing fetus. Think of it as 9 months of maintenance, at which you have a higher BMR (because of being pregnant). Plus, after birthing your child, breast feeding is one of natures miracles for weight loss, as long as you are eating healthy foods at the right amounts.

That being said, I think 300 calories over maintenance is more for later in the pregnancy. If you are in your first trimester, maintenance calories are probably fine, and beyond that just slowly increase. But of course, do what your doctor suggests!

I once read that it takes 80,000 calories to grow a baby. That breaks down to 285 calories a day for the entire 40 weeks. Since most women don't find out they're pregnant until they're a couple weeks along, it breaks down to 300 calories per day over the course of 38 weeks. This is probably where the magic number 300 comes from.

um ok, I first of all have to say that I am happy I am pregnant - but worried. I was down to 120 lbs a little over a year ago and everyone told me i was looking rather gaunt. So I let myself go and be lazy for a year! I gained back 20 pounds . My fault I know - but then i got preggerz and now i'm in my 15th week and I can't stop eating UBER unhealthy! I'm close if not OVER 150 pounds now and it's kind of freaking me out at this point. I need intervention and seriously feel like i've given up.  I know I shouldn't LOSE wieght while pregnant, and i don't know if it's safe to even stop/stall wieght gain at this point. I want to work out but it's been a while and i need something that's effective and safe at getting me toned up again and geared up for (especially) after I have the baby! I just need to cry now I think....help!

iridescent_identity,

Try swimming!  My mom swam for exercise when she was pregnant with me and loved it.  It's great full body exercise and you can even leave out arms/legs alternately if you're trying to tone one particular area

thats a decent idea - my daughter would be thrilled if i took to swimming with her (she's 7)...I'll have too look into my local YMCA for that 1...thanks :)

I'd add  300 to what you've been eating, unless you had a very restricted calorie intake, like less than 1500 a day.  I'm doing 1800 and when i was losing weight here i'd consume 1000 at times, but i know if i only consumed 1300 it wouldn't be enough for the baby.

Thanks for the posts ladies!  I think I am going to get as many calories as I can in a day at this point with morning sickness...shooting for maintenance calories or about 2000 right now.  I sure can't keep the 1200-1300 I have been doing up.