Pica

Wednesday, January 20

For the past month I've been experiencing the pregnancy symptom known as Pica. Which is basically a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g. metal, clay, coal, soil, chalk, paper, soap, mucus, ash, gum, etc.) Isn't that strange? One thing in particular....bath salts. The smell is intoxicating. I'd equate the urge to smell and eat them to a strong pregnancy craving for pickles and ice cream.

Specifically, this brand and smell. Lucky Chic Mandarin White Orchid Bath Salts. Brian bought some as a stocking stuffer last year at Big Lots. I ran out just as I realized how much I craved the smell. When I told Brian he went out and found more and surprised me with them for Christmas. It was the BEST $2 ever spent!

My only problem is keeping myself from actually eating them. I wonder if I'll feel this way after the baby is born? Has anyone else experienced similar urges while pregnant?

7 comments:

Jessica Peck said...

I think I was close with a certain flavor of Clorox Bleach wipes. The fresh scent, the teal one, I just wanted to inhale the container and couldn't get enough. They don't smell so "delicious" anymore, but I always think about it when I smell them. Pregnancy is funny. Good luck with your surgery!

Unknown said...

That is so bizarre! I never had those cravings but now I wonder what they would have been if I had.

Heather said...

I craved ice, lots and lots of ice...was a sign of anemia my dr. said. And the smell of bleach- holy moly when I am pregnant it is the BEST smell in the world! I would literally inhale the clothes as they came out of the washer before throwing them in the dryer.

Myrnie said...

:) I drank gallons of milk a week in my first pregnancy, it was all I wanted. My pregnant friend showed up one day moaning about how much she wanted to eat dirt and grass...my yard was organic, so I marched outside with some scissors and a spoon! She liked the grass better than the dirt, but they were both good ;) (She liked lettuce better, though, she decided that night.) Good luck!

Goosegirl said...

I did not have pica, as my cravings were all food. But all I ate during my pregnancy with my bio daughter was hot and sour soup, vinegar and salt potato chips, pink grapefruit, and kalamata olives. Yeah. I was crazy for anything sour.
I am praying for a healthy delivery for you.

Artfulife said...

I crave the smell of wet rocks & wet dirt when I'm pregnant. It all seriously sells good enough to lick. So strange how that happens. So excited for your new little bundle. Hope everything goes well with your birth.

Marianna said...

I get the urge to shove my son's hot pink play doh in my mouth everytime we're playing with it. I'm strange I know...but I bet it would taste fabulously salty! *sigh* I'm 18 wks preggers does this mean it's only going to get worse and stronger urges??? :)

oh and when cleaning I can't get enough of Pine Solve ooooooh that so fresh and so clean smell makes me gaga!