Gag reflex help

I feel like I have a really bad gag reflex without deep throating? Any tips to help?? Also do y'all girls sorta swallow like you normal to keep spit levels down while his dick is in your mouth?? I feel like I have to take it out to swallow then continue or does it work while its in your mouth? I haven't given my partner a proper bj yet but I have sucked it a little bit because he wanted to see how it felt.