If you’re pregnant eating a balanced nutrient-rich diet along with exercise is important for both you and your developing baby. Your baby needs nutrients to grow at a healthy rate. It’s true a pregnant woman needs some extra calories but you don’t have to eat for two. So the question is - How much calories you need? The average pregnant woman needs about 300 extra calories a day. This will help her maintain weight gain during pregnancy. For most pregnant women the right amount of calories is: 1800 calories per day in the 1st trimester 2200 calories per day in