When it comes to morning sickness during pregnancy, there are three types of women: those who never feel it at all, those who get moderately sick but are able to function and those whose early pregnancy is a hellish cycle of trying to eat and throwing up. If you’re pregnant, you already know which category you fall into. And, unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing which category you’ll fall into during an individual pregnancy until you’re already there. That said, there are several great ways you can help yourself avoid morning sickness, or get through it if you’re already there.

Even if you don’t think you can eat, there are two things that are vitally important: taking your prenatal vitamin and staying hydrated. Dehydration is one of the leading reasons that pregnant women with severe morning sickness are hospitalized (I was hospitalized for that myself during my last pregnancy). Often, keeping fluids down is easier than the idea of eating. If your morning sickness is making it hard to keep food down, ask your doctor about nutritional drinks. They can have as many calories as a meal and are nutritionally balanced to help you stay healthy. Regardless of what you’re able to eat, it’s a good idea to keep a journal of when during the day you felt sick, what you’ve eaten and how much. That way you can always tell your doctor if he/she asks, and you can easily recognize any patterns that can help you out. Many women find that during some hours of the day, they hardly feel sick at all!

Keep these simple tips in mind to help manage your morning sickness, and remember – keep an open line of communication with your doctor. If your morning sickness is disrupting your life and is out of control, your doctor can help. By being proactive and staying in contact with your doctor, you can make sure that both you and your baby stay healthy.