The LRB Podcast
Conceiving Pregnancy
Apr 16, 2025
In this discussion, Erin Maglaque, a history teacher and author working on a history of the female body, dives into the intriguing evolution of pregnancy testing. From women consulting astrologers in the 16th century to the bizarre practice of using frogs in the mid-20th century, she highlights how societal attitudes have shifted. Explorations into early understandings of conception reveal the complexities of women's autonomy and historical misconceptions, along with modern implications of fertility tracking in today’s digital age.
40:38
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Quick takeaways
- The evolution of pregnancy testing from historical methods involving frogs to modern home tests illustrates significant advancements in medical science.
- Cultural narratives and historical accounts reveal enduring themes around pregnancy and societal pressures, highlighting the complexities of women's reproductive experiences.
Deep dives
Historical Methods of Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing has evolved significantly over centuries, starting from invasive methods involving amphibians to the straightforward home pregnancy tests available today. In the mid-20th century, testing often required a urine sample from a woman to be injected into a South African frog, which would then indicate pregnancy by producing eggs. This unusual method, developed by zoologist Lancelot Hogben, lasted until the 1960s, highlighting how far medical science has come in understanding pregnancy. While contemporary tests are simpler and more efficient, they still measure the same hormone that the frogs responded to, underlining a continuity in the biological science throughout history.
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