One Mother’s Journey Reveals How Common Protein Deficiency During Pregnancy Can Be

Like many mothers, Christina Moran was over the moon when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. Between exciting things following the good news like picking out names, making guesses as to who the baby would look like, and crafting a plan to turn the guest room into a nursery, Moran also made a commitment to follow the myriad of nutritional guidelines recommended for new mothers. Sure, it would be an adjustment to cut down on coffee, cancel the sushi dates, and be diligent about taking her daily folic acid supplement, but she was happy to do it for the sake of her and her baby’s health.

During Moran’s first doctor’s appointment, her doctor told her to increase her daily protein intake by 50-70% to support the baby’s development — a common piece of advice. This sounded easy enough at first. She could handle incorporating some additional meat and chicken into her diet, no problem. However, between morning sickness and a reduced appetite, it wasn’t long before Moran learned that her protein levels were far below where they should have been.

Looking for protein sources that might be gentler on her stomach, Moran started exploring shakes and supplements. What she didn’t expect to find was that many of these products lacked clinical validation for safety and efficacy during pregnancy. Unfortunately, this is common with the US supplements market, which isn’t bound to any one regulatory agency like the FDA.

Concerned about the potential risks, she turned to her in-laws, Mike and Nancy Moran. Both had decades of experience in the healthcare industry, and they were just as invested in the health of her baby as she was. Working together to come up with a solution, they developed their own supplement, Protiva, and in the process, uncovered a widespread but not often discussed issue among pregnant women: protein deficiency.

Protein Intake: An All-Too-Common Struggle

Protein is essential during pregnancy, playing a critical role in fetal growth, maternal tissue expansion, and increased blood volume. But factors like the ones Moran experienced — nausea, food aversions, and limited stomach capacity — can make it difficult for many mothers to meet the recommended intake through food alone.

Research indicates that even among well-educated and affluent populations, a significant number of pregnant women have protein levels below the recommended thresholds in their third trimester. This deficiency can have implications for both maternal health and fetal development, potentially leading to complications such as low birth weight and developmental delays.

A Family-Driven Solution

Mike Moran, an entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in the hospital and specialty pharmacy industry, and Nancy Moran, a registered nurse with extensive clinical experience, immediately recognized the gravity of Christina’s concerns when she came to them looking for nutritional advice. After scouring the market for a protein supplement they could all feel good about, they still came up empty handed. “To be honest, I was surprised that I hadn’t heard of protein deficiency being such a widespread issue before, and even more surprised that there wasn’t a viable, quality solution out there already,” Mike shares.

Frustrated and eager to help Christina and their future grandchild, Mike and Nancy decided to leverage their shared entrepreneurial and medical expertise to see if they could solve the problem themselves. Collaborating with a team of obstetricians and gynecologists, they worked to develop a protein supplement for pregnant mothers — one that was safe, effective, and most importantly, backed by clinical research.

Their focus quickly turned to collagen, a protein known for its role in skin elasticity and structural support in the body. Specifically, they ended up choosing porcine collagen due to its strong similarity to human collagen, which enhances absorption and efficacy. The Morans also ensured that their formulation excluded tryptophan, an amino acid commonly found in whey and plant-based proteins, which some studies suggest could be harmful during pregnancy.

Clinical Trials Show Low Protein Across the Board

Understanding the importance of scientific backing, the Morans initiated a multi-site clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of their supplement, later named Protiva. The results of the study showed protein deficiency to be even more prevalent than they thought, with 95% of participating pregnant women showing initial serum protein levels below the normal median range, despite adhering to what they believed were adequate diets.

After incorporating Protiva into their daily routines, 100% of participants showed improved protein levels. “We were so relieved to finally arrive at a formulation that could actually help mothers like Christina,” Nancy shares. “When you’re expecting a baby, there are so many other things to worry about, so knowing that we could alleviate even some of that stress for mothers out there was really gratifying.”

The study’s results were published in the Journal of Pregnancy and Child Health, providing peer-reviewed evidence of the supplement’s benefits.

Christina’s Journey and Beyond

For Christina, the introduction of Protiva into her diet made a tangible difference. She experienced improved energy levels and better overall well-being during her pregnancy. And though they hadn’t been top of mind during the height of her struggle, she was pleasantly surprised to see some of her stretch marks fade, likely as a result of improved skin elasticity.

“Using Protiva gave me peace of mind,” Christina shares. “Knowing Mike and Nancy had my best interests at heart from the beginning, I felt confident that I was supporting my baby’s development in a safe way that was backed by rigorous research. It made the challenges of pregnancy a bit easier to manage.”

Christina went on to have three healthy children — Chloe, Mackenzie, and Jack — all while incorporating Protiva into her prenatal and postnatal care.

“Looking back, I can’t imagine going through my pregnancies without addressing my protein needs,” she reflects. “And it's not just about me anymore; it’s about helping other women navigate this exciting, nerve-wracking, and transformational time in their lives.”

A Need for More Dialogue Around Prenatal Nutrition

The Morans’ journey underscores a broader issue in maternal health: the need for accessible, evidence-based nutritional support for pregnant women. By bringing this issue to light, the Morans hope to encourage more research and innovation in prenatal nutrition.

While Protiva has reached thousands of women across the country, the Morans emphasize that their mission extends beyond any single product. They advocate for greater awareness of protein deficiency during pregnancy and encourage expectant mothers to discuss their nutritional needs with their healthcare providers.

“Our goal was never just to create a supplement,” Mike explains. “It’s about addressing a real need and helping women have healthier pregnancies. If Christina’s experience can help others, then we’ve achieved something meaningful.”

Looking Forward

Christina continues to balance her role as a mother with efforts to educate others about the importance of protein intake and effective prenatal nutrition during pregnancy. She participates in community groups and online forums, sharing her experiences and offering support to other women facing similar challenges.

“I’ve connected with so many mothers who didn’t realize they might be protein-deficient,” she says. “It’s rewarding to see how sharing my story can make a difference in someone else’s journey, and I look forward to doing my part to keep the larger conversation around prenatal health and nutrition going.”

Christina’s journey from a concerned mother-to-be to an advocate for maternal health embodies the complexities and rewards of addressing nutritional needs during pregnancy. Her experience underscores the importance of awareness, research, and open dialogue between expectant mothers and healthcare providers. By shedding light on protein deficiency, she and her family contribute to a broader conversation about maternal well-being and the health of future generations.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.