Protein is especially vital for your baby's growth during the second and third trimesters. According to the Mayo Clinic, during pregnancy you need about 71 g of protein per day. Ideally, you'll want to get your protein from a balanced healthy diet, but you still can miss out on vital nutrients and need a supplement. Before taking any protein or iron supplements, you should talk to your doctor about the forms of protein you use and possible side effects for your baby.
Complications
Pre-eclampsia is a dangerous condition that develops in pregnant women when you have high blood pressure and excessive protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. A poor diet, damaged blood vessels and immune system disorders can lead to pre-eclampsia. According to Healthy Birth, a diet of insufficient protein can lead to the condition. Women with a history of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease and other conditions that interfere with nutritional absorption are at a higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia, which usually requires immediate delivery of the baby.
Balance
High protein energy drinks and powdered protein supplements cannot provide you with the full complement of nutrients to carry a healthy pregnancy to term, according to Healthy Birth. By relying on high protein drinks for your nutrition, you may be missing important nutrients you get from complex carbohydrates. The amount of calories in the drinks may not be sufficient for healthy fetal growth and could actually cause you to lose weight when you need it most. Dietary sources of protein including eggs, nuts, beans, vegetables and seeds provide a more balanced diet as well as the roughage you need to remain regular.
Types
If you plan on getting your daily protein requirement from a high protein drink or shake, you should look for one that contains essential amino acids that your body cannot produce. According to the University of Michigan, protein powders used to make drinks are more effective than protein bars to avoid unwanted ingredients like sugar and fat. Three basic sources of protein are used to make supplements -- whey, eggs and soy. Soy is the best choice for reducing high cholesterol and whey, which is derived from milk, may not be suitable if you are lactose intolerant. Your doctor can help you choose the best source.
Warning
High protein energy drinks may contain other ingredients that could be harmful to your baby, including caffeine. By drinking more than 200 mg of caffeine per day, you increase your risk of having a miscarriage, according to the Baby Center. Energy drinks can contain as much as 80 mg per 8 oz. Caffeine also can restrict the flow of blood to the placenta and high energy products may contain ingredients that interfere with your body's iron absorption.
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