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Bar Installs World’s First Pregnancy Test Vending Machine to Protect Against Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol

Sep. 17, 2012 7:43am

Most people know that drinking alcohol when pregnant can do extensive harm to one’s unborn child. However, some women consume alcohol while not knowing that they are with child. To rectify this problem, Healthy Brains for Children, a non-profit group in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is planning to put 100 pregnancy test vending machines in local bars — and, potentially, across the globe.

On the surface, the idea might seem a bit bizarre, but the idea is that women who suspect that they might be pregnant would be able to take a test at a bar before consuming any alcohol. The end result would potentially be a decrease in birth defects as a result of drinking while pregnant, as alcohol is the number one contributing factor to developmental disabilities and defects.

Pub 500 Installs the Worlds First Pregnancy Test Vending Machine

Photo Credit: Healthy Brains for Children

“Over 30% of married women and over 70% of 20-29 year old women are having unexpected pregnancies,” the Health Brains for Children web site reads. “Unexpected pregnancies are at a high risk for prenatal exposure to alcohol that can cause lifelong damage to the fetus.”

Already, one bar, Pub 500, in Mankato, south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, has installed the machine in a restroom. Women who choose to use the service simply use a credit or debit card and, for $3, they receive a pregnancy test.

“It was another worthy cause,” explained Pub 500 bar owner Tom Frederick in an interview with ABC News. “We’re involved in all kinds of things in our local community.”

The dispenser isn’t a money-maker for Frederick. In fact, all earnings coming from the sale of the tests go back to Healthy Brains for Children. Still, Pub 500 is offering a service that some experts believe could help curb Fetal Alcoholism Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) as a result of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Pub 500 Installs the Worlds First Pregnancy Test Vending Machine

Steps for using the machine. (Photo Credit: Healthy Brains for Children)

Dr. David Garry, a delivery doctor at Montefiore Medical Center in New York and the head of the Alcohol and Women Committee for the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, believes that the program will offer some important benefits.

“The pregnancy test alone will not necessarily alter FASDs rates,” he told ABC News, going on to note, though, that “there is large potential for reduction of FASDs through the opportunity to raise awareness and provide education to women in the high-risk setting of a bar or nightclub.”

(H/T: Neotorama)

 

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Comments (27)

  • Bobzilla37
    Posted on February 27, 2013 at 10:05pm

    I have hear sometimes to make the mother drink alcohol postpones the labor, Although in recovery myself I have no prob with people that don’t have a prob like I do. I do believe the crux about this is its a great idea saving fetuses and all, the downturn bout this could start another perpetuation of the nanny state, passing a law for all women to buy product before drinking, and the makers of those test could lobby like insurance companies did to force a dollar out of you.

    Report this comment

    Bobzilla37  
  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 7:25pm

    Not quite on topic but prego tests at the dollar store work just as well as the $30 ones at the pharmacy.

    Report this comment

    godhatesacoward  
    • ManThong
      Posted on September 18, 2012 at 12:09am

      The problem is that most of the chicks that would need to take that test will want to get drunk if they find out they are pregnant.

      Report this comment

      ManThong  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 1:50pm

    ROTFLMAO.. How many of us are HERE and had mothers who had a drink or two..??? for that matter had a drink and a smoke.. some people will be dumb enough to pay for this though.. good for the maker of the machine he/she will make money from the dumb and stupid..

    Report this comment

    independentvoteril  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:04am

    I really don’t have a problem with it, but I wonder about the accuracy of the test. Next thing people will see will be a vending machine for the morning-after pill. Those who aren’t pregnant can go get drunk and get pregnant when they leave the bar. Talk about convenience!

    Report this comment

    Tigress1  
  • floridareader
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:58am

    Would Sandra Fluke suit the inventor of the machine as well as the bars that install it?
    In her twisted mind that dispenser could infringe the right of women to hurt the children they carry.

    Report this comment

    floridareader  
  • RightThinking1
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 9:57am

    Too bad there isn’t a “Belligerent Drunk” test.

    Report this comment

    RightThinking1  
  • Thinman
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:59am

    Get a test, drink all night, next morning go to planned parenthood..not sure who thought this is a good idea?

    Report this comment

    Thinman  
    • woodyee
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 9:06am

      Why, that funny guy down the street – you know! Tom Frederick! (snicker!)

      “It was another worthy cause,” explained Pub 500 bar owner Tom Frederick in an interview with ABC News. “We’re involved in all kinds of things in our local community.”

      The dispenser isn’t a money-maker for Frederick. In fact, all earnings coming from the sale of the tests go back to Healthy Brains for Children. Still, Pub 500 is offering a service that some experts believe could help curb Fetal Alcoholism Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) as a result of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

      Report this comment

      woodyee  
  • copatriots
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:38am

    So a chick goes into a bar………

    Seriously, does anyone really go into a bar and say, “Huh, I wonder if I’m pregnant. I wish I could know right away before I order a drink.”

    Report this comment

     
    • momrules
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:49am

      Morning Copatriots……..Exactly! This is just more feel good nonsense as far as I’m concerned. Maybe a little CYA from the bars. Making sure that if someone decides to sue a bar for serving alcohol to a pregnant woman they are covered against liability.

      Report this comment

      momrules  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:03am

      I just want to know why it costs $3. According to Sandra Fluke, the bar is restricting women’s access to pregnancy testing if they are forced to pay for it themselves. That $3 could buy a shot or a beer or maybe a pack of cigarettes! We must stop this bar owners war on women!

      Report this comment

      Gonzo  
    • cessna152
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 11:32am

      …then she finds out she’s pregnant, gets drunk and then gets an abortion. So let me get this straight, having a drink while pregnant is a bad idea, but killing your baby via abortion is a “right”?

      Report this comment

      cessna152  
    • Melika
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 4:58pm

      I was wondering what happens if a woman buys the test, uses it, and it reads incorrectly that she ISN’T pregnant. When she finally stumbles into a doctor’s office and finds out she really is pregnant, the bar will then bear some of the liability.

      Report this comment

      Melika  
  • woodyee
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:22am

    That machine requires hand/eye coordination to use. Do you think those drunk bimbos will even bother? I’ll bet more lushes will confuse it with a diaper station, then turn and in a panic run out to the bartender and slur, very loudly, “Whasshoodoo…….wifmabaybee,,,,,,,huhhhhh?

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
  • noland
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:16am

    i would call life long damage to fetuses abortion.

    Report this comment

    noland  
  • breakobamanow
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:14am

    The Bible has a lot to say about duinking and drunkenness.
    4.Ezekiel 23:33
    Thou shalt be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, with the cup of astonishment and desolation, with the cup of thy sister Samaria.
    5.Luke 21:34
    And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
    6.Romans 13:13
    Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
    7.Galatians 5:21
    Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

    The wine the Bible speaks of is new wine (grape juice), no alcohol.

    Report this comment

    breakobamanow  
    • breakobamanow
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:23am

      There are many bad examples of the use of the wine that contained alcohol, and other “strong spirits”. Lot laying with his daughters is a good one to avoid. When you allow these spirits (pun intended) into your life you are more prone to sin, because you can only resist evil with a sober heart and mind.

      Report this comment

      breakobamanow  
  • wewillbthekey
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:10am

    Some can’t buy contraception items SO they want Others to pay for it.. NOW who do ya suppose will end up giving them CC to use in these non-profit vending machines??!! TIRED of it sick & TIRED OF IT ALL.

    Report this comment

    wewillbthekey  
  • HOOT_OWL
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:08am

    This might come in handy for the Sandra Flukes of this world. But only when they
    can scan there Obamacare- card to pay for the cost of the test.

    Report this comment

    HOOT_OWL  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 7:52am

    Good for them and I hope it helps. For some women nothing would help, and they will do what they want irregardless, but it might slow some of it down. What I like most is that it might make someone think about drinkinf perios, and slow down on it. I have a saying “any situation on earth can be made worse with alcohal”. If you take the time to think about that, it’s really true.

    Report this comment

    Jenny Lind  
    • woodyee
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:33am

      Jenny, you’re right on all points, but the word is “regardless” – no such word as irregardless.

      (helmet – check. Flak jacket – check. Bunker – check…oh, duck!) ;-)

      Report this comment

      woodyee  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on September 17, 2012 at 8:59am

      I admit bad spelling, and it was first thing when I woke up-so thanks, I try to learn something new everyday-you started mine out well. Plus I have no idea where spell check is on this computer! At my age I never want my learning to slow down (67) Have a great day. Oh I am off to look for a gun today to suit a seasoned citizen, think I want to take care of security for myself.

      Report this comment

      Jenny Lind  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 7:47am

    Drinking rights for fetuses. Here comes the ACLU again…

    Report this comment

    JACKTHETOAD  

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