Do male fetuses (fetii?) need more calories?

[Elastigrrrl]

Hi all. I've really tried to keep my weight gain at a reasonable rate for a number of reasons, mostly health-related. But at 21 weeks I've suddenly come on all ravenous, which isn't really consistent with the guidelines that one doesn't need to actually eat more till the third trimester. I'm carrying a boy and have taken some consolation in reading that boy fetuses need 10% more calories, but could this just be that women pregnant with boys THINK their boys need feeding so eat accordingly?
Thanks!

Where did you read that? Sounds like bad science.....

If you are hungry just eat... And enjoy!

Was it the research described in this article that you have seen?

It's interesting (I had a ds, PFB!) - I had not come across this idea before.

21 weeks today with a girl and absolutely ravenous at all times - don't know what my excuse is

Where did you read this? Eat healthily, eat well and don't worry about whether it's too much.
I was starving in second tri, and third. It was glorious being able to eat without worry about fitting into my clothes!

when i was expecting my son after 2 girls i was the complete op to you i was hardly hungary and didnt eat much i dont think they would require more cal's but im no expert never heard of it before my son was born 11 weeks ago and was 6.9 at birth 40+2 :)

I think it's nonsense but I'm having a boy and am loving stuffing myself stupid so any excuse and I'm in there!

Hi ladies. Yes Brighton, that is the study. I won't claim they are necessarily right but the science looks sound to me and the teams are among the best in the field (I work in science). my only query was whether the mothers knew they were having males so thought they should 'feed growing boys'!
Thanks for everyone's thoughts, and yes I agree, eating when hungry is probably the way to go :)

That 'growing boys' stuff really should only apply from adolescence onwards as this is when men's bodies need the higher intake of calories to support growth spurts (they tend to be taller and bigger than most women and have more muscle from this age). Before adolescence boys and girls are pretty much the same. Any children who take part in more sports are probably going to need more food, male or female.

There is a study somewhere that suggests that women stop breastfeeding girls earlier than boys also: I personally think it's about cultural norms. I think (and many may disagree) that we subconsciously worry about having a fat girl, but feel encouraged (by ourselves and others) to 'build up' a strong growing boy.

Also I was born 11 pounds, much bigger than my older brother and we were both ten days late . I'm 5'5'' and a size 8-10.

I've been starving since about week 8. Dont know if i'm carrying a boy but whatever it is it is causing me to become a bottomless pit! Week 19 and i've gained 17 lbs already.. but from a low base as i was 'wedding weight'.
i havent ever heard though that it's only in 3rd T that you need more calories- i thought it was from earlier than that.

My appetite has stabalised a little bit in recent weeks so am hoping in my case the weight gain slows down now!

ETA- was curious about fetii so i googled..it's fetuses: Fetus is a greek word and thus cannot end with "i". Only plural words with latin roots end in "i".

(our day has not been a waste ladies!!! :))

Don't worry about how many calories you are consuming, just focus on eating healthy, nutritious food and eat to appetite.

FWIW I was most hungry (and gained most weight) around the 20-28 week mark, but much less hungry in the 3rd trimester. Your body knows what it, and your baby, needs.

All very sensible. I'll try to clamber off the calorie-counting wagon.

Chica thanks for checking; inquiring minds wanted to know and now we do!

I used To wake up in the wee small hours with headaches caused by hunger while I was pregnant, after the morning sickness eased off.

I had girls.