Karen Weingarten

Karen Weingarten, a Professor of English and cultural historian, delves into her book, Pregnancy Test. She highlights the revolutionary impact of the home pregnancy test in the 1970s, which shifted reproductive control from men to women. The discussion reveals how pregnancy tests have complicated the narrative of clear-cut answers, linking early detection to modern abortion debates. Weingarten also explores the commercialization of pregnancy and its cultural implications. With personal anecdotes and historical insights, she paints a nuanced picture of reproductive technology.

Karen Weingarten, a cultural historian of reproduction and professor at Queens College, dives into the historical and cultural significance of home pregnancy tests. She reveals how these tests shifted control over reproductive information from male doctors to women, fostering empowerment. Weingarten shares the story of Meg Crane, the inventor of the practical home test, and discusses the commercialization of pregnancy testing and its impact on societal norms. The conversation also touches on how early detection has redefined pregnancy and loss in today's context.