You are 2 weeks and 2 days

Once your egg is fertilized, hormonal changes naturally stop your normal menstrual cycle.

264 days until your due date

Soon after fertilization, the developing embryo signals its presence to the pituitary gland and switches off your menstrual cycle. It does this by producing a new hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which overrides your monthly cycle and keeps progesterone levels high. Progesterone is essential for the embryo's survival in the uterus, and so for your baby's wellbeing and development.

From around weeks 4–5, the embryo will make all the hormones it needs to keep itself alive. It still depends on you for nourishment and shelter, but even this early, it behaves like an independent person as far as its hormones and genes are concerned.

Good to know

Healthy conception

When you're trying to conceive, you become much more aware of your health. Colds, flu, and other common infections are unlikely to affect your fertility or your baby, but some infections can have a more serious impact:

Shingles and chickenpox (caused by the same virus) are best avoided around conception if you haven't had chickenpox before.
Food poisoning, for example from listeria bacteria, can be harmful.
Toxoplasmosis can be caught from handling cat feces.

Ask a Doctor

My ovulation tests have all been negative. Does that mean I haven't ovulated?

Not necessarily. You can miss the LH surge by chance, especially if you don't test at the same time each day or you drink a lot of water.

Ovulation tests aren't perfect and can give false negatives. If you had other signs of ovulation, such as pain or changes in your mucus, you probably did ovulate. But if your tests have been negative for two or three months in a row, you may not be ovulating regularly, and it's worth getting medical advice.

As a matter of fact

Testosterone and female fertility

Too much testosterone can affect a woman's fertility.

The adrenal glands and ovaries release small amounts of testosterone. Low levels may help fertility, but too much can disrupt the menstrual cycle and lead to infertility.

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.