Non Food Cravings/PICA - Anyone else?

thequeeenbee · June 2011

I've heard of people having PICA (non food cravings) and I know that while it is still rare, it is more common in pregnant women than other adults. People with PICA will crave things like clay, dirt, rocks, ashes, ect. But the craving can honestly be any non food craving.

Anyway, sometimes it can signify an iron defecency. This worries me because I needed a blood transfusion after my first delivery because my body lost a decent amount of blood but it couldn't rebuild my iron like it should have.

I started out just craving a lot of ice. I thought it was just because it was getting hot outside. But last weekend I took DS to the playground where they have lots of small smooth stones that make up the play area. I kept running them through my hands and playing with them. And before I knew it, my mouth was watering. I thought it was weird, but I let it go as no big deal.

But just now I was watching television (dirty jobs) and they are dealing with bags of small rocks. My mouth started watering again and I REALLY wanted them.

I'm going to talk to my OB about it at my appointment on Wednesday, but I'm just starting to feel crazy. Has anyone else had anything like this happen to them??

Eiskonigin · June 2011

There was one point in my pregnancy where the smell of gravel made my mouth water. I thought it was so strange, but I kind of shrugged it off. It continued for about a month and I haven't had it since. But my entire pregnancy has been a strange one, lol.

novilise · June 2011

I crave ice, too! Is that one of the PICA items, too? I was wondering that today.

But the stones and pebbles...that cracked me up! I know it's not really funny, but the mental image you drew was funny.

forensicmama · June 2011

Having PICA doesn't mean you're "crazy". It's a legitimate disorder... it can be psychological or medical and it's not uncommon during pregnancy. Talking to your doctor is a smart move.

From what I've heard, it's not too dangerous unless you actually start ingesting these items ( Ingesting hair, for example, can cause a bowel obstruction and ingesting soaps can be poisonous (and dangerous to your baby, obviously), etc.) or if you're putting poisonous things in your mouth such as laundry detergent.

NurseLaLa · June 2011

Aww, yeah it sounds like your body is telling you something. Given your history, your doctor should have checked your iron levels already and suggested an iron supplement earlier on.

It would be a good idea to ask your doctor if you can start an iron supplement now, regardless. Your baby is currently storing an abundance of blood in his or her little body and depleting your natural iron sources.

bluerevolution9 · June 2011

craving ice is usually a sign of anemia. If you are having cravings for non food items (large amounts of ice counts) then ask your doctor for blood tests that also check for mineral deficiencies. Are you taking a prenatal multi vitamin and mineral? You might also want to make sure they check your B12 and folate levels.

Craving non food items is a sign of deficiencies and it is important to try to find out what is missing in your body as soon as possible. Since you are craving things from the earth (rocks) it might be a mineral issue.

Just try to eat as much unprocessed foods as possible, whole grains, fruit and veggies, and make sure you are getting a variety. Good luck!

bundymommy · June 2011

I've craved ice occasionally, but nothing too bad. A pregnant friend told me she went to Menard's a couple weeks ago and could smell the lumber and wanted to take a bit out of a 2x4. Smile

Good luck!

lisamoe · June 2011

I eat ice like crazy! I asked my OB and he said my bloodwork was all normal at 28weeks, so he didnt repeat it. I havent craved anything else out of the ordinary, so I figure its ok. And hey, at least ice has no calories! (i just hope i don't break my teeth)

SugarQueen101 · June 2011

LOL, yeah, when I had pica, ice never tasted so good!!!! Sonic has the best ice....I was anemic & was put on iron supplements.

When my sis was pregnant with twins, she craved clay rocks. ewwww!

thequeeenbee · June 2011

It's nice to hear of a couple of people doing the same things. It's one thing to read about it as a medical condition, but another thing to hear from other people.

I'm aware that it can signify that I'm missing minerals in my body, which is why I want to talk to my OB about it. I'm certainly not at the point where I'm not going to be able to stop myself from eating rocks or anything, so I'm not too worried about that. My OB ran blood tests earlier on and they all came back normal, so they have not been run again. However, the same thing happened with my last pregnancy. The problems appeared after delivery.

I have a pretty healthy diet, as I watch what I eat pretty closely in order to fight off GD (which I had last time, but not this time), and I take a complete prenatal with DHA everyday.

Thanks ladies! Smile

sunnydaisy · June 2011

I started craving ice too, then gravel/sand. Of course, I never acted on the gravel/sand. They did discover I was anemic and put me on an iron supplement.

Tell your OB at your next appt. Like you said, as long as you don't act on the cravings, it should be OK.