Pregnancy can be joyful and demanding in equal measure. Between appointments, advice, and changing routines, stress can creep in, especially if you’re navigating a diagnosis such as gestational diabetes. Stress awareness matters here: heightened stress can affect sleep, energy, food choices and, indirectly, how confidently you manage tests, dietary adjustments and medication. Alongside medical care, supportive therapies that reduce stress, such as pregnancy massage delivered by a qualified therapist, can help you feel calmer, more comfortable and more in control of day-to-day life.
If you’re exploring ways to manage stress during pregnancy, the NHS offers clear guidance on stress and anxiety in pregnancy (https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/stress-and-anxiety/) and Diabetes UK provides practical information on gestational diabetes (https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/gestational-diabetes). Within that wider picture, this blog highlights a client’s lived experience and explains how pregnancy massage can sit safely alongside your clinical care plan, even when gestational diabetes is a factor, when adapted appropriately by a trained therapist.
A client’s story (shared verbatim)
What really happens when you have gestational diabetes?
I was around 24 weeks pregnant when I was called to the hospital for a glucose intolerance test, to check if I had gestational diabetes. It was routine for this stage of my pregnancy, so I wasn’t too worried about it. The day I went into the testing room, it was filled with women of a similar gestation to me.
Throughout my pregnancy I’d been told by people that my bump was both big and small for the number of weeks, so it was interesting to see all the different shapes and sizes of the other ladies’ bumps!
I was asked to confirm that I had fasted from 10pm the night before, and they took a blood sample. I was given a drink which was described by the nurse as tasting like a ‘Capri-Sun’ – which wasn’t unpleasant, but I certainly wouldn’t drink it by choice. I then had to sit there for the next couple of hours. I’d taken some work to do, but ended up chatting to some of the other women. It was nice to compare notes on our pregnancies, and realise that everyone has similar symptoms and worries. I was given another blood test before I could leave, and told the hospital would only be in touch if the tests showed I had gestational diabetes.
When my phone rang the next morning, I immediately knew it was the hospital to confirm I had it. In the early stages of my pregnancy I had found myself unbelievably thirsty most days, which can be one of the symptoms. Straightaway I was worried because I didn’t know how this would affect the health of myself and my baby.
The nurse on the phone gave a brief explanation of how to help manage the condition with diet, and said that as I would be back at the hospital in a couple of days for a scan, I could pick up my blood sugar testing kit then, and have a proper conversation with a gestational diabetes nurse.
Unfortunately, when I went to the hospital, the department had a lot of staff off sick, so a nurse came and gave me a quick overview of what I needed to do with the kit, along with some paperwork about the condition. I felt completely overwhelmed by it all. The diet didn’t make sense to me. It would mean avoiding lots of different foods such as white pasta, white bread, cereal, chocolate, crisps, cake, sweets – yep, basically all the good stuff! Instead, I was told that I had to pair carbohydrates with protein, healthy fats and vegetables. Full disclosure – I still don’t really understand the diet! As I vegetarian, I struggle to get a lot of protein anyway, and I don’t like eggs!
So I was advised to eat a lot of cheese, peanut butter – even have cream in my coffee! I could still have pasta and bread if it was wholemeal. I could have fruit, but only certain types, and not too much, because fruit is sugary. And here’s the thing, a food that I may be able to tolerate one day, might send my blood sugar level soaring the next day! So it was a lot of trial and error and guesswork!
I had been instructed that I would have to record my blood sugar levels four times each day, by doing a finger-prick test. In my kit, I had a blood sugar monitor, finger-prick device, testing strips and lancets. I assumed it would be pretty easy to figure out; I was very wrong! Admittedly, this may have been because I felt completely stressed by the whole thing, and when I’m in that frame of mind, the simplest task becomes very daunting. At first, I couldn’t get any blood from the finger prick, and when I did, it wasn’t enough. I’ll admit, I had a little cry about it. Then I tried to pull myself together, and do what any desperate person does – I found a YouTube video tutorial! It was a pharmacist demonstrating the best way to use the kit, and it was actually hugely helpful. Turns
out, it’s a super easy thing to do, and once I’d mastered it, I could do it anywhere. I will say this though, it does smart a bit!
After reporting my blood sugar levels to the hospital via daily texts, they decided to put me on a medication called Metformin. I was a bit shocked by this, as I’d assumed I’d be able to manage it with diet alone. I was cautious about taking these types of pills at this stage of my pregnancy, but I was assured that it was safe and necessary by my consultant. After a week or so of managing my diet, finger-pricking and taking Metformin, the nurses informed me that I would also have to go on insulin. This was another blow. I had drastically changed my diet, and felt like I was doing everything I could, yet my morning blood sugar reading was always testing above the recommended number. I felt like a complete failure, that maybe I could have done something better. And again, I was concerned about putting more medication into my body and what this could do to the baby, but I was reassured by the nurses that it was okay. I also have
to admit that the thought of sticking another needle in my body didn’t fill me with joy! But I have to say, I got used to it, and actually the insulin injection hurt slightly less than the finger-pricks!
However, every injection caused bruising and it became difficult to find a place to do it that wasn’t black and blue! The nursing team continued to monitor my results, and because of my morning result always being high, the insulin dosage was increased every few days. One thing I had to be conscious of with taking insulin, was having a hypo, where your blood sugar levels go too low, and you can potentially pass out. This only happened to me once, and luckily I was at work and not driving. I didn’t even realise I was having a hypo, until I did a finger-prick and saw the reading.
I reported the result to the hospital via text, and within twenty minutes they called me to check I was okay. I had done what I’d been advised, and had a sugary snack – in this case, a small bag of sweets – and it had raised my blood sugar level. I always made sure to carry a sugary snack with me, just in case, as it was constantly on my mind. My biggest fear was passing out when I was driving with my son in the car. Thankfully that was the only hypo, and I think it was because I hadn’t eaten enough that day. On the flip side, when I had a really high blood sugar reading, the nurse asked me if I’d been on a binge! I told her truthfully, that I’d had two bowls of cereal with dried strawberries! I wrongly thought that would be a healthier option, but it was in fact a sugary
choice!
Having gestational diabetes meant that there was a risk of the baby growing larger than they should, and this could particularly cause problems during a natural birth. My baby was showing to be bigger than average being on the 99th centile, driven by her having a big tummy. There was also the possibility of jaundice, and that both myself and my baby would be more at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This was all quite upsetting and daunting, and at times very scary, and I felt really guilty. Being heavier and over 40 could have certainly contributed to it. It was a difficult period of the pregnancy, and even though it meant more scans and check-ups, I still worried constantly. I even had to go to hospital on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day because of my concerns about her movements.
I’d discussed with my consultants that, due to her size, I would have to deliver one or two weeks early, and I’d already decided to have an elective section because of issues with my previous pregnancy. At a routine scan around three weeks before my baby’s due date, they found additional fluid around the placenta that they had concerns about, and told me I’d have to have my baby the next day. My jaw hit the floor. We hadn’t bought everything we needed, the nursery wasn’t completed, my baby shower was planned for that weekend, and I hadn’t even finished work! But most importantly, what if my baby wasn’t ready to be born yet? I had to ask the consultant to give my husband and I some space to process everything she said and make a decision. Ultimately, nothing mattered other than the health of my baby girl and if the experts were
telling me it was to deliver her the next day, then that’s what we’d do. In the waiting room, we bumped into some friends who were having their first baby scan. When they asked me if I was ok, I just broke down.
We left the hospital at around 4pm and went to a big nearby supermarket to buy anything we still needed, such as clothes, muslins, baby food, a thermometer, blankets, PJs for me – all sorts of stuff! The next job, was to get home, make sure any baby clothes needed for the hospital were washed, pack the baby bag, and ensure the house was as baby-ready as it could be. I got up at 5am the next day, ready for a 7.30am delivery. My gorgeous baby girl was born a healthy 7lbs 10oz and was absolutely perfect.
We did have to return to hospital with our little girl as she had jaundice, however, she was treated with light therapy and we were able to take her home a couple of days later.
I had to be tested after 12 weeks to see if I had Type 2 diabetes, but thankfully I didn’t. I will have to be tested every year now that the risk has been greatly increased.
I can’t sugarcoat it, having gestational diabetes was really difficult. There’s lots of things you can’t do when you’re pregnant anyway, and this added layer of not being able to eat so many things I craved, made me miserable at times. Eating-out was sometimes impossible. The additional worry about hypos and my baby’s health, and what might happen would also keep me awake at night.
Then there were the endless finger-pricks and injections – I felt like a human pin cushion! On the positive side, I did receive additional scans and care, I lost around two stone which made me feel altogether healthier and I learned more about food and diet. And, of course, it was all worth it and I would go through it again for my beautiful baby girl.
Please note, this is my personal experience and recollection. For any advice about gestational diabetes please consult with a professional.
Is pregnancy massage safe if you have gestational diabetes?
Yes, when carried out by a suitably qualified therapist and adapted to your needs, pregnancy massage is considered safe and can meaningfully support stress reduction, ease muscular discomfort, and improve sleep quality. At Essential Thyme, sessions are always tailored: we’ll review your consultation form, check any current advice from your midwife/diabetes team, and adapt positioning, pressure, and timing to ensure comfort and safety. For example, if you’re monitoring for hypos, we can schedule around meals/tests, keep you comfortably side-lying, and avoid prolonged positions that feel cramped or stressful.
Crucially, pregnancy massage does not replace clinical care; it complements it. Always follow your diabetes team’s guidance on medication, testing and diet, and tell your therapist about any changes to your health or treatment so your therapy plan remains appropriate.
Practical stress-aware tips during pregnancy
- Build calm into your routine. Short relaxation practices—breathing, guided imagery, gentle stretching—can lower the “background noise” of stress and help you feel more resourceful day to day.
- Plan for appointments. If testing and reviews feel overwhelming, bring notes or a companion, and schedule a simple reward afterwards (a walk, a warm bath, a favourite podcast).
- Use supportive touch. Professional pregnancy massage can reduce anxiety and muscular tension. If appropriate, we can also show partners simple comfort holds to use at home between sessions.
- Keep communication open. If something changes,medication, symptoms, how you’re sleeping, update your therapist so your session can be adjusted.
Learn more or book
If you’d like a calm, supportive space to unwind and feel more comfortable during pregnancy, you can explore our therapies here: https://essential-thyme.co.uk/massage-therapies/ . For clear medical guidance on stress in pregnancy, see the NHS (https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/stress-and-anxiety/) and for condition-specific information see Diabetes UK (https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/gestational-diabetes) .