Question

A primigravida woman at 12 weeks of gestation comes to the antenatal clinic for nutritional advice. Which of the following will you recommend? 

• A. Additional 300 kcal in 2nd trimester
• B. Additional 300 kcal in 1st trimester
• C. Additional 400 kcal in 3rd trimester
• D. Additional 300 kcal throughout the pregnancy

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

When advising a primigravida woman at 12 weeks of gestation on nutritional needs, it's important to consider the different caloric requirements during each stage of pregnancy. During the first trimester of pregnancy, there is no significant increase in caloric needs. However, as pregnancy progresses, the energy requirements change:

• First Trimester: No additional calories are generally needed.
• Second Trimester: An additional intake of around 300 kcal per day is recommended to support the growth and development of the fetus as the pregnancy advances.
• Third Trimester: Typically, an increase in caloric intake is required, but it is more individualized based on specific needs.

Therefore, based on the stages of gestation and their corresponding energy needs, the correct recommendation for a primigravida woman who is advancing into the second trimester is:

Additional 300 kcal in 2nd trimester