Pregnancy Diabetes

Just wondering what causes pregnancy diabetes? and if your craving alot of sugary and sweet foods does that mean you have it or are on your way to getting it? And also if you do have it does that mean your baby has got it?

[Edna9]

Neither eating nor craving sweet foods causes gestational diabetes. Some women's bodies react to pregnancy hormones in a way that makes it difficult for them control their glucose levels.

Every pregnant woman is tested for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks.  

Gestational diabetes doesn't directly harm the fetus. Problems arise, however, when it is uncontrolled. To quote my previous OB: "Sugar grows babies." Meaning, if your sugars are uncontrolled, you have the potential for having a large baby (9 lbs and up). You may not be able to deliver such a large baby vaginally and a C-section may be necessary.

In most cases, gestational diabetes is easily controlled with diet and exercise. In some cases, though, insulin injections are necessary.

[jifnif]

I had gestational diabetes.  don't know how you get it but i was eating a lot of sweets and craving them terribly.  I controlled it w/ diet but if you don't they will put you on meds.  your baby will not have it but you must be very careful w/ your blood sugar levels, the baby cannot control the levels and if your #''s are high or low so are his.  Your baby's life is in your hands.  talk to your dr if you think that you might have a problem, but i believe they test everyone for that.  

[Edna9]

I forgot to add that at birth, the nurses will check the baby's blood sugar levels. If they are low, they will have the baby eat (either breast or bottle) to bring the sugars up.

I believe my baby was tested at three different time points after delivery.