Pagophagia, the most common type of pica during pregnancy, is a term used to describe the habit of eating ice while pregnant. Pica is an unusual craving for non-edible items, such as toothpaste, chalk, and soil, and some women experience it during pregnancy. Occasionally chewing on ice may be refreshing and help ease some pregnancy-related symptoms such as morning sickness. However, frequent consumption of cold items during pregnancy may be harmful. Read on to know the reasons, risks, and management of this ice-eating habit in pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Eat Ice When Pregnant?
Ice consumption is among the most common types of pica during pregnancy, along with raw starches and earth (1). While usually this pica is not dangerous, consult a medical professional if the craving lasts for more than a week. Having hematinic sometimes relaxes the pica, if it was specifically due to anemia (low hemoglobin levels).
Do Ice Cravings Indicate Pregnancy?
Ice craving commonly appears early on in the pregnancy though it is often ignored. A study reported that 215 out of 281 participants indulged in pica practices during pregnancy, of which 54% consumed ice during pregnancy (2). However, ice craving is not a reliable sign of pregnancy. Hence, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test.
Why Do Pregnant Women Crave Ice?
Though various cultural, physiological, nutritional, and psychological theories explore the causes for ice craving in pregnancy, the exact cause is unknown (2). Ice cravings in pregnant women could be the body’s way of communicating underlying nutrient deficiencies. For example, a study found associations between ice cravings and iron deficiency anemia and suggested that chewing ice causes vascular changes in the brain that increase alertness in anemic patients (3). Having a blood transfusion sometimes relaxes the pica. Some of the illnesses associated with pregnancy that may induce ice cravings are (2) (4) (5) (6)
Morning sickness
Iron deficiency with or without anemia Image: Shutterstock
Low hemoglobin level
Heartburn or acid reflux
Burning mouth syndrome
Stress or emotional distress
Some neurological conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorders, might manifest through pica. In addition, African-American women are more likely to experience pica in pregnancy than other ethnicities (7).
Are There Any Benefits To Eating Ice?
Ice consumption has the following benefits (8):
Soothes the body and lowers the core temperature
Hydrates the body
Though eating ice offers hydration, it is not a replacement for drinking water (9). Additionally, frequent ice consumption can lead to health problems.
What Are The Risks Of Excessive Ice Consumption In Pregnancy?
The following are some of the complications associated with ice consumption during pregnancy (7) (10) (11) (12):
Damage to the teeth and enamel
Gum infection and cavities Image: Shutterstock
Jaw alterations
Depletion of electrolytes in the body, causing uncommon complications such as seizures
Metabolic disorders such as lead enrichment and poisoning
According to one study, the head circumference of such babies may be smaller than average.
Prone to gastrointestinal complications
How Can The Urge To Consume Ice When Pregnant Be Managed?
The treatment for the pica of ice consumption may vary based on the cause for the urge. An experienced medical practitioner should warrant if the symptoms require intervention during pregnancy. The pica of chewing ice can be managed by (7)
Testing for deficiencies: If iron deficiency is found, restoring the nutrient and electrolyte balance by eating iron-rich food and consuming iron supplements can help.
Counseling: The pica could have a psychological origin. Hence, consultation with a psychiatrist followed by counseling and assessment is recommended. Additionally, psychoactive drugs such as antidepressants may help reduce the symptoms. Image: Shutterstock
