ProteinNutrition library
LibraryNutrientsEnergy & macros
Protein
Structural building block for new maternal tissue (uterus, breast, blood) and for every fetal cell, especially muscle and organs.
Trimester focus
| Stage | For the mother | For the baby |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester | Needs are close to non-pregnant levels (46 g) — tissue growth hasn't yet ramped up. | Used for the basic cellular architecture laid down during organogenesis. |
| Second trimester | Needs rise to ~71 g/day as the uterus, placenta and breast tissue expand. | Drives rapid growth in muscle, organs and skeleton. |
| Third trimester | Stays elevated (~71 g/day), supporting the largest tissue and blood-volume gains. | Fuels the fastest phase of fetal weight and muscle accretion. |
Target note
Non-pregnant RDA 46 g; pregnancy adds ~25 g/day in T2–T3 → 71 g (1.1 g/kg). The T1 increase is negligible.