The second three months of pregnancy, called the second trimester, often involves these physical changes:

Larger belly and breasts. As your uterus gets bigger to make room for the baby, your belly grows. Your breasts also keep getting bigger. Wear a bra with wide straps or a sports bra that supports the breasts well.
Lower back pain. Hormonal changes and a growing uterus can cause your back to ache. Wear low-heeled shoes with good support. Don't wear high heels or flats. If you must stand for a time, rest one foot on a stool. This can ease the strain on your back.
Braxton Hicks contractions. You might feel these mild contractions as a slight tightness in your belly that comes and goes. These contractions are more likely to happen in the afternoon or evening, after physical activity, or after sex. It can help to drink plenty of fluids and urinate often to empty your bladder.

Contact your healthcare team if the contractions become regular and keep getting stronger. This could be a sign of preterm labor.

Skin changes. Hormone changes during pregnancy cause you to have more cells with pigment, called melanin, in your skin. So you might see brown, tan or gray patches on your face. This is called melasma. You also might see a dark line down your belly called linea nigra.

These skin changes are common. They often fade after the baby is born. But being in the sun can make these changes worse. When you're outdoors, use sunscreen.

You also might see reddish-brown, black, silver or purple lines along your belly, breasts, buttocks or thighs. These are called stretch marks. You can't prevent them. But they mostly fade after the baby is born.

Another skin change may be tiny veins that show up under the skin of your face and legs. These are called spider veins. They often fade after the baby is born.

Changes in the nose. During pregnancy, your rising hormone levels cause your body to make more blood. This can make the inside of your nose swell and bleed easily. So your nose might be stuffy. And you might have nosebleeds.

Saline drops or a saline rinse can help with this. Also, moisture helps. Drink fluids, use a machine that puts moisture in the air, called a humidifier, and put petroleum jelly around the edges of your nostrils to help skin stay moist.

Dental issues. During pregnancy, flossing and brushing can make your gums bleed. Rinse with salt water and use a softer toothbrush. The acid from vomiting can affect your tooth enamel and make you more likely to get cavities. Keep brushing your teeth and flossing regularly during pregnancy.
Dizziness. Pregnancy causes changes in blood flow that might leave you dizzy. To keep from getting dizzy, drink plenty of fluids, don't stand for long periods, and move slowly when you stand up or change position. When you feel dizzy, lie down on your side. It might help to wear support hose.
Leg cramps. Leg cramps are common as pregnancy goes on. They often happen at night. To prevent them, stretch your calf muscles before bed, stay physically active and drink fluids. Choose low-heeled shoes that give you comfort and support.

If your leg cramps, stretch the calf muscle on the side of the cramp. A hot shower, warm bath or ice massage also might help.

Vaginal discharge. You might notice a sticky, clear or white fluid coming from your vagina. This is typical. Contact your healthcare professional if the discharge has a strong smell or an odd color or if you also have pain, soreness or an itch in your vaginal area. This could mean a vaginal infection.
Urinary tract infections. These infections are common during pregnancy. Contact your healthcare professional if you have a strong urge to urinate that can't wait, sharp pain when you urinate, urine that's cloudy or has a strong smell, or a fever or backache. Without treatment, urinary tract infections can cause a kidney infection.