Gestation (noun)

The period during which a developing animal embryo is carried in the uterus of its mother, typically about nine months for humans.

Origin:

Late middle english (in the sense "gesture, action"): from latin gestatio(n-), from gestare "to carry, bear".

Examples:

1. The gestation period for elephants is 22 months.
2. She's pregnant and in her third trimester of gestation.
3. The gestation period of the kangaroo is around 30 days.
4. He was fascinated by the fact that whales have the longest gestation period of any animal.
5. The gestation period for horses is 11 months.