Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time (multiple gestations).

The time interval of a gestation is called the gestation period. In human obstetrics, gestational age refers to the embryonic or fetal age plus two weeks. This is approximately the duration since the woman's last menstrual period (LMP) began.

Humans[link]

Human pregnancy can be divided into three trimesters, each three months long. The first trimester is from the last period to the 13th week, the second trimester is from the 14th to 27th week, and the third trimester is from the 28th week to 42 weeks.^[1]

In humans, birth normally occurs at a gestational age of about 40 weeks, though a normal range is from 37 to 42 weeks. (about 9 months)

Mammals[link]

In mammals, pregnancy begins when a fertilized zygote implants in the female's uterus and ends once the fetus leaves the uterus.

Below are average and approximate values ordered by gestation period (note for humans gestational age is counted from the LMP, for other animals the counting method varies, so these figures could be 14 days off):

Non-mammals[link]

A viviparous animal is an animal employing vivipary: the embryo develops inside the body of the mother, as opposed to outside in an egg (ovipary). The mother then gives live birth. The less developed form of vivipary is called ovoviviparity, which, for instance, occurs in most vipers. The more developed form of vivipary is called placental viviparity; mammals are the best example, but it has also evolved independently in other animals, such as in scorpions, some sharks, and in velvet worms. Viviparous offspring live independently and require an external food supply from birth. Certain lizards also employ this method such as the genera Tiliqua and Corucia. The placenta is attached directly to the mother in these lizards which is called viviparous matrotrophy.

Ovoviviparous animals develop within eggs that remain within the mother's body up until they hatch or are about to hatch. This strategy of birth is known as ovoviviparity. It is similar to vivipary in that the embryo develops within the mother's body. Unlike the embryos of viviparous species, ovoviviparous embryos are nourished by the egg yolk rather than by the mother's body. However, the mother's body does provide gas exchange. Ovoviviparity is employed by many aquatic life forms such as fish and some sharks, reptiles, and invertebrates. The young of ovoviviparous amphibians are sometimes born as larvae, and undergo metamorphosis outside the body of the mother.

The Syngnathidae family of fish has the unique characteristic whereby females lay their eggs in a brood pouch on the male's chest, and the male incubates the eggs. Fertilization may take place in the pouch or before implantation in the water. Included in Syngnathidae are seahorses, the pipefish, and the weedy and leafy sea dragons. Syngnathidae is the only family in the animal kingdom to which the term "male pregnancy" has been applied.^[2]

See also[link]

• Evolution of mammals (for the evolution of gestation-related features in humans and other mammals)
• Male Pregnancy
• Nesting instinct
• Pregnancy
• Prenatal development
• Prenatal nutrition and birth weight

References[link]

• Infoplease.com
• Gestation periods
• NSRL.ttu.edu

External links[link]

• Support Forum for Labour
• Table listing average animal gestation periods
• Pregnancy Due Date

Damu the Fudgemunk (born Earl Davis on June 8, 1984, in Washington, DC) is an American hip hop music artist and producer from Washington, DC. In addition to his career as a solo artist, music producer, and DJ, he is a member of the groups Y Society and Panacea.

Damu released his official debut album as a member of Y Society, Travel at Your Own Pace, on October 10, 2007, to positive reviews.^[1] The album is reminiscent of true-school hip-hop with its liberal use of jazz and soul samples and scratching throughout. In 2008, Damu released two free albums primarily composed of instrumental music, titled Spare Time and Overtime. He built himself a respectable and loyal fan base through his unique YouTube videos and live street performances around Washington, DC, and New York City,^[2] which require him to use a portable electricity generator to power his sampler and speakers.

Damu the Fudgemunk releases the bulk of his music through Redefinition Records, a label that he co-owns and operates. The label focuses on releasing vinyl records and cassettes even if the records are also released on CDs.

Discography[link]

• Travel at Your Own Pace (2007)
• Spare Time (2008)
• Overtime (2008)
• ReVISIONS Madvillian (Damu vs Joe Buck) (2009)
• The Bright Side (2009)
• Same Beat Project EP (2009)
• Kilawatt: V1 (2009)
• How It Should Sound (Promo EP) (2010)
• How It Should Sound Volumes 1 & 2 (2010)
• Supply for Demand (2010)
• Brooklyn Flower (2010)
• More Supplies (2010)
• When Winter Comes / Truly Get Yours (2011)
• OverThrone (Try a Little Skillfulness) / All Green (2011)
• Faster Rhyme for Self (2011)
• "Kilawatt V1.5 featuring Raw Poetic" (2012)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Y Society at MySpace.com
• Damu the Fudgemunk's Web Site and Blog
• Tres Records Web Site
• Redefinition Records Web Site/Damu the Fudgemunk's Bio and Discography

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