In this wonderful age, it isn’t difficult to find out if a woman is “in a family way.” These lovely bathroom wands will clear up the question right quick.
But how did they determine pregnancy in previous generations? Did they wait three month, and if there was still no “cycle,” they figured they knew their condition? That’s one option. I understand that there was a procedure involving a rabbit (from what I’ve pieced together from an Aerosmith song and an episode of M*A*S*H*, the poor fellow didn’t survive the procedure). But since not everyone had access to a rabbit, or had to keep their rabbits for breeding and stew, some of our clever ancestors had to develop another method.
If a man suspected that his wife (or other “Lady Friend”) was expecting, he would eat a clove of garlic. After an hour, he would return home. If he opened the door to find the lady in question had a disgusted/mortified look on her face (the look usually reserved for when one farts at her parent’s dinner table, or in Church). If the man was greeted with “Sweet Mother of GOD, You STINK!” the mystery was solved. Time to build, or dust off, the cradle.
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Is this your way of letting us know your little family is about to add a new member?
ReplyDeleteFunny!!! Where did you pick up that titbit?
ReplyDeleteThe Ancient Egyptian method was to have the woman pee on barley. If it started to germinate, that concluded that her pee was full of 'life' and so she was pregnant. It's not quite a stick, but it's pretty damn close :)
ReplyDeleteNo, we're not expecting, but we're still trying for another.
ReplyDeletePee on barley? Eep! That's a great question, Will. I've never pondered it!
ReplyDeleteThere were no pregnacy testing when I had my three, had to wait three months then do a sample. It's all so much easier now.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Things I'm glad I never had to deal with! I wouldn't even know where to find a barley stalk.
ReplyDeleteGood luck trying... I know my nose was much better when "with child"
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all that! Hope to be saying congratulations soon.
ReplyDeleteLOL. I wonder if future generations will look upon our medicine with the same amusement as we do the garlic test.
ReplyDeleteHey Will - I just found you & love the blog. I saw your comment on Everything Emerald and loved the part about some people will fall away with a lot of noise. Great comment. Have an awesome weekend! ~Tracy
ReplyDeleteI guess women just knew.
ReplyDelete