Ep. 327: Protein in Pregnancy: What you should eat, how much and why with Amanda Howell

Ep. 327: Protein in Pregnancy: What you should eat, how much and why with Amanda Howell

Author: HeHe Stewart March 12, 2025 Duration: 1:20:30
In this episode, Amanda joins HeHe to discuss the critical importance of protein intake for women, specifically regarding overall health, pregnancy, and fertility. Key topics include basic protein requirements, potential deficiencies, the role of protein during pregnancy trimesters, and protein's impact on fetal growth and postpartum recovery. Amanda emphasizes the need for intentional eating, recommending strategies for protein intake through diet and supplements while debunking popular myths about nutrition trends such as collagen and soy. This episode offers practical advice for women at various stages of their reproductive journey, highlighting the broad-reaching benefits of adequate protein consumption.   Guest Bio: Amanda Howell is a dedicated public health professional and current Master of Science in Nursing student specializing in women's health, with a focus on pre and postnatal nutrition and fitness. She is committed to providing evidence-based insights that empower women to make informed decisions. Amanda emphasizes the vital connection between proper nutrition during pregnancy and improved health outcomes, striving to support women through education, advocacy, and accessible resources.03:10 Introducing the Birth Lounge App 04:24 Today's Topic: Protein in Pregnancy 06:34 Special Guest: Amanda Howell 07:48 The Importance of Protein in Pregnancy 21:04 Understanding Protein Sources 27:27 Debunking Soy Myths 34:53 Navigating Shift Work and Sleep 42:21 Navigating the Wild West of Supplements 42:39 Choosing Safe and Reputable Protein Brands 42:50 Importance of Protein During Pregnancy 43:19 Third-Party Testing for Supplements 43:35 Avoiding Unsafe Ingredients in Supplements 44:02 Artificial Sweeteners and Personal Preferences 44:48 Recommended Protein Brands 48:02 Protein's Role in Conception and Pregnancy 51:00 Protein Deficiency and Fertility Issues 52:09 Protein's Impact on Hormones and Stress 55:56 Optimizing Protein Intake for Pregnancy 01:05:05 Postpartum Protein Needs and Recovery 01:07:16 Quick and Easy Protein Snacks for New Moms 01:11:23 The Importance of Protein for Overall Health 01:14:15 Stress and Its Impact on Pregnancy 01:16:48 Final Thoughts and Resources   SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with HeHe on YouTube   Connect with Amanda on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Watch the Avoid a C-Section webinar here!     RESOURCES MENTIONED: Connect with Amanda here!    Get HeHe’s favorite protein powder from Just Ingredients, here!     Optimum Nutrition Prepared Protein Shakes    Premier Protein Prepared Protein Shakes 

Hosted by birth and newborn expert HeHe Stewart, The Birth Lounge Podcast creates a thoughtful conversation around the many paths through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. This podcast moves beyond simplistic advice to explore the wide spectrum of normal experiences, offering evidence-based insights alongside real stories from parents. HeHe, who founded Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, guides these discussions with a blend of professional knowledge and deep empathy, aiming to demystify the process and empower your choices. Each episode serves as a gathering place-a safe space where clinical expertise meets lived experience, covering topics that span education, family dynamics, physical fitness, holistic health, and parenting young children. You’ll find a supportive resource here, one that acknowledges the variables and nuances of bringing a child into the world and navigating the postpartum chapter. Tune in for honest dialogues that honor different perspectives, providing companionship and reliable information for your own journey. The goal is to leave you feeling more prepared, less alone, and confident in your unique path through parenthood, all within the supportive community of this podcast.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 432

The Birth Lounge Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 146: What to know about Inductions with Becca Helie, CNM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:49
Inductions are one of the most common interventions when it comes to birthing a baby. Some people welcome inductions, and some want to avoid it at all cost! Today, I am joined by Certified Nurse Midwife, Becca Helie, to…
Ep. 145: Friday Free Talk: Must-Have Breastfeeding Tools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:31
Today I am sharing the 7 tools that will change your breastfeeding life! Feeding your baby can be tough--cracked nipples, mastitis, clogged ducts, over supply, undersupply! This list goes on and on! The tools I share in…
Ep 144: A Vote for Better Postpartum Care with Skyler Jacobs, CNM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:25
In today's episode, HeHe is joined by Certified Nurse Midwife, Skyler Jacobs, to discuss how the current US postpartum care schedule sorely fails birthing people in getting them appropriate support after having a baby! S…
Ep. 143: Friday Free Talk: The 'Magic Words' in Birth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:32
I recently attended a birth where the provider was forcibly suggesting that my client allow for an IV hep-lock to be placed. The issue arose when my client asked if there was any medical reason to have the IV placed at t…
Ep. 142: The Beginning of Homebirth with Katelyn Fusco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:55
Let’s rewind the clock—and I means AGES— I want to talk about how we used to birth—before we moved it to hospitals. Lets go all the way back to how physiological birth is expected to work. Today, Katelyn Fusco, Host of H…
Ep. 141: Friday Free Talk: The Bishop Score [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:12
Today is all about inductions and how to know if you are a 'good candidate' for one. HeHe is diving into a tool that the women's health field uses to rate a a pregnant person’s cervix in order to determine their readines…
Ep. 139: Friday Free Talk: When Nurses Perpetuate the Patriarchy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:43
Inside The Birth Lounge, HeHe does a weekly group prenatal visit with our members! We chat about all things pregnancy, planning for birth, and preparing for postpartum. This week's episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast is…
Ep. 138: The Truth about Exercise in Pregnancy with Kayla Mehr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:55
Today’s guest is a dear friend of mine and a fitness expert specializing in prenatal and postnatal corrective exercise! Kayla Mehr, Founder of Your Fit Mom, is joining HeHe in an episode that is getting down and dirty ab…
Ep 137: Friday Free Talk, When "Checking In" Hinders the Process [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:03
When people check in with us, it's generally done with good intention, but sometimes "checking in" can do more harm than good! There are multiple places in women's health and birth work where this rings true! When it com…