Bizarre craving for charcoal!

[Wallace]

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?

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

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

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.

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?

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

Eat it,do you good.

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

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,

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?

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

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

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.

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

yopu can buy charcoal biscuits

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

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

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.

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!

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...

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

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!!

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.

[notes Chalk as potential Cravey Pops flavour]

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

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!