Forget morning sickness, swollen ankles and back ache, there’s more to pregnancy than aches, pains and feeling under the weather. In fact, being pregnant can bring with it a whole range of positive aspects and you may gain much more than you think!

Although you may feel less interested in sex during the first trimester, by the second trimester things are setting down. You’ll be more used to your changing body, any morning sickness should have disappeared and you may find your sex drive soaring. This is because the second trimester brings with it an increased flow of blood to the pelvic area. In turn, this helps improve sensitivity during sex and increases the chance of orgasm. Some women even experience multiple orgasms or orgasms for the first time.

During pregnancy, your body releases oestrogen and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and these can have positive benefits on your hair and skin. “Your hair growth speeds up during pregnancy, so your hair is likely to become thicker and glossier,” says Professor Stuart Campbell, author of Your Pregnancy: Day-by-Day. “Your nails are also likely to be affected and you may find they grow longer and stronger than ever before.”

Pregnancy also has a positive effect on your skin. “Increased hormone levels can leave your skin looking and feeling softer, and are partly responsible for the pregnancy ‘bloom’ that many women experience during the second trimester,” says Professor Campbell.

The first trimester and all the changes it brings to your body can be exhausting, especially if you experience morning sickness. But by the time the second trimester commences, it will all be calming down. “By the 15th week of pregnancy, you should be over any early pregnancy symptoms, so you are likely to be feeling a lot better and more energetic than before,” says Professor Campbell.

During your pregnancy and up to a year after your baby is born, you’re entitled to have free prescriptions. “To entitle you to free prescriptions, you must complete an FW8 application form and get a Maternity Exemption Certificate. The form is available from doctors, midwives and health visitors,” explain the Department of Health. “You can apply once your pregnancy has been certified by a doctor or midwife, or any time during the 12 months following the birth of your baby.”

As a bonus, you can also claim refunds for any prescriptions you’ve had to pay for before you receive your exemption certificate.

Pregnant women are entitled to free dental care. In most cases, your midwife will suggest you see a dentist for a check-up, as pregnancy can sometimes affect your teeth and gums and make you more susceptible to plaque and bacteria. You’re also entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you’ve had a baby up to 12 months before needing treatment.

If you’re pregnant or have at least one child under five years old, and your family gets Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance or Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and you don’t live in Devon and Cornwall, then you may qualify for free milk.

You’ll receive tokens for four litres (seven pints) of cow’s milk a week if you’re pregnant, and for each child over one and under five years old. You’ll also receive tokens for 900g of infant formula a week for each child under one year old. Complete an application form as soon as you’re 10 weeks pregnant, have it signed by your midwife or another health professional, and send it to the Token Distribution Unit to apply.

During pregnancy your senses are heightened, and this includes your sense of smell. Although smelling some foods during early pregnancy may have brought on a wave of nausea, as pregnancy progresses you’ll be able to enjoy these extra benefits without wanting to retch. Some experts believe this better sense of smell may be due to the extra levels of the hormone oestrogen that are in your body.

In hand with your sense of smell functioning better than ever, your taste buds are heightened too. Once any morning sickness has eased, you’ll find that food tastes better. So savour every mouthful and enjoy this while it lasts!

During pregnancy, it’s common for your breasts to grow and go up a cup size or two. Many women love this added aspect, and thrive on having some new cleavage to show off. “If you love your new shape, you may feel very sensual and sexy,” said a spokesperson for the National Childbirth Trust. Some women even find their bust stays this size after giving birth.