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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Bizarre craving for charcoal!

36 replies

Wallace · 22/05/2006 20:57

Don't ask me how I know that is what I want, I just know! What can I eat instead that will satisfy the craving?

OP posts:

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WideWebWitch · 22/05/2006 20:58

Isn't that called pica? No idea what will work though, sorry!

WideWebWitch · 22/05/2006 20:58

Sorry, it's not, just looked it up, ignore me!

marthamoo · 22/05/2006 21:05

I thought it was called pica too. What's pica then? My friend found herself drooling over rust when she was pregnant - she wanted to lick rusty cars...she resisted, thankfully.

marthamoo · 22/05/2006 21:07

Sorry that wasn't helpful was it? Isn't there research that shows cravings for such weird things can be your body telling you you're missing some vital vitamin or mineral? Maybe taking a multi-vit (for pregnant women) might help?

moondog · 22/05/2006 21:09

It is Pica.
God,wouldn't say no to a lovely crunchy chunk meself.....

Eat it,do you good.

notasheep · 22/05/2006 21:10

i had the bizarre craving in pregnancy thingy-try toothpaste,its on the list of cravings along with coal( abit like charcoal)

i use to sneak into the bathroom to have a blob of Macleans.
Didnt harm me or baby.

I am being serious,dp thought i was addicted.it did pass

stitch · 22/05/2006 21:11

not weird at all, i remember hearing about women craving and actually eating mud during pregnancy.
its all about your body needing some essential mineral, or vitamin. so either eat the charcoal, or get some multivitamins,

Wallace · 22/05/2006 21:14

Mmmm...rusty cars, now that sounds like it would be worth a try

I wonder if I could be anaemic. I forgot to get my 26 week bloods done (am 30 weeks) so I need to get them done soon or my midwife will be cross. Should I mention my cravings, or will I just seem nuts?

OP posts:

kayzed · 22/05/2006 23:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

spacedonkey · 22/05/2006 23:38

my mum craved (and ate) coal and soil during one of her pregnancies

JoolsToo · 22/05/2006 23:42

just as an aside - is folic acid given to pregnant mums these days? it was standard in the 70's

jellyjelly · 23/05/2006 09:10

You should mention it to the midwife when you go for your bloods and yes it is called pica because your body needs something in what you crave.

Pinchypants · 23/05/2006 11:28

Interesting fact: the latin name for a magpie is 'Pica pica'. The weird food cravings are called pica after the magpie, which has a 'large and indiscriminate appetite', apparently.

Never say you don't learn useful stuff on Mumsnet...

Pinchy xx

zippitippitoes · 23/05/2006 11:29

yopu can buy charcoal biscuits

CountessDracula · 23/05/2006 11:31

i could dig the black ones out of the dog's biccies and send to you

zippitippitoes · 23/05/2006 11:32

\link{http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100004508.html\ maybe it's heart burn}

MrsBadger · 23/05/2006 11:39

Try \link{http://www.capers.ltd.uk/shopcart/capers/search.asp?txtSearch=charcoal&send=Search\here} or \link{http://www.houseofcheese.co.uk/acatalog/House_of_Cheese_Biscuits_13.html\here}. Think you can get them in Waitrose too.

Carmenere · 23/05/2006 11:42

I had a weird craving for chewing bath sponges when I was pregnant . Dp used to catch me having an illict chew every so often - and it had to be the fake ones, the natural sponge just wouldn't do!
Very odd!

MrsBadger · 23/05/2006 11:52

I think there's a gap in the market here - those people who make \link{http://www.threelollies.com/\Preggie Pops} (mint, ginger etc, supposed to relieve morning sickness) should make Cravey Pops in a variety of popular craved flavours - I think Mud, Rust, Charcoal and Pickle would be top, but I can see Bath Sponge catching on...

Carmenere · 23/05/2006 11:53

SquarewaysHereWeCome · 23/05/2006 11:55

You can buy charcoal tablets too you know. Had to buy them for the dog once to curb a particularly nasty bout of flatulence

leggymamba · 23/05/2006 11:59

I had a thing for chalk - found myself walking into elc to buy their non-toxic stuff. Munched my way through a whole box,, I always had a piece on me! Give into the craving it feels good!!!

But check with your midwife first!!

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bubble99 · 23/05/2006 12:04

Chalk for me, too. I was the ELC's best customer for a while. Also, tiling grout. The smell of a newly tiled bathroom was too good to resist.

MrsBadger · 23/05/2006 12:18

[notes Chalk as potential Cravey Pops flavour]

keep 'em coming - never craved anything more exciting than gherkins...

Wallace · 23/05/2006 13:04

LOL that I'm not the only one

I do get awful heartburn so maybe it is related. Thanks for those links, and I am tempted to have a look through the bag of dog food!

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