When Were Pregnancy Tests Invented?

Pregnancy tests are now a common, affordable tool found in households around the world. With just a few drops of urine and a few minutes of patience, people can receive one of the most life-changing pieces of information: whether or not they’re expecting. But this wasn’t always the case. Before modern technology made testing accessible and accurate, people relied on far more primitive—and often inaccurate—methods to detect pregnancy.

Understanding the history of pregnancy tests is not only fascinating but also helps us appreciate how far science has come in reproductive health. From ancient rituals to high-tech digital displays, let’s explore when pregnancy tests were invented, how they evolved, and why choosing the right test still matters today.

Early Methods of Detecting Pregnancy

Ancient and Traditional Techniques

Long before laboratories or over-the-counter test kits, people developed traditional ways to guess pregnancy—many of which were based more on folklore than science.

In ancient Egypt, women would urinate on bags of barley and wheat seeds; if the grains sprouted, it was believed to indicate pregnancy. Other methods included observing urine color and consistency or using herbal concoctions to provoke physical reactions assumed to indicate conception.

Limitations of These Early Approaches

These early methods lacked any scientific foundation. Without knowledge of hormones or human biology, they produced inconsistent results and offered little reliability. Nevertheless, they reflect the deep desire throughout history to understand and confirm pregnancy as early as possible.

 

The First Scientific Pregnancy Tests

The Birth of Bioassays in the Early 20th Century

The first truly scientific approach to pregnancy testing emerged in the 1920s, marking a turning point in reproductive healthcare. Researchers had begun to identify hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)—a hormone only present during pregnancy—as a reliable biological marker. This discovery was a breakthrough, allowing scientists to create tests based on actual hormone levels instead of relying on guesswork or anecdotal symptoms.

These early tests were known as bioassays, which involved injecting a woman’s urine into a live animal to observe whether changes occurred in the animal’s reproductive system. This process often required several days and the euthanasia of the test animal, but it represented a leap forward in accuracy and scientific rigor.

The “Rabbit Test” and Other Animal Models

The most well-known bioassay was the infamous "rabbit test", developed by Maurice Friedman and Maxwell Lapham in 1931. In this test, a female rabbit was injected with a urine sample; if the woman was pregnant, the hCG in her urine would cause the rabbit’s ovaries to change in a specific, identifiable way. However, the rabbit would have to be euthanized to examine the ovaries, regardless of the test result—a fact that led to the widespread misconception that “if the rabbit dies, you’re pregnant.”

Other tests involved frogs and mice. For instance, the Hogben test, created in the 1930s, used a species of South African frog (Xenopus laevis). When injected with urine from a pregnant woman, the frog would lay eggs within 24 hours. This was one of the first live-animal tests that didn’t require killing the animal, making it a preferred choice for many laboratories.

Drawbacks of Early Scientific Tests

Despite being a significant improvement over folk remedies, these tests had major limitations:

• Costly and time-consuming
  
• Dependent on live animals and laboratory environments
  
• Not widely accessible to the public
  

Yet, these methods laid the scientific groundwork that would lead to far more practical and humane pregnancy testing methods in the years to come.

 

Development of Immunoassay-Based Tests

The Hormonal Breakthrough

In the 1960s, technology took a leap forward. Scientists developed immunoassay tests, which used antibodies to detect hCG directly in urine samples—no animals required.

How Immunoassays Work

These tests work by mixing a urine sample with a reagent that binds specifically to the hCG hormone. A visible reaction (such as a line or color change) confirms its presence. This allowed testing to become more accurate, efficient, and scalable.

Benefits Over Earlier Methods

Compared to bioassays, immunoassays were:

• Faster (results in minutes instead of days)
  
• Non-invasive
  
• More cost-effective
  
• Portable and suitable for at-home testing
  

These advantages paved the way for the creation of consumer-friendly home pregnancy tests.

Introduction of Home Pregnancy Tests

The 1970s: A Revolutionary Shift in Reproductive Health

The introduction of home pregnancy tests in the late 1970s marked one of the most empowering developments in women’s healthcare. Before this innovation, a woman had to visit a doctor or clinic, provide a urine sample, and often wait days for the results. The ability to privately and quickly determine pregnancy status at home was revolutionary.

In 1977, the first over-the-counter (OTC) home pregnancy test became available in the United States. Marketed as “e.p.t.” (Early Pregnancy Test), it came with a test tube, droppers, and a color chart—far more complex than today’s tests, but it allowed women to detect pregnancy in the privacy of their homes for the first time.

Public Reception and Cultural Impact

While the test was scientifically sound, the initial reception was mixed. Some consumers felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the kit, and others were skeptical of its accuracy. Nevertheless, it was a milestone that shifted the pregnancy testing experience from a medical procedure to a personal health tool.

More importantly, it gave women greater autonomy over their reproductive health and decision-making. Home tests offered confidentiality, immediacy, and control—all critical factors in a time when reproductive rights and privacy were becoming increasingly important social issues.

Evolution Toward Simplicity and Reliability

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, manufacturers focused on making tests easier to use, more accurate, and faster. This included:

• One-step testing (no droppers or test tubes)
  
• Clearer result windows with control lines
  
• Increased sensitivity for earlier detection
  

It was during this evolution that pregnancy test strips became popular. These affordable and highly sensitive tests work by simply dipping the strip into a urine sample, making them both effective and accessible. Today, they are a go-to option for women seeking reliable results without the premium price tag of digital tests.

 

Modern Pregnancy Test Technology

Unmatched Convenience and Accuracy

Modern pregnancy tests have come a long way from animal-based experiments and complicated test kits. Today’s products offer nearly 99% accuracy when used correctly after a missed period and can detect very low levels of hCG—sometimes as low as 10–25 mIU/mL.

Advancements in test sensitivity have made it possible for some brands to detect pregnancy even a few days before a missed period. This early detection is especially valuable for women actively trying to conceive and tracking their cycles closely using tools like ovulation test kits.

A great example of this progress is the MomMed Ovulation Test Strips, which help users monitor their LH (luteinizing hormone) surges and identify fertile windows with precision. When paired with MomMed Pregnancy Test Strips, users gain a comprehensive and affordable way to manage their reproductive journey at home.

Digital Integration and Smart Features

Many of today’s pregnancy tests also include digital readouts that eliminate the guesswork of interpreting faint lines. These digital tests often display simple words like “Pregnant” or “Not Pregnant,” and some even sync with smartphone apps to provide fertility tracking, reminders, and personalized recommendations.

Some innovations include:

• Bluetooth-connected test kits
  
• App-based fertility calendars
  
• Dual hormone detection (hCG and LH)
  

These features represent a merging of health tech and convenience, allowing for a more data-driven approach to fertility and pregnancy tracking.

Current Leaders and Consumer Trends

Today’s market is populated by well-established brands such as First Response, Clearblue, and MomMed, each offering a variety of options for different needs—from early detection to digital clarity to budget-friendly strips. Consumer trends indicate that many buyers look for:

• High sensitivity (low mIU/mL detection)
  
• Quick result times (1–3 minutes)
  
• Affordable bulk options
  
• Easy-to-understand instructions
  

As a result, MomMed has built a reputation among budget-conscious, accuracy-driven users. Their tests combine laboratory-level sensitivity with user-friendly design, offering peace of mind to women who want quality and reliability without overpaying.

Why Understanding This History Matters Today

From Trials to Triumph

Looking back, it’s astonishing how much progress has been made. From sacrificing rabbits to scanning QR codes on test sticks, each innovation brought us closer to safe, private, and early pregnancy detection.

Improved Reproductive Health Outcomes

Accurate testing has made it easier to confirm pregnancies early, allowing for faster prenatal care, better family planning, and more empowered decisions.

If you're in the phase of tracking ovulation to better time your pregnancy testing, consider MomMed Ovulation Test Strips. These strips offer:

• Quick and accurate LH surge detection
  
• Simple at-home testing
  
• Ideal pairing with pregnancy tests for full-cycle monitoring
  

They provide a complete and affordable fertility tracking solution.

 

Conclusion

So, when were pregnancy tests invented? While ancient methods tried their best, true scientific pregnancy testing began in the 20th century, and home tests only became available in the late 1970s. Since then, testing has evolved from animal bioassays to lab-based immunoassays, and finally into the hands of everyday people through simple home kits.

Thanks to this incredible journey, pregnancy testing is now faster, more accurate, more affordable, and more empowering than ever before. Whether you're tracking ovulation, hoping for a positive, or simply wanting peace of mind, there's never been a better time to take control of your fertility.