What do we call the period during which fertilization and development of an embryo takes place?

The period during which fertilization and the development of an embryo occurs is termed gestation. This process starts after fertilization, when the fertilized egg (zygote) implants itself into the uterus and begins to develop into an embryo. Gestation encompasses all stages of embryonic development, including cell division, differentiation, and growth until birth.

This term is specifically used to refer to the duration from embryo formation until the point of delivery, indicating that gestation is a critical time for the developing organism to acquire the necessary structures and functions for survival outside the womb.

Fertilization refers specifically to the initial process of the sperm and egg merging, while implantation is the subsequent step in which this fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary and does not encompass the entirety of embryo development.