The term "othermother" or "other mother" is also used in some contexts for women who provide care for a child not biologically their own in addition to the child's primary mother.
Adoption, in various forms, has been practiced throughout history, even predating human civilization.
Typically a fetus develops from the viable zygote, resulting in an embryo.
Gestation occurs in the woman's uterus until the fetus (assuming it is carried to term) is sufficiently developed to be born.
In humans, gestation is often around 9 months in duration, after which the woman experiences labor and gives birth.
This is not always the case, however, as some babies are born prematurely, late, or in the case of stillbirth, do not survive gestation.
Mother can often apply to a woman other than the biological parent, especially if she fulfills the main social role in raising the child.
This is commonly either an adoptive mother or a stepmother (the biologically unrelated partner of a child's father).
The above concepts defining the role of mother are neither exhaustive nor universal, as any definition of 'mother' may differ based on how social, cultural, and religious roles are defined.
The parallel conditions and terms for males: those who are (typically biologically) fathers do not, by definition, take up the role of fatherhood.
Irish máthair, Tocharian A mācar, B mācer, Lithuanian mótė).
Biological motherhood for humans, as in other mammals, occurs when a pregnant female gestates a fertilized ovum (the "egg").
Women who meet the third and first categories usually fall under the terms 'birth mother' or 'biological mother', regardless of whether the individual in question goes on to parent their child.