Middle and Later Pregnancy: Common Symptoms and What to Do
As your baby grows, your body changes. It’s normal to feel new things—some you may like, but others may feel odd or uncomfortable. Below are common changes and symptoms in the second half of pregnancy and simple tips to help you feel your best.
Growing Uterus and Belly
What You May Notice
- You may start to look more pregnant.
- Clothes may feel tight.
- Others may notice you are pregnant and ask questions.
What You Can Do
- Learn how your body is changing as your baby grows.
- Remind yourself that your body is amazing!
- Wear loose or maternity clothes.
- Choose flat or low shoes for comfort.
New Aches and Pains
What You May Notice
- Back pain, rib pain, groin pain, cramps, or pressure
- Sciatica is common. You may feel a pain that starts in the buttocks and runs down your leg.
What You Can Do
- Sleep with pillows for support. Try one under your belly, under your head, between your knees, and behind your back.
- Use a pregnancy support belt (belly band).
- Try stretching.
- Protect your back when you bend, sit, and lie down.
- Get a massage from a professional or a support person.
- Ask about physical therapy and acupuncture.
Headaches
What You May Notice
- Pain or tension in different areas of your head
- Headaches can be a sign of a pregnancy problem called preeclampsia.
What You Can Do
- Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily.
- Try a cup of coffee or caffeinated tea.
- Take Tylenol (650mg) to help with pain. If the headache does not go away after taking Tylenol and drinking water, contact your clinic.
- If you have headaches often, talk to your healthcare provider. There are safe medicines and treatments.
Braxton Hick’s Contractions
What You May Notice
- A tight or hard feeling in your belly
- Feels like “practice” contractions
- Not regular or very painful
What You Can Do
- Rest when you need to and see if the tightness goes away.
- Take a bath or shower.
- Drink water.
- Call your provider if contractions are painful, come every five minutes for an hour, or if you see blood or fluid.
Painful Wrists and Numb Fingers (Carpal Tunnel)
What You May Notice
- Your fingers may feel numb, tingle, or burn.
- Symptoms may feel worse in the morning.
What You Can Do
- Try wrist supports or wrist braces.
- Rest your hands.
- Use ice packs wrapped in a towel a few times a day.
- Stretch or shake your hands and wrists during the day.
Swelling
What You May Notice
- Your feet, ankles, and hands may get bigger or puffier.
- Shoes or rings may feel tight.
What You Can Do
- Wear comfortable, loose shoes.
- Raise your legs when sitting or lying down.
- Drink eight to 10 glasses of fluids a day.
- Try support stockings.
- Call your provider if one side of your body swells more than the other.
Vaginal Discharge
What You May Notice
- More white or yellow discharge
What You Can Do
- Wear cotton underwear.
- Wash with water only. It is not necessary to wash inside your vagina or douche. This can cause infections.
- Call your provider if discharge burns, itches, smells bad, or worries you.
Varicose Veins
What You May Notice
- The veins in your legs may look big or blue.
What You Can Do
- Raise your legs when resting.
- Avoid sitting or standing for too long.
- Try support stockings.
- Call if veins are painful, red, hot, or one leg swells more than the other.
Big Feelings
What You May Notice
- Mood swings, which are common
- Feeling excited, nervous, or both
What You Can Do
- Talk to your support person about your feelings.
- Try listening to meditations.
- Use a journal or voice notes to get your feelings out.
- Take a childbirth education class.
- Get a Birth Sister or doula.
- Talk to your provider about mental health support.
Nesting
What You May Notice
- Bursts of energy
- Strong urge to organize, cook, and clean to get ready for baby
What You Can Do
- Enjoy this energy!
- Pack your hospital bag.
- Have a nesting party with your support team.
- Prepare and freeze some meals for when you come home.
- Wash and fold baby clothes.
- Organize a nursing station.
Need support to get help with food or baby supplies?
Baby Movements
What You May Notice
- Kicks get stronger and more frequent
- You should feel movement each day.
What You Can Do
- Check your baby’s movements.
- Use an app to help.
- You know your baby best. If you are worried your baby isn’t moving as much as usual, call your healthcare provider right away.
Hard Time Sleeping (Insomnia)
What You May Notice
- It's harder to fall or stay asleep.
- More sweating or discomfort at night
What You Can Do
- Make sure your room is dark and quiet and that all electronics are off. No TV, phone, or screens for 30 minutes before you go to sleep.
- Limit caffeine.
- Use pillows for comfort.
- Drink more water earlier in the day.
- Sleep in the position that is most comfortable for you. Either side, even on your belly! Use a pillow under your left hip if you tend to wake up on your back.
Feeling Thirsty and Peeing More
What You May Notice
- You need to drink more water during pregnancy.
- You may pee often, especially at night.
What You Can Do
- Listen to your body and drink more water!
- Add lemon slices, fruit, or cucumber to water.
- Eat fruits and veggies with high water content.
- Limit caffeine.
Skin Changes
What You May Notice
- Dark line on your stomach, darker nipples, or brown spots on your face
- Stretch marks
What You Can Do
- Use sunscreen daily.
- Moisturize to ease dryness.
- Remember that stretch marks often fade after birth.
Stuffy Nose
What You May Notice
- Your nose may feel blocked, like a cold.
What You Can Do
- Use saline spray (like Ocean® drops).
- Try a dehumidifier, especially at night.
Bleeding Gums
What You May Notice
- Your gums may bleed more easily.
What You Can Do
- Use a soft toothbrush and floss daily.
- See a dentist at least once during pregnancy.
- If you have MassHealth or WellSense, dental care is covered. Find a dentist.
Heartburn and Nausea
What You May Notice
- Your growing baby and uterus press on your stomach.
- A burning feeling in your chest or throat (heartburn). This is because hormones relax the opening to your stomach during pregnancy, which can move stomach acid up.
- Nausea
What You Can Do
- Eat small meals every two to three hours (not a big meal).
- Sit up after eating. Wait two hours after eating before going to bed.
- Avoid spicy or greasy foods.
- Try Tums.
- Ask your provider about other medicines.
Round Ligament Pain
What You May Notice
- A sharp cramp or pull on the side of your belly, which happens when the ligaments stretch.
- More pain when walking, turning in bed, or after a cough or a sneeze
- Pain may be severe, but it’s not dangerous.
What You Can Do
- Massage the area with your hand.
- “Curl” your body around your baby to relax the ligament. Standing up straight while it hurts can make it worse.
- Change positions to see what is most comfortable for you.
- Use a heating pad or a hot pack
- Wear a pregnancy support belt.
Constipation
What You May Notice
- Poop may be hard and painful, because pregnancy hormones slow digestion and your growing baby pushes on your intestines.
- You may go less often.
What You Can Do
- Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily.
- Eat prunes (dried plums) or drink prune juice to help soften your poop.
- Try a magnesium supplement. Talk to your provider about this.
- Eat vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.
- Exercise! Moving your body can help you go!
Hemorrhoids
What You May Notice
- A swollen vein around the anus
- Bleeding when you poop
- Itching or pressure
What You Can Do
- Use witch hazel pads (Tucks®).
- Use Preparation H cream or ask for a prescription from your provider.
- Avoid constipation. Straining makes hemorrhoids worse.
Your Body
