Pronunciation: [pɹˈɛɡnənsi] (IPA) 
The word "pregnancy" is spelled with two syllables: PREG and NAN-see. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, as in "red", and the second syllable is pronounced with a soft "c" sound, as in "cent". The phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈprɛɡnənsi/. Proper spelling is important for clear communication, so it's always a good idea to double-check your spelling when writing important documents or messages.
Pregnancy is a natural biological process exclusive to female mammals, characterized by the fertilization and subsequent development of an embryo or fetus within the female's uterus. It is a critical period that marks the beginning of the formation of new life.
In humans, pregnancy typically begins with the union of a sperm cell and an egg cell during sexual intercourse. This results in fertilization, whereby the genetic material from both parents combines to form a single cell called a zygote. The zygote then undergoes a series of divisions, forming an embryo. The embryo implants itself into the lining of the uterus, where it receives nourishment and begins further development.
Throughout pregnancy, the fetal development progresses through different stages, usually organized into trimesters. The first trimester is marked by the rapid development of vital organs, while the second trimester involves substantial growth and the development of various body structures. The third trimester focuses on further growth and preparation for birth.
Pregnancy is often accompanied by various physical and hormonal changes in the mother's body. These changes can include missed periods, breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, and mood swings, among others. Regular prenatal care and medical supervision are crucial during pregnancy to monitor the health of both the mother and the developing fetus.
The average duration of human pregnancy is approximately 40 weeks, measured from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period. However, the exact length can vary due to individual factors and circumstances. Childbirth, commonly known as labor, usually occurs around this duration, resulting in the delivery of the baby and the end of pregnancy.
Gestation, fetation, gravidity; the state of a female after conception until the birth of the child. The duration of pregnancy in woman is about forty weeks, ten lunar months, or nine calender months.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
State of a female with child; fertility.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word pregnancy has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin word praegnantia, which derived from the Latin verb praegnans (or prae-agnans), meaning being with child or heavy with offspring. This term is a combination of the prefix prae- (meaning before or in front of) and the verb agnascor (meaning to conceive). Ultimately, pregnancy refers to the condition or state of being pregnant, wherein a woman carries or is with child.
