Cravings clay during pregnancy. in this article we will discuss pregnancy phase carvings and pica. through this article we will be able to know is there any side effect of these cravings.

Cravings clay during pregnancy.

 Understanding Cultural Meanings and Integrating Indigenous and Biomedical Knowledge Systems in Clay Ingestion During Pregnancy Among Black African Women in a North London Borough Results of this qualitative audit among Black African women in a North London Borough demonstrate that clay intake during pregnancy is a cultural occurrence rooted in indigenous knowledge .

Causes.

These are some of the most typical causes of pica:

disorders affecting development, such as autism or intellectual impairments, during pregnancy.

schizophrenia is one example of a mental illness.

culture's reverence for or belief in the healing powers of specific nonfood items.

undernutrition, especially anaemia caused by a lack of iron.

the causes of consuming clay include reducing nausea, desires, "mineral deficiency," and other beliefs that support life, such as reducing morning sickness. However, the top down approach and response of public health practitioners, which views the practise as "dangerous" and potentially harmful to the health of the pregnant lady and her unborn child, and calls on general practitioner doctors to discourage it, runs the risk of alienating the target community.

Clay Ingestion in Pregnancy: 

A Cultural Practise According to participants, pregnant women, especially those from the African continent, were advised to eat a set amount of certain foods. As indicated below, clay was the first thing discussed.

There are some foods that, according to our culture, you should consume and others that you shouldn't. You're supposed to eat clay or soil. This is due to the fact that when it rains and you're pregnant, the scent of the rain plus your hormones make you feel like eating dirt. 

In her culture, eating while pregnant was common and accepted, and she explained it like this:

In my culture, everyone is aware that pregnant women consume clay. They'll remark, "Oh, you're pregnant now," when they witness a woman eating clay. Despite the fact that some non pregnant persons eat it. I used to ask my husband to get me the clay when I was pregnant.

Cravings

To meet the enormous demand caused by pregnant women who needed it, Craving Clay was however not just offered in this North London borough but also "back home" as noted below:

In Ghana, the majority of markets sell clay. There are many varieties available; it's a huge industry because most expectant ladies hanker after it. Others simply have a hunger, even those who are not pregnant. It's baked, then presented in attractive plastic containers like candies.

Nausea Control

Clay was consumed among other things to treat nausea as well as to sate appetites. Two participants stated as follows:

The skin of oranges and lemons are two common foods pregnant women eat to combat morning sickness, but clay is an all purpose remedy. It can alleviate morning sickness, satisfy a need, and supply any missing minerals and vitamins.

Giving Life

In addition to all of the aforementioned, clay was seen as a source of life, with religious overtones relating to the beginning of life as seen in creation and the return to the soil in death. This participant described it as follows:

Life and everything else are derived from the soil. Were not we made of soil? Eating it is not unusual because we return to the soil after we pass away. Consider how well performing plants are those that are grown in rich clay soils as opposed to those that are grown in sandy soils. We also consume healthy, rich clay not just any soil. It breathes life.

Does the Baby Face Any Risks?

Eating non food items could be bad for you and your unborn child. Eating non-food items could prevent good food items from absorbing nutrients properly and result in a shortfall. Because non food objects may include poisonous or parasitic components, appetites for them should be taken seriously.

Controlling Pica

Do not be alarmed; it occurs and is not unusual. The most crucial thing is to let your doctor know so that they can make sure you fully comprehend the precise risks connected to your cravings.

Here are some ideas to help you manage your desires for pika:

Review your prenatal health records and let your doctor know.

keep an eye on your intake of other vitamins and minerals, as well as iron.

Think about possible alternatives to the urges, such chewing sugar-free gum.

Tell a friend about your craving so they can assist you stay away from non-food items.

Treatment

Problems like stomach ache and shattered teeth might result from eating nonfood objects. Typically, treating pica starts with resolving these issues.

As a result of pica, some people have lead poisoning, infections, or other serious symptoms. These conditions may be treated with antibiotics or even surgery.

A doctor must first determine the cause of the patient's nonfood cravings in order to treat pica itself. Usually, this entails reviewing their medical background to comprehend any symptoms or risk factors. Blood testing may also be used to look for dietary deficiencies.