Ice Cravings During Pregnancy

Links in Bibliography.

Craving Ice

According to Wikipedia, "Pica is the consumption of substances with no significant nutritional value such as soil, soap or ice. Pica is more commonly seen in women and children, and particularly it is seen in pregnant women, small children, and those with developmental disabilities such as autism" (Pica).

Wikipedia explains Ice cravings, "Pagophagia is a form of the disorder pica involving the compulsive consumption of ice or iced drinks. It has been associated with iron deficiency anemia and shown to respond to iron supplementation, leading some investigators to postulate that some forms of pica may be the result of nutritional deficiency. Chewing ice may lessen pain in glossitis related to iron deficiency anemia. However, the American Dental Association recommends not chewing ice because it can crack teeth; instead, ice should be allowed to melt in the mouth" (Pagophagia).

My Experience

I think Prenatal gummies are okay, but not for long-term use during pregnancy because they led to me becoming anemic. I took them with me first when I was having morning sickness until 15-16 weeks. My OB suggested waiting to take my prenatal vitamins since I was 8 weeks or so until I could stop throwing up even water. I didn't want to not take anything, although I have often heard folic acid is most important for early pregnancy and then it becomes iron. Since I was still in early pregnancy I took the gummy prenatal well into my 2nd trimester. Since prenatal gummies often tend not to have iron, I actually became slightly anemic and began craving ice. The reason I was craving ice was due to the lack of iron in my gummy prenatal and went back on regular prenatal vitamins. I was lucky, I was only becoming slightly anemic when they caught it.

During my 1st pregnancy, when I started becoming anemic, I was driving to the snow cone stand and asking for a snow cone multiple times a day with just the shaved ice, no flavoring. They actually knew I was pregnant and after a while started giving it to me for free since I just wanted the ice. This was unusual behavior for me because I have sensitive teeth and things that are too hot, cold, or sweet hurt. This is what prompted me to say something to my OB when I realized I had been having ice cravings for a few weeks.

Bibliography

"Pagophagia." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Aug. 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagophagia>.

"Pica (disorder)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Oct. 2015. Web. 13 Oct. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pica_(disorder)>.

Last Edited: March 18, 2022

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