Wanting pickles at midnight is a normal pregnancy craving. Wanting to crunch on ice all day, or feeling drawn to eat dirt, clay, or paper, is different. It has a name, pica, and in pregnancy it can be a sign that your body is low on iron.

The short version

  • Pica means regularly eating things that aren’t food, such as ice, clay, or dirt, according to MedlinePlus.
  • It can happen during pregnancy, and a lack of nutrients such as iron or zinc may trigger it.
  • Chewing ice is less risky than eating dirt or clay, but the craving can be a clue that your iron is low. Other items, like dirt, clay, or paint, can cause poisoning or infection.
  • Tell your provider. There’s no reason to be embarrassed; a blood test can check for low iron and anemia, and treating the cause often makes the craving fade.

What pica is

Pica is a pattern of eating non-food materials. To count as pica, the pattern has to last at least 1 month, according to MedlinePlus. It’s most common in young children, but it can also happen during pregnancy.

Things people with pica eat include:

  • Ice
  • Clay, dirt, or sand
  • Paper
  • Paint chips

How it differs from a normal craving. A craving for a particular food, even an odd combination, is common and not a concern by itself. Pica is about things that aren’t food. Some people also describe it as wanting a certain texture in their mouth, like the crunch of ice.

The link to low iron

During pregnancy, a lack of certain nutrients, such as iron and zinc, may trigger these cravings, according to MedlinePlus. Iron is the one most worth checking, because low iron is common in pregnancy: an estimated 10% to 16% of pregnant women in the U.S. have iron deficiency, rising to about 25% in the third trimester, according to the NIH.

So if you notice a strong, ongoing urge to chew ice or eat something that isn’t food, think of it as a reason to get your iron checked, especially if you also have:

  • Tiredness or weakness that seems like more than normal pregnancy fatigue
  • Shortness of breath doing things that used to be easy
  • Pale skin
  • A racing heart

The ice itself doesn’t supply iron; the craving is only a possible signal. See Iron Levels in Pregnancy for what the tests mean.

When cravings are risky

MedlinePlus lists these possible complications of pica:

  • Blockage in the stomach or intestine from material that can’t be digested, which can cause belly pain, nausea, and bloating
  • Infection from contaminated soil or animal waste
  • Lead poisoning, especially from paint or anything covered in old paint dust

If you’ve been eating dirt, clay, paint chips, or anything other than ice, tell your provider soon. They may test for anemia, lead, or infection, and lead exposure in pregnancy is something the CDC takes seriously because it can affect your baby.

What to do

Mention it at your next visit, or call sooner if you’re eating anything other than ice. Your provider may check your blood for anemia and your iron and zinc levels, according to MedlinePlus. Treatment starts with fixing any nutrient shortage, and pica often fades after several months.

If your iron is low, your provider will likely recommend an iron supplement. See Iron Supplements in Pregnancy for help taking it.

In the meantime, keep taking your prenatal vitamin, eat iron-rich foods, and stay away from anything that could contain lead or bacteria, such as soil, clay, or paint.

What to do now

  • Write down what you’ve been craving and how often, to share with your provider.
  • Ask whether your iron and anemia tests should be checked.
  • Avoid eating soil, clay, or paint chips.

Related reading

Sources

Updated October 2026. This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your health care provider.