One of the most common tell-tale signs of pregnancy is morning sickness. It’s not pleasant and no one has ever said it was the best part of their pregnancy, but there are ways to subdue the symptom to make it through your days.

 Morning sickness (a deceptively named symptom of pregnancy which actually occurs throughout the day) is caused by the change of hormones in your body, according to WebMD. Another myth about morning sickness is that it happens to everyone but, contrary to popular belief, there are some mommies-to-be who won’t suffer this symptom. There’s no miracle cure for it, but there are some things that might help:

• Eating small meals and snacking throughout the day is said to relieve morning sickness. Keeping a good blood sugar level by sucking on a sweet should also help.
• Avoid coffee and alcohol (obviously) and opt for water, fruit juices or skimmed milk.
• Morning sickness is worse in the morning because you haven’t eaten in a few hours and your blood sugar level is low so try to eat soon after you wake up.
• Avoid fatty meats and fried foods and try to stick to bland, high-carb foods such as wholemeal toast, crackers, plain biscuits, rice and potatoes. Make sure to eat non-acidic fruits and vegetables too.
• Cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes can trigger nausea and vomiting. Avoid these for the sake of your morning sickness and your unborn baby.
• Reduce stress and avoid sickness-inducing activities such as boat rides or long drives.
• Don’t deprive yourself. Rather indulge in the things you’re craving – unless you’re craving foods that you shouldn’t be eating for the safety of your baby, like raw fish or cement (yes, this is a pretty common craving).
• Ginger is a renowned remedy for nausea whether you’re pregnant or not. Stock up on ginger tea, ginger beer or ginger nut biscuits to combat the nausea.

Unfortunately pregnancy is not the same for everyone, and what works for some may not work for others. If nothing makes you feel better, all you can do is look optimistically to passing the first trimester and getting over the morning sickness. It usually disappears at about 14-16 weeks; it’ll be over before you know it.