ou'll start to actually “look” pregnant this trimester, and hopefully feel less of any nausea that you might have felt during the past few months.

WHAT YOU MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING THIS TRIMESTER:

Even though you may be feeling all kinds of physical changes, this is commonly known as the feel-good trimester: Energy is up, you’re glowing — enjoy it! Get organized, nest, decorate the nursery, take hikes, and see lots of movies.

• If you had morning sickness during the first trimester, it may ease up this trimester.

• You may have an increase in appetite and feel more energetic.

• Your breasts continue to get larger since the milk-producing glands are growing, although (thankfully) they may feel less tender than in the first trimester.

• As your abdomen and breasts continue to swell, your skin will stretch and tighten - it may start to itch.

• The linea nigra may form. (It’s that dark line that runs from the middle of your stomach down to the pubic bone.)

• If your areolas haven’t started to darken, you may notice it this trimester.

• You might have swelling in your hands, ankles, feet or face due to fluid retention. 
  Note: While swelling is common, excessive swelling (especially in the hands or face) mixed with high blood pressure could be a sign of preeclampsia. Contact your practitioner if you are concerned.

• With pregnancy hormones relaxing parts of your digestive system – and your growing uterus putting pressure on your stomach and intestines, you may start to feel (or continue to experience) indigestion, heartburn, bloating, gassiness and/or constipation.

• You may experience occasional nosebleeds, clogged ears, bleeding gums and nasal congestion due to an increase in blood flowing to your mucous membranes.

• Hemorrhoids and/or varicose veins could develop due to the increase in blood circulation, coupled with the growing weight of your midsection puts pressure on these areas of the body.

• Since your center of gravity is shifting, you may feel clumsier.

• You might experience the occasional mood swings.

• “Pregnancy brain” may kick in; you might start forgetting things and have a hard time concentrating.

• Your abdomen ligaments will stretch to support the uterus. (This may feel uncomfortable.)

• Leg cramps may kick in, especially at night (drink water and take calcium) due to your uterus causing pressure on the veins running blood to your legs

• Your libido may get stronger.

• Your belly will start to grow as your uterus expands (if you’ve been pregnant previously, you’ll probably show sooner than your first pregnancy)

• You may feel painless Braxton Hicks contractions as your uterus starts to flex and prepare for labor. Talk to your health practitioner if they are regular or painful; they could lead to preterm labor.

• You may experience shortness of breath (although processing more air, large quantities of the oxygen are being carried to your baby and the placenta).

• Vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) may get heavier; if it changes in color or smell, call your health practitioner.

• You may experience bladder (UTIs) or kidney infections. Both are common in pregnant women, but talk to your health care practitioner if you have a fever, feel a burning sensation when you urinate or need to urinate much more than usual.

Sometime this trimester, usually during the fourth month, you’ll start to feel your baby move - or flutter - often referred to as “quickening.” This will increase with each month, as the baby becomes more and more active. Many women feel even more attached to their baby after they feel movement!

Click here for What's Happening with You: Third Trimester

This article was compiled using information from the following websites:

Pregnancy Info
American Pregnancy Association
Kid's Health
Pregnancy Weekly