Why do some women eat soap when they are pregnant?

@not4me (1711)
United States
December 28, 2006 1:52am CST
I've heard doctors talk about this craving but they never mentioned what nutrient women get from it. I personally as addicted to ice chips when I was pregnant and I was told it was because I was anemic.
4 responses
@imadriscoll (2228)
• United States
28 Dec 06
Non-food cravings, like soap, are called pica cravings. Pica is a Latin (?) word for a bird that eats anything. The cause of pica cravings are not entirely known, though have been connected to iron-deficiency. It may also be connected to an underlying mental or physical condition. I craved meatballs and candy bars mostly in my pregnancies, though I was anemic in all of them. My doctor did warn me to call him if I ever craved non-food items like soap, paint chips and cigerette ashes. I have learned since then that mothballs and dirt are also common pica cravings. If you need more information I would recommend www.pregnancy.org!
@not4me (1711)
• United States
29 Dec 06
Interesting! Thanks for the info. I'll look up Pica :)
@Piratesware (2888)
• Indonesia
4 Feb 07
oo I see I see
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Wow! I knew that pregnant women craved some weird things, I was pregnant 7 times, but I have never heard of a woman wanting to eat soap! I know doctors like to ask if you crave any non-food items. But soap? Wow! I don't think there is any nutrient from soap! I craved different things with different pregnancies. Reese Cups for one...Frosty's from Wendy's from another...pizza and egg rolls at the same time was my favorite. ha ha But never soap. You know they had to go to the bathroom often!
3 Feb 07
ewww....do they??? but doesnt soapz have chemicals and stuff that can be harmful?? anyway....it tastez terrible/....thank god ma mom dint have that craving or i would have been born like a bubble....loll