It's not unusual for your gums to become swollen and soft when you're pregnant. They may even bleed slightly after you brush your teeth. This is sometimes called "pink toothbrush". Using a softer toothbrush and being careful to brush gently may keep "pink toothbrush" to a minimum.

Now here's an exciting symptom! Somewhere between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, you may suddenly feel that first flutter of movement from your baby! This is sometimes called "quickening". Some women actually mistake the first movements for gas or "butterflies in their stomach", because the first flutters are pretty subtle. If you haven't felt any fetal movement by 20 weeks, please tell your provider. Don’t be surprised if you haven’t started feeling REGULAR movement until you're about 28 weeks along.

You may notice that your heart rate is faster and even feels like it's racing, even when you aren't doing anything. This is normal when you're pregnant because your heart has to beat faster to take care of you and your baby.

When you're pregnant, your body makes a hormone called relaxin, which makes your joints more pliable than normal. Because of this, you may feel clumsier than usual. Please be extra careful, and know that looser joints are just a part of how your body gets ready to deliver your baby!

You may feel sharp pains on either or both sides of your pubic bone and into your vagina when you're pregnant. This pain is caused by the fact that your ligaments are stretching as your baby grows. Just a small amount of movement can make the ligaments hurt. Hot compresses and changing positions slowly should help ease the discomfort.

Sometimes, late in your second trimester, you may find that you have a hard time "catching your breath", or that you get winded very easily. This is not unusual, and is a result of your muscles relaxing due to the hormones your body is making. Shortness of breath can also be caused by upward pressure from your baby and your uterus on your diaphragm, as they both get bigger. Sit down; take a few moments to rest, and this shortness of breath should pass.

Some pregnant women develop varicose veins, which is the pooling of blood in your veins, making them bulge. This is most likely to happen in your legs or around your rectum. It should help if you lie down twice a day with your feet and legs elevated higher than your head for 10 minutes. Wearing support hose during the day and avoiding standing or crossing of your legs for long periods should also help.