Published on November 07, 2025

Welcome to Your Pregnancy Journey with UNC Health Appalachian

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

woman with a pregnancy test

We’re so glad you’ve chosen UNC Health Appalachian to be part of this exciting and transformative chapter of your life. Our team is honored to support you every step of the way—from your first prenatal visit to welcoming your baby into the world.

To help you feel informed and confident, we’ve put together a quick guide on what to expect during your prenatal care, along with answers to some of the most common questions we receive from new parents.

Managing Nausea During Early Pregnancy

Morning sickness (or all-day sickness!) is common, especially in the first trimester. Here are some simple ways to ease nausea:
• Eat small, frequent meals every 2–3 hours—an empty stomach can make nausea worse.
• Sip fluids often throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Avoid lying down right after eating.
• Try ginger (tea, candy, or lozenges) or sour flavors to help calm your stomach.
• Over-the-counter options like Vitamin B6 (100 mg) and Unisom/doxylamine (25 mg) at night can be helpful.
If nausea persists or you can’t keep any food or liquid down for 24 hours, please contact our office right away.

Foods to Enjoy—and Foods to Avoid

A balanced, nutritious diet supports both you and your baby. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Avoid:

• Fish high in mercury: shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel
• Raw fish or sushi (risk of food-borne illness like Listeria)
• Unpasteurized milk or cheese
• Deli meats and hot dogs unless cooked until steaming hot
• Undercooked meat or eggs

Enjoy:

• Cooked fish like salmon, cod, and shrimp
• Tuna, limited amounts (about once a week)
• Pasteurized dairy products
• Fresh fruits and vegetables (washed thoroughly)
• Whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins

Choosing the Right Prenatal Vitamin

There’s no single “best” brand of prenatal vitamin—just be sure it contains:
• At least 400 mcg of folic acid
• Iron
If you prefer gummy vitamins (which often lack iron), make sure to include plenty of iron-rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and red meat. We may also recommend a separate iron supplement if needed.

Can I Have Caffeine?

Yes! Moderate caffeine intake—up to 300 mg per day—is considered safe during pregnancy. That’s about one to two small cups of coffee. However, it’s best to avoid energy drinks.

Your Upcoming Appointments

Here’s what you can expect at your next two prenatal visits:

Initial OB (IOB) Appointment

• Meet with your OB Navigator to review your medical history and provide prenatal education.
• Routine lab work will be drawn.
• You do NOT have to fast – we encourage you to eat before you come in. We will always notify you if you need to fast for any lab work.
• Your partner is welcome to attend (optional).
• You will not be meeting with a midwife or physician at this visit, but you will be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat at your prenatal physical visit (scheduled at 12-14 weeks of gestation)!
Prenatal Physical
• Includes a breast and pelvic exam
• Pap smear if indicated

Routine Lab Work

During your IOB visit, we'll perform standard blood and urine tests to ensure you and your baby are healthy.
Blood tests include:
• HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and Syphilis
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Rubella and Varicella immunity
• Blood type
• Other labs may be drawn depending on your medical conditions and history.

Optional:

• Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) - screens for chromosomal conditions such as:
o Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
o Trisomy 13
o Trisomy 18
o Certain sex chromosome disorders
Two urine samples will be collected at this visit:
"Dirty catch" - screens for gonorrhea/chlamydia
"Clean catch" - screens for urinary tract infection and urine chemistry.

When to Call Us

Our team is always here for you.

During business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.):
• Women’s Health: 828-268-8970 (press option 3)
• AppFamily Medicine: 828-386-2222 (press option 5)
After hours:
• Call 828-262-4100 and ask for the OB on call if your concern can’t wait until the next business day.

Non-urgent questions:

• Send us a message through MyChart. Please call the office for any urgent questions or symptoms.

We’re Here for You Every Step of the Way

Pregnancy is a journey filled with joy, change, and anticipation. Whether you’re navigating morning sickness, preparing for your first ultrasound, or counting down the days to meet your baby, the team at UNC Health Appalachian is here to guide and support you with compassion and expertise.