It’s been nearly 4 months since I used an old butter knife to scrape off grainy bits of my favorite rock to eat, nearly 4 months since I put my rock in a bottle of ice cold water and drank the mineral-y goodness, nearly 4 months since I sucked on it.
For those who aren’t up to speed on my rock eating habits, you can read more here and here. Basically, the last trimester of my 2nd pregnancy I craved rocks, and sand, and grout, and concrete. My mouth literally salivated at the thought of eating chunks of mortar from our bathroom floor renovation. The sight of construction on the side of the road made me want to shove a handful of concrete rubble in my mouth. I was low on iron my whole pregnancy, and I had Pica.
I spoke with a producer for The Discovery Channel’s “I’m Pregnant And” earlier this week about my strange cravings and my love affair with my lovely rock. It was funny recounting the experience to her. The more I answered her questions, the more I had to laugh at how crazy it seems this far removed.
Before I had Leyna, I wondered if my rock cravings would vanish the minute she was out of me, like my heartburn and cankles. Turns out, it took a long while for them to leave. The first couple weeks after having her, I *still* craved rocks, but I didn’t allow myself to indulge anymore. In that time, that craving didn’t seem that odd to me. It just… made sense, you know? Like, it was just like craving a legitimate food item, but I knew I didn’t need it, and I refused to let this rock craving become any more than a silly pregnancy thing.
I don’t know when the cravings officially subsided, but I remember as late as 8 weeks postpartum thinking rocks still looked a little yummy to me. But, at some point, I stopped thinking about them. And now? Well, the whole thing seems totally foreign and ridiculous. I’m guessing that means my iron levels are back on track.
So the rock now has a loving home in a memory box in Leyna’s room, alongside her hospital bracelet and birth announcement. In fact, she’ll never be able to deny that rocks were a big part of her life in utero. Her middle name, Lorelei, was specifically chosen because it is the name of a rock on the Rhine river in Germany.
I won’t be on the show since I’m actually not pregnant anymore, but if any of you out there are and are legitimately craving rocks, they are still looking to cast for the show. If you are interested in getting in touch with the producers, send me an email (link under About/Contact tab), and I’ll forward your info on.
Kendall is nearly 3, Leyna is 3.5 months old, and all I really crave these days is Nutella and a good summer beer.
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9 Comments
When I was pregnant, I used to crave chalk and clay. Totally weird, I know… But I was low on iron too.
Wow! My daughter was born just a day or two after yours. I remember reading your blog at the time and thinking, “What’s so weird about wanting to lick that rock? It’s seems enjoyable.” My iron, obviously, was low, too. Looking at it now, it is not the least bit appetizing. My how things change!
I read an article about this restaurant in NYC that serves a martini with a rock in it. .. it’s literally “on the rocks” LOL. That would have been totally your style, except for the whole alcohol and pregnancy problem…. 🙂
Chalk eater here. Yep, when I was pregnant with my first baby, I totally craved that white chalk you remember from elementary school. I was also had low iron. I’m seeing a trend here. 🙂
Hey Jill, I’ve read your blog since before Kendall 😉 and I love ya.
I don’t know if it is just me or what, but your site takes for.ever. to load now. I’ve tried it on Chrome & Firefox. Just thought I’d mention it….
I’m so sorry, Jenna 🙁 I know. I know. I’m doing the best I can to work on it. I HOPE to have a new blog design ready to launch soon. I know it’s so frustrating. BELIEVE ME, I know. Thanks for the heads up.
That is too crazy! your image drew me into reading this entire post! haha fascinating. i had cravings when pregnant but your typical anything salty and fruit. but i feel like i’m having more cravings now that i’m nursing (my youngest is 8 months old) and i have the WORST sweet tooth. gotta kick that habit though because i won’t be able to nurse off the pounds for long!! 😉 read your blog for a while but trying to stop being a creeper and actually leave a comment!
You know, I know it sounds weird, but people used to store water in clay pots or just dip right into the stream while it was running over rocks. We have some water contamination problems that are worrying, but I don’t think they’re the rocks. And there used to be a place in Georgia that made clay ‘cookies’ for pregnant women. I think it makes sense to be worried about pica if it’s something that can seriously harm you, but I don’t think that the rock-water thing was gross or weird. Maybe a few hundred years back pregnant-with-Leyna you would have been the sort of woman who would have benefited from a little clay pot storage. Who knows? I know that sometimes I wash off rocks and pump water from the local stream and put them together for water for us. I want Charlotte to taste what real water is like – before it’s treated and fluoridized and sent through pipes. It tastes different. More mineraly. Sort of better.
Sarah – I think you make a great point. In a world where our food and water are so far removed from the source, it might be a good idea to take a step back and think about the why we might do something before we label it as weird.
My daughter has pica, and I’m beginning to wonder what natural cures there might be.