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.
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Frog-Based Pregnancy Testing
- In the mid-20th century, pregnancy tests involved injecting urine into South African frogs.
- The frog would lay eggs in response to the pregnancy hormone, providing an accurate test.
Early Pregnancy Diagnosis Methods
- Early physicians combined urine signs, symptoms, and astrological charts to diagnose pregnancy.
- They did not physically examine women but triangulated these signs to estimate pregnancy status.
Galenic Theory and Female Orgasm
- The Galenic model held that both men and women produced seed necessary for conception.
- Female orgasm was medically viewed as vital for conception, emphasizing female sexual pleasure.