For a lot of women, learning you are pregnant is a very exciting time. Deciding who to tell and how to tell them adds to the fun as others share in your great news. However, for about 50% of women, the excitement can quickly turn to misery as morning sickness strikes. So, what can you do if you become one of these women?

When morning sickness first strikes, it is usually very subtle. You may notice an unsettled feeling in your stomach, an aversion to tastes or smells or maybe you just don't feel like eating much. Typically, you are able to function normally and get enough to eat and drink at this point, so it's not too much of a bother.

However, as the days or weeks go by, you may start to notice an increase in this feeling and may either start eating more to keep your stomach full, or less as your appetite decreases. The nausea may increase to the point where it bothers you throughout the day and smells and tastes may become outright detestable. Vomiting may become an issue now, and you may find yourself retching throughout the day without losing the contents of your stomach. This is the point where you need to make a conscious effort to eat and drink enough because food and water may be the last thing on your mind. Try to drink at least 8 - 10 glasses of water, spread out throughout the day in small amounts.

Other helpful tips for keeping your morning sickness under control include:

* Eat saltine crackers first thing in the morning before you get out of bed.
* Try to eat several small meals a day instead of 3 larger meals.
* Drink liquids before or after your eat instead of with your meal.
* Get plenty of rest at night and during the day if necessary.
* Try to get a small amount of exercise each day.
* Try sour tastes like lemon or lime to settle your stomach.

For some women, the morning sickness that was once just an annoyance can turn outright unbearable. You may find yourself not wanting to get out of bed and completely unable to eat or drink. If it becomes so bad that you are vomiting several times a day or you cannot keep any fluids down, you may have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. If you feel that this is the case, you will need to contact your doctor as soon as possible or visit an emergency room. They can give you fast acting medication to help quell the nausea and then they can rehydrate you via an intravenous solution.

Although pregnancy can bring several discomforts with it, morning sickness can be one of the most troublesome. Try to use these tips to find relief and if you find that it has become too unbearable, do not hesitate to seek medical advice. You need to do whatever it takes to keep you and your unborn baby healthy and hydrated.