Eating Ice When Pregnant: Safety, Reasons, Benefits And Risks

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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)。而通常这个异食癖不危险,领事t a medical professional if the craving lasts for more than a week to ensure prenatal safety.

HavinghematinicⁱXSubstances including iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid, that help in the formation of blood cells.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 gestation period 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 causesvascular changesⁱXChanges in the blood vessels that carry oxygen and essential nutrients to the tissues in the body.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 (nausea and vomiting)

• Iron deficiency with or without anemia
  

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• Lowhemoglobin level

• Heartburn oracid refluxⁱXAlso known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), a condition that happens when acids from the stomach flow backwards into the esophagus.

• 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 consuming ice during pregnancy and its impact on maternal health(7)(10)(11)(12):

• Damage to theteeth and enamel

• Gum infection and cavities
  
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• Jaw alterations

• 消耗体内的电解质,导致uncommoncomplications such as seizures

• Metabolic disorderssuch as lead enrichment and poisoning

• According to one study, thehead circumferenceof such babies may besmallerthan average.

• Prone togastrointestinal 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 andelectrolyte balanceⁱXThe proper balance of all minerals in the body.by having an iron-rich diet and consumingiron supplementscan help.

• Counseling: The pica could have apsychological origin。Hence, consultation with a psychiatrist followed by counseling and assessment is recommended. Additionally,psychoactive drugsⁱXDrugs that affect the way the brain works and change mood, feelings, and behavior.such as antidepressants may help reduce the symptoms.
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