First, a Philadelphia-based startup called Lia Diagnostics is preparing to launch a new home pregnancy test made entirely out of paper. That means you can fold it and flush it, making it much more private and less conspicuous than the standard plastic tests that you tote around and then toss in the trash. (Or save for posterity!) Not to mention, it's a way more eco-friendly alternative. The company hopes to bring its new product to market by 2017.
Related: 10 Home Pregnancy Tests (and How to Use Them)
And if that all sounds cool but decidedly low-tech for your tastes, consider another new product in early stages of development: German scientists have designed a fiber optic sensor that connects with smartphones and can be used to register changes to the body, by analyzing blood, urine, saliva, or sweat. As you might imagine, there are many potential applications for this technology in the real world, but a pregnancy test is among them. (And then in pregnancy, it could also be used to look out for gestational diabetes.)
Wow: Can you imagine learning you're pregnant from your smartphone?!
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Alesandra Dubin is a new twin mom. She's also a Los Angeles-based writer and the founder of lifestyle blog Homebody in Motion. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Google and Twitter.
Photo: Shutterstock
