Prosciutto is generally named on lists of foods that pregnant women should avoid. This meat, often served cold, poses a slight but serious risk to the woman and her unborn baby because it can cause a food-borne illness called listeria. According to "The Pregnancy Cookbook,"

A pregnant woman must be critical of everything she consumes during pregnancy, because her unborn baby can absorb harmful substances through her body. It can be difficult to determine the safety of many items, especially natural substances that may not have been the focus of any studies or evaluations.

Early pregnancy is a time of major change for a woman’s body. Particularly if the pregnancy is her first, her body organs shift considerably to make room for a uterus that begins to expand surprisingly soon after conception.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the cells forming the inner lining of uterus are deposited in other areas, such as the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the pelvis or the back of the uterus. This displacement can cause anatomical distortions and severe pain.

Implantation bleeding is one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. Approximately six to 12 days after conception, an embryo implants itself into the female’s uterine wall, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

Many women are surprised to learn that even very early in pregnancy, it’s possible to feel -- and look -- several months pregnant. This is due to abdominal bloating, which begins as early as the first few days after conception and can last well into the first trimester.

Teenage pregnancy is defined as an unintended pregnancy during adolescence. Approximately 750,000 of 15- to 19-year-olds become pregnant each year, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, though many teenagers do not believe that they will get pregnant if they engage in sexual activity.

Approximately 1 million teenage women become pregnant each year, according to the American Medical Network. Any time a teenage girl engages in unprotected sexual activities, she is at risk for becoming pregnant. Pregnant teens usually experience the same signs as adult pregnant women.

Whether a couple is trying to conceive or hoping to avoid pregnancy, the two-week wait between ovulation and a positive or negative pregnancy test can be emotionally stressful.