300 or 500 Cals during pregnancy

[newtress, LPN]

Hey all, going to sit for the NCLEX in about 2 weeks. Going over my many review books I found a repetative question come up. Wonder if any of you awsome nurses might know what the caloric increase is during pregnancy. My school texts say 500 cals, other sources including the NCLEX review books state 300 cals is the correct answer. Just one of those "bugging me all night" questions. Ya never know what might show up on state board so thought I'd ask what is the guideline for today. Thank y'all.

[nkochrn, RN]

I really thought it was 500 but according to this quiz on WebMd it is 300.

http://www.webmd.com/baby/pregnancy-nutrition-quiz

[kitti419]

Not a nurse but I just finished my 2nd pregnancy & I'm pretty sure it's 300. If you nurse, you get 500 extra per day.

[kitti419]

Let me clarify: If you breastfeed, I think it's 500 extra per day.

[dreavt, BSN, RN]

We learned 300 extra a day while pregnant; 500 extra while breastfeeding. That's what was in my maternity text books, and that was in the Saunders review book.

Good luck!

[KateRN1]

Ditto to the above--300 calories per day average while pregnant, 500 while breastfeeding up to about a year. After about a year when baby starts taking in more table foods, caloric needs for breastfeeding mom go down a bit, but not sure by how much since no nutrition class I've ever had addresses breastfeeding toddlers.

[CarsonsMommy]

We learned 300 extra a day while pregnant; 500 extra while breastfeeding. That's what was in my maternity text books, and that was in the Saunders review book.

Good luck!

:yeahthat:

That's what we just covered in OB

[newtress, LPN]

Thanks so much. That clears it up for me!

[kmarie724]

We learned 300 extra a day while pregnant; 500 extra while breastfeeding. That's what was in my maternity text books, and that was in the Saunders review book.

Good luck!

:yeahthat: I just had a baby in December '08 and that's what my doc told me too.

[KAYBDT6, BSN, RN]

300 calories during pregnancy

500 calories during lactation.

[nkochrn, RN]

I was just gonna come back and ask if maybe the 500 cals was for breastfeeding. I see my questions already been answered.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

It makes sense if you think about it. When you're supporting a smaller human being, you need less calories. A breastfeeding baby has higher caloric needs, and so would the nursing mom!