Before she even knew she was pregnant, Susan Younan Attiyah of Glendora, Calif., started throwing up. "It lasted all nine months and anything set it off – scents like soap, perfume, chicken – absolutely anything," she says. "I was still throwing up when I went into labor."

Like more than 70 percent of all pregnant women, Attiyah experienced morning sickness. Morning sickness, unlike its name suggests, can occur at any time of day or night and is caused by sudden increases or changes in hormone and fluid levels.

For most women, morning sickness ceases as pregnancy enters its fourth month. Some, like Attiyah, however, struggle with nausea and vomiting throughout a pregnancy's duration. This is a more severe condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which, if not treated, can cause weight loss, dehydration, liver damage and even death.

As countless women struggle to shake the queasiness that plagues their every move, obstetricians dispense prevention advice: Frequent snacking on bland foods such as whole grain crackers or broth, coupled with plenty of water to ward off dehydration. Avoiding sugary and fatty foods can help, too, because they are difficult to digest. Steer clear of caffeinated beverages that can further irritate nausea.

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