Rocks, Rocks, Rocks, Rocks, Rocks, Rocks!
Monique | Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 9:27AM 
Craving - Noun: A powerful desire for something.
If there's one thing most pregnant women know, it's a craving.
"I NEED tacos!"
"I am DYING for some orange juice!"
"No. Let me rephrase. If we don't have grilled cheese for dinner, I'm probably going to die."
"If I don't get some pizza, you're going to wake up and find yourself smothered to death."
All things I've said this pregnancy. And mostly mean. It's easily understood, the intensity of the craving, and I am lucky to have them satisfied more often than not.
But say "I really just want to put that rock in my mouth."
And {understandably so} you're met with stares of bewilderment.
The powerful desire to eat {suck, nibble, gnaw on, etc} non food items is not as understood as the "usual" craving.
In fact, it's still something I'm freaking out about.
Why in the hey hey would I want to eat a rock?
Iron deficiency, which has led to pregnancy induced Pica.
I often struggle with anemia during pregnancy, coupled with continued breastfeeding, it's unsurprising that I am having these bizarre cravings for stones.
I assure you, these are real, strong, needs to sit on the couch and suck rocks. The same way I woke up feeling like pancakes were the be all, end all of my existence, this morning? I feel that way towards rocks, almost all day, every day.
I have resisted the urge thus far, and when I told my mom how badly I wanted to stuff my face with rocks, her solution was simple: "Wash one off, and do it then."
I've been considering it {and drooling heavily} since.
My doctor is unconcerned, I'm already on iron supplements and my diet is still considered perfectly fine.
All I can do now is wait for it to subside on its own, if it does. Fellow blogger and Pica-er Jill of Baby Rabies said that two years after the birth of her daughter, she still has the occasional rock craving, so we'll see how this pans out.
In the meantime, I'm kind of tired of denying myself pebbles, so I might actually go buy one {or several} and I will most certainly be keeping you all updated.
Reader Comments (5)
I had this with my second son, but instead of rocks it was wood. I would suck on wooden spoons, my other child's wooden blocks, I couldn't stop! As soon as he was born, the pica stopped, and it didn't return with subsequent pregnancies! Good luck, I hope the rocks taste as good as you think they will!
Tires... Rubber... Sometimes it still hits me when I smell it if I walk in to a store! I never gave in though haha!
I never had Pica with my pregnancies. Good thing too because I would have succumbed. The only "weird" thing I wanted to eat was French's yellow mustard, by the spoonful. If your rock craving is as strong as my mustard craving was, I'd clear any and all rocks from sight. And maybe go eat a huge bloody steak (vegetarianism be damned!).
I had pica when I was pregnant with the twins. For me it was sand, or sandy feeling objects. I used to buy and chew on the cardboard back, bright red emery boards they sell for like 50 cents at the dollar store or Sally's. I think I honestly occasionally ate actual sand too, as I spent a considerable amount of time pregnant in Virginia Beach. But, my dad bought me a cast iron pot and suggested I cook in it, and it help subside the cravings for sand for some reason. Good luck. If all you want to do is suck on the rock, I know it sounds odd, but I'd follow your moms instructions. If sand can't kill me, or even emery boards for that matter, you can suck on a clean rock. It'll be like Mountain Flavored jolly ranchers. No worries.
I'm with Nicole... eat that meat, girl! And why resist the rock craving? Clean one off and have a good suck my dear! :D