The Stigma Of Home Pregnancy Tests

Despite its revolutionary breakthrough, the availability of at-home pregnancy tests were often frowned upon. Their release came just a few years after abortion became legalized in the United States. 

After all, why would a woman need to find out if she were pregnant in private? You know, instead of under the glaring lights of a licensed medical professional and staff? The implication was that women who wanted to test in private lead a questionable life of loose morals. 

And advertisers didn’t exactly shy away from hinting at why you might want to know you were preggo as soon as possible. Even popular magazines like Mademoiselle’s April 1978 issue suggested the earlier you find out you’re pregnant, the earlier you can start taking care of yourself or consider the possibility of an early abortion.