Anyone ever get 'pica' cravings?

[SunChild]

A pica craving is a craving for a non-food substance. The most common substances craved during pregnancy are dirt, clay and laundry starch. Other pica cravings include burnt matches, stones, charcoal, mothballs, cornstarch, toothpaste, soap, sand, plaster, coffee grounds, baking soda, cigarette ashes and ice.

The reason that some women develop pica cravings during pregnancy is not known for sure. But, according to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, there may be a connection to iron deficiency. Pica cravings may be the body's attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing

I once smelled my fabric softner after doing some clothes washing and I just wanted to eat it! I thought I was completely insane but found out that it can be quite common.

I also read about a woman who wanted to drink bleach. :

[astrophe27]

I used to eat ice all the time as a kid. It wasn't til later that I found out it can clue you in to iron deficiency. I've had passing fancies for paper in the past too.

Since starting prenatal vitamins, I stayed on them at my family doc's advice. He thinks all women of menstruating age should take prenatals for the extra iron whether or not they are trying to TTC.

And I haven't had an urge for ice or paper since.

A.

[SunChild]

Yeah thats true about the iron thing, I'm low in iron, taking supplements now, and I don't really fancy fabric softener any more. lol

[MahBearRI]

Not myself so much - but I have a sister that has eaten her own hair, the dogs' hair, and her baby dolls' hair since she was a little girl.

I briefly dated a man several years ago that picked and ate his own scabs.....Agggh...He stuck his foot in his mouth to trim his toenails - and then I knew I could no longer overlook his pica-ness.

And I remember hearing the correlation between pica and iron while in psychology class....

[mama2walden&luna]

I've heard of this. With some women, it doesn't go away after pregnancy. I watched a program about a woman that ate dirt every day.