When you first see that positive pregnancy test, you may feel a huge variety of emotions: excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and/or happiness beyond belief. After the news starts to sink in a little, you're likely going to start feeling something a little different in the pit of your stomach: nausea! Morning sickness can feel like it will never go away, and it might be causing all you are consuming to come right back up again.

What causes morning sickness?

The experts aren't exactly sure what causes morning sickness. If we don’t know what causes it, can we find a way to treat it? Well, kinda, sometimes...it really all depends on the woman, the pregnancy, and more. If you are suffering from morning sickness, you probably are willing to give just about anything a try!

Things to consider when treating morning sickness

Before we get to the “morning sickness cures,” it's important to keep in mind a few things about morning sickness:

• What works for one mom or pregnancy may not work for you. Don't give up, keep trying - you never know when you will find that relief!  
• Try to remember this is just for a season, and we emphasize the word TRY! When you are sick all the time, it's not easy to remember it won't last. In fact it probably feels like it could go on for an eternity, but take a deep breath and hold on for a few more months - you can make it!
• Give yourself a break - this pregnancy stuff isn't easy. Let go of those things you can let go of, and don't beat yourself up for doing it.

How to treat and help prevent morning sickness

Now that you have those things in mind, here’s the list of things that may help you beat that constant nausea!

• Keep it simple and small - Instead of three 'normal' sized meals during the day, switch to small meals every few hours. Meals should be more like large snacks. Your tummy won't be as 'unsteady' if you keep something in it all the time.
• Before getting out of bed, feed yourself - Make sure to place some crackers or a snack by your bed, so you can eat them before you get up. If your significant other is willing, have them make you breakfast and bring it to you. Do what you need to do in order to get something in your stomach before you even get out of bed.  
• Eat high protein/low carbs - Try to stay away from sugar and eat protein-packed foods like eggs (hard boiled, scrambled, fried), cheese, cooked meats, yogurt, cottage cheese, and nuts instead. Foods high in protein will stick with you longer and seem to not to be so upsetting to a sensitive tummy.
• Keep your liquid intake high, but not while you eat - Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Dehydration will only complicate things and make them worse. One exception: skip the liquids during meals. Too much water or other liquid can result in an 'over full' feeling and leave you worse off in the nausea department. 
• Seek out ginger - Anything with ginger root in it is great - ginger tea, ginger ale (with real ginger in it), or take some fresh ginger and grate it up to put in drinks or your food. A little goes a long way and it really can help settle things down for your tummy.
• Suck on a peppermint - Do you have some leftover candy canes? Give those a try. Peppermint tea is good too, and you can serve that hot or cold!
• Take Vitamin B6 - Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, but vitamin B6 has been known to ease things a bit.  
• Slice up some fruit - The smell of the lemon can help to ease the nausea and sliced apples can give your stomach some peace, at least temporarily.
• Check your prenatal vitamins - If they have iron in them, they might just be making things worse. Talk to your doctor about different options. 
• Tug on motion sickness bracelets - Some people swear by them, some say they are useless - but if all else fails, they're worth a try! 
• Dial down stress - Stress is bad, we all know that, but when you are growing another human, it can really take a toll. Evaluate any commitments you have for areas where you can ease up on. Take a break on friends who stress you out. Make sure you have plenty of opportunity to sleep - nothing is more stressful than a lack of sleep! 
• Change your toothpaste flavor - Many expectant mothers are triggered by certain flavors of toothpaste. If that seems to be the case, switch it up. Make sure to purchase a small tube of the new flavor, just in case the new flavor makes it worse.   
• Try a “slushie” - While they are not the most nutritious option, they are not as hard on you coming back up. Cold, liquid-y slushies can make it a bit easier when nothing seems to stay down.