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5 - (Un)planned pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2026

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Summary

This chapter positions women’s magazines within the long publishing history in the genre of pregnancy literature. That books within this genre were reprinted, some numerous times, reflects a keen interest in learning more about the bodily and emotional experiences of pregnancy and, perhaps, a want to supplement information given at doctors’ appointments. We learn how women’s magazines published explainer and educational articles in non-technical language on the main phases. Credentialled experts were employed by the magazines to enhance the credibility of the information provided, and to establish the magazines as sources that could be trusted. In some respects, they proved to be superior to the traditional manuals, because the letters pages provided an even greater opportunity for women to explore their personal experiences. The chapter also charts how the magazines dealt with the more difficult elements of the pregnancy experience. They tackled the issue of infertility, bringing a private and often unspoken subject into the public realm. Not only did they seek to demystify this medical condition, but they also sought to help women come to terms with feelings of grief and inadequacy. Abortion was illegal in Ireland, but the magazines did not shy away from the issue. Although never actually advocating the legalisation of the service in Ireland, they did cover the changes in England that resulted from the passing of the Abortion Act in 1967. By writing about the availability of the service there, such columns acted as advertisements for those who could afford to travel.

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