Science glossary film: Pregnancy

The carrying of one or more developing foetuses in the womb of a female, from conception to birth. In humans this period, also called the gestation period, is about 37 to 42 weeks. The longest mammalian pregnancy is in elephants, lasting 22 months. In the rest of the animal kingdom the distinction goes to the Alpine salamander, which gestates its young for up to three years.

In humans this period, also called the gestation period, is about 37 to 42 weeks. The longest mammalian pregnancy is in elephants, lasting 22 months. In the rest of the animal kingdom the distinction goes to the Alpine salamander, which gestates its young for up to three years.