How Many Calories Do You Burn Giving Birth? | Amy Baby Review

Last Updated on April 20, 2023

Giving birth is a challenging yet rewarding experience. It’s also an incredibly strenuous activity – just ask any woman who has done it! Not only do you have to worry about the nine months of carrying a baby, but you also have to make sure you’re burning enough calories during labor and delivery.

In this blog post, we will explore how many calories you burn giving birth, what are the benefits of burning calories during labor and some other most important things that you need to know as a mother-to-be.

So, let’s get started!

How Many Calories Do You Burn During labor or Childbirth Process?

Child birth process is one of the most physically demanding things that a woman’s body can go through. Since there are countless variations, it is impossible for two pregnant women who have the same due date to experience the exact same calorie burn. Everyone’s experience will be different.

Sharon Tjaden told us the following about “how many calories does giving birth burn”:

“I burned more calories per day during my second and third trimesters. On average, I burned about 1,800 calories per day pre-pregnancy and during my first trimester”, said Sharon Tjaden, the author of Becoming Mother. “However, later in my pregnancy, I burned closer to 2,000-2,100 calories per day. On particularly active days towards the end of my pregnancy, I was up to 2,300-2400 calorie burn!”

It means that:

First Trimester (0 to 13 Weeks), the average calorie burn is 1800*91= 163800 calories

Second Trimester (14 to 26 Weeks), the average calorie burn is 2200*84 = 184800 calories

Third Trimester (27 to 40 Weeks), the average calorie burn is 2200*91 = 200200 calories

Total = 163800 + 184800 + 200200 = 548800 calories

* 13 weeks x 7 days = 91 days

12 weeks x 7 days = 84 days

13 weeks x 7 days = 91 days

2200 is the average burned calories of active and inactive days during the second and third trimesters.

Calories Burned Giving Birth: So, a pregnant woman burns around 548800 calories on average during the labor or childbirth process.

According to a report by Wren Kitchens, parenting can burn up to 50,000 calories in a month. That’s the equivalent of doing 200 burpees!

Also read: When To Buy Baby Crib For Your Newborn

How many calories does a woman burn during active labor?

How many calories do you burn when giving birth? Well! It really depends as the calorie burn during labor will vary depending on a number of factors such as the length of labor, the intensity of contractions, the position you are in during labor, etc.

In addition, you also need to account for your weight and the intensity you put in when calculating how many calories you’ll burn. After that, multiply that number by the amount of time spent in labor.

Even with these methods, you will never know how many calories you burn. Keep in mind that every woman is different and will have unique experiences. Scientists have tried to study this topic extensively, but it remains difficult due to the subjectivity of the data.

In one study, scientists found that calorie burn during labor could range from 400 to 700 calories per hour. In another study, researchers found that the average woman burns around 100 calories per hour during labor.

As you can see, the results vary greatly. The best way to find out how many calories you burn during labor is to ask your doctor or midwife.

Do uterine contractions burn calories?

A mother-to-be needs to consume a lot of calories to keep up their energy levels. However, they may not feel like eating as much as usual since their minds and bodies are so focused on giving birth.

Uterine contractions are one of the main factors that can affect calorie burn during labor. They can range from very mild to extremely intense. The stronger the contractions, the more calories you will burn.

In one study, scientists found that women with strong contractions burned more calories than women with weak contractions.

The study found that women with strong contractions burned an average of 500 calories per hour. Women with weak contractions burned an average of 200 calories per hour.

This means that contractions can greatly impact how many calories you burn during labor. You may want to eat more to have enough energy if you have strong contractions.

How Much Weight Should I Expect to Lose After Giving Birth?

It is common for women to lose around 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.8 kg) immediately after giving birth. This weight includes the baby, placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid.

Most of the weight is lost within the first week after delivery. After that, it is normal to lose 1-2 pounds (0.45-0.9 kg) per week until you reach your pre-pregnancy weight. It can take several months or even up to a year to reach your goal weight.

A 2013 research review found that most studies on breastfeeding and postpartum weight loss showed no difference in maternal weight whether the mother breastfed or not.

It is important to remember that every woman is different and will lose weight at her own pace. Some women may find it easy to lose weight, while others may have a harder time.

If you are struggling to lose weight, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian for help. They can provide tips on how to make healthy changes to your diet and exercise routine.

Could burn too many calories during childbirth lead to any risks?

Yes, it is possible to burn too many calories during childbirth. Both the mother and baby are at risk if too many calories are burned during childbirth. If the mother burns too many calories, she can become dehydrated. This can lead to a drop in her blood pressure, which could result in a decrease of oxygen to the baby or, worst-case scenario, death.

If the mother doesn’t have enough fluid in her body, she can lose too much blood, leading to premature birth or low birth weight.

Burning too many calories during labor can lead to hypoglycemia when your blood sugar levels drop too low.

Hypoglycemia can be dangerous for both you and your baby. It can cause you to feel dizzy, shaky, and tired. If it isn’t treated quickly, it can lead to seizures or even coma. For babies, hypoglycemia can cause jaundice, low birth weight, and problems with feeding.

It is important to be aware of the risks associated with burning too many calories during childbirth. You should also talk to your doctor or midwife if you are struggling to eat enough to keep up with your calorie needs. They can help you figure out how many calories you need and ensure you get the nutrients you need.

Is It more physically challenging to carry a baby to term than to complete the Tour de France?

It is probably both, according to a new paper published today in the journal Science Advances. By studying six runners who competed in a 14-week race where participants ran approximately one marathon per day six out of seven days weekly, a research team led by a scientist at Hunter College found that there is an upper limit to the amount of energy human bodies can consistently expend over time.

Most athletes competing in short competitions have a limit similar to this one, and it is almost the same as what pregnant women and lactating mothers can expend.

In conclusion, there seems to be a set amount of energy that humans can use up at once—and pregnancy testing these boundaries.

For most people who are not pregnant or professional athletes, our metabolism usually stays pretty consistent. The number of calories we burn day to day might change based on how active we are (or aren’t), but it typically balances out to stay around the same rate.

What are the best ways for pregnant women to ensure they get enough calories during childbirth?

Some tips for pregnant women to ensure they get enough calories during childbirth include:

-Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day.

-Choosing nutrient-rich foods such as lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

-Avoiding sugary drinks and empty calories.

-Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water or unsweetened fluids like herbal tea.

-Limiting caffeine intake.

-Exercising regularly.

-Getting adequate sleep.

What can happen if you don’t consume enough calories during childbirth?

A lack of nutrition while in the womb can adversely affect the fetal metabolism and, as a result, increase the baby’s likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes before birth. Furthermore, undernutrition during gestation can elevate one’s risk for cancers, cardiovascular disorders, infectious diseases and kidney problems later in life. Therefore, it is essential for pregnant women to consume enough calories during childbirth in order to support the health of both mother and child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping up

Thanks for reading!! We hope this blog post was informative and helped you understand how many calories you burn during labor or childbirth process. To sum up, we just want to say that giving birth is an amazing, life-changing experience that is different for every woman. And while it’s definitely not easy, it’s important to remember that your body is amazing and is capable of doing incredible things!

We hope this blog post has given you some peace of mind as you enter into this new chapter of your life. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help in any way we can!

Sharing is caring!