To celebrate its upcoming 40th anniversary, e.p.t®, the makers of the original home pregnancy test, explored the emotional experiences of women waiting to find out if they are pregnant, and how that experience has changed over the years with increased access to accurate family planning technology. In a survey of more than 600 participants, within two age groups, ages 22 - 34 and 60+, women shared their thoughts about finding out whether they were pregnant and what the experience was like at the time.

The majority of women (75 percent) surveyed agreed that home testing--as opposed to waiting for results from a physician-- has significantly improved the process of pregnancy testing.

More facts and findings from the survey are included below:

• In the days before home pregnancy testing, most women (82 percent) would make appointments with their doctors to confirm the pregnancy – many (two-thirds) waiting up to eight weeks after suspecting they might be pregnant.
• Today, nearly half of women (47 percent) learn that they are pregnant within the first 4 weeks of their pregnancy. Only a small number (two percent) find out in their second trimester.
• While home pregnancy testing is commonplace among women today, only 16 percent of respondents aged 60 or older have ever taken one.

"As the brand that invented the at-home pregnancy test and changed the way women find out they're pregnant, e.p.t® has been delivering that life changing moment of truth, with accuracy, since 1977," said Antoniette Vessa, Women's Health Brand Manager at Prestige Brands. "Now, we're sharing insight about the emotions that women experience during home pregnancy testing and showing how attitudes have changed over the past 40 years."

For product and purchasing information, visit www.eptfamily.com.