Posted at: 07/19/2012 10:35 PM
Updated at: 07/20/2012 1:42 PM
By: Ellery McCardle
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Email to a FriendBar Installs Pregnancy Test
(ABC 6 NEWS) -- A Mankato bar is making news, now the talk of the city, after what it put in its women's bathroom.
As of Wednesday it started selling pregnancy tests.
"What are you talking about, a pregnancy test in a bar?" Said Jody Allen Crowe.
That's the reaction he gets a lot when he tells people that very idea.
It surprised Mankato student Elizabeth Orke.
"I was kind of like, what a pregnancy test in a bar who does that?" Said Orke.
"Once people understand why its here, then there's general support for it," said Crowe.
The reason? To prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol. That's the mission behind Crowe's non-profit, Healthy Brains for Children. He says making pregnancy tests more available is a start.
"We're hoping in the next five years to change the thinking process of responsible drinking," said Crowe.
The first one was installed Wednesday at Pub 500 in Mankato. It'll cost women $3 for each test.
"If you're pregnant you shouldn't be drinking, its as simple as that," said Tom Frederick, owner of Pub 500.
Many women who go out for a drink are pregnant, but don't know it yet. But some who know, still do. According to a new study out by the CDC 1 in 13 pregnant women drink alcohol, some even binge.
"After about 18 days all the nutrients will start to go to the fetus," said Crowe.
The hope is the dispenser will get women who are sexually active to think and make an informed decision before they take another sip.
"I definitely see the potential of the positive results that come from it," said Orke.
"If this saves one child from problems all their life because mom stopped drinking, then we've done our job," said Frederick.
Crowe says he’s looking to put more dispensers in gas stations, malls, fitness centers, more places where women can test in private. He's also looking for more businesses to partner with, even those in Rochester.
