Worried I've eaten too much sugar

[glowingtwig]

I'm prone to overthinking in pregnancy and in my first pregnancy was so careful to follow a healthy diet with loads of veg, protein etc. fast forward two years to current pregnancy and I've definitely eaten too many sugary treats... I think running round after a toddler I've wanted the energy. Every other night I've been at the chocolate. I still weigh less than I did with DD though

I'm 36 weeks now and suddenly I'm wracked with guilt that I've done the baby damage, that all the sugar will cause the baby to be obese in later life or develop autism. I feel like all the chocolate and biscuits will have undone all the other healthy eating I've done.

I never have sugary drinks or takeaways... just haven't been able to resist the sugary treats. Will the baby be ok do you think?

Unless you have diabetes/gestational diabetes your body will control your blood sugar levels via the release of insulin and I don’t believe it is likely to affect the baby. I had gestational diabetes and had to be careful about my sugar levels but was never told about any risk of autism. Why do you think sugar intake in pregnancy causes autism?

Thank you for replying @Fleur405 I googled it and that's what popped up on a few (mainly American) websites.

My BMI is fine, I've put on the normal amount of weight for this stage of pregnancy, no GD and baby a normal size apparently. I don't know, I just feel like I haven't given this baby such a good start because of all the treats and just haven't been able to help myself.

I've just started thinking about it and worrying. Baby is measuring bigger than DD but she was 13th centile and was only 6lb 7. This baby they are predicting 7lb 12 ish.

Have you tried Hypnobirthing? It can really help you unwind and relax.

Stressing will do more damage than sugar

Well the thing is, you cannot uneat the sweets. If it causes you a concern (I really don’t think it should) try and cut down on them now. I just googled sugar in pregnancy in autism and it comes up to a link to a study Re the effects of gestational diabetes which doesn’t show a causative link (and doesn’t apply to you anyway if you don’t have GD). I really do get that this stage of pregnancy can be very stressful but I think you should step away from google and maybe try hypnobirthing or meditation like pp suggested. Your baby is predicted to be a completely normal size and I’m sure they will be completely fine.

Every other night? I was eating chocolate all day, every day during my pregnancy and before😅
Don't worry, you can't cause damage to the baby, especially if you're eating healthy otherwise.
There is no way to cause autism by sugar (there are a lot of misunderstanding on how autism works).
The diabetes are different story, but if that little sugar during pregnancy could effect diabetes, we would all have it!

I’ve never heard of sugar causing autism. Unless you have gestational diabetes your body is going to regulate its own sugar levels I really wouldn’t worry. I’ve had horrific sickness in all 3 pregnancies and some days all I could manage was full sugar coke or sugary snacks. My diet in all 3 pregnancies has been truly awful and I am usually a very healthy eater. My 2 sons are slim, active, no health issues, I’m expecting dd in a month and my recent growth scan showed she’s measuring average weight.

I ate a lot of sweet food during pregnancy and lost weight!! Your baby will be fine.

If you Google enough EVERYTHING “causes” Autism.
You’ll be fine, as will your baby.

Hi im in the same situation and scared my child may develop autism please let me know how your pregnancy went and how your little one is plus im diabetic