Midnight Snacks A Dad's Guide to His Wife's Unusual Cravings during Pregnancy

The Clock Strikes 10 pm. The season finale of your favorite show has just started. She rolls over and says, "Honey - can you do me a favor? I have an incredible craving for dill pickles and a big tub of chocolate chip ice cream."

"Do we have any in the house?" you ask

"No" she says shyly but sweet.

You being thinking to yourself, "If I don't go get her this stuff, she's going to bug me about it for the next hour. But, if I go, you'll miss "Jack" getting caught in the act!" Geeeezzz.. What to do? What to do?

This scenario is quite normal in a couple's life, who are just getting ready to have a baby. Women go through strange but needful cravings throughout pregnancy, but especially during the second and third trimesters. The cravings she is experiencing are those of nutrients that her body needs to provide a healthy environment for your baby.

Some women crave foods like milk, poultry, meats, fruits and vegetables. Some women will crave unusual foods like pickles and ice cream, salsa spooned straight out of the jar, dill pickles and Fritos, or fast food. Others unusually true will crave non-food items such as laundry detergent, dirt or clay. These unusual cravings, known as pica, are very unhealthy for a pregnant woman to satisfy as they may cause anemia or other health concerns.

Your wife's cravings will vary with each pregnancy, as her body will try to double up on the foods the baby most needs to grow and develop. You may be wondering if all these cravings are normal, and should she satisfy them every time? The answer is yes! There is no reason why she should not eat what her body craves. Cravings are just little messages her body is sending her to let her know her baby wants more.

So You Climb out of bed, get dressed, and go out in the cold snowy night to get your ever so pregnant wife a jar of dill pickles and a tub of chocolate chip ice cream.

"Oh and don't forget the hot fudge!" Your wife calls out the door as you turn the ignition. And you think to yourself, "I sure hope this pregnancy doesn't last forever!"

From one new Dad to another. "We've all been there!"

Scott Geiger is the Co-founder of Baby Corner. Along with his wife Elizabeth, they enjoy spending time with their two girls, ages 2 and 1, and spending time together as a couple.

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marie delaney

12/13/2010 5:27 pm

I relised reading these articals that when i was pregnent on my first child id crave soap and their was a point wer i had bitten in to it and every night id put the soap packet under my pillow so that i could get up and smell it in the night. its good to hear other people crave for things like this i thought i was on my own thank you

Mayra

05/09/2010 2:27 pm

Thanks for writing this article! my boyfriend does'nt quite understand what i'm going through, why my eating habits changed so much and especially why some food just disgust me so much and why it seems like there is only one thing i could eat at a precise moment. i'll make him read your article!

Still Alive!

01/12/2010 11:55 pm

Perhaps i might be able to impart some more helpful tid bits! 1) keep the refrigerator and cupboards stocked up like food won't be there tomorrow! lots of fresh fruit and veggies. and hide an assortment of ice cream in the freezer! don't tell her its there.... worked like a charm and you get to play hero because you said you would make the very long trip to the store, when in fact you went to the freezer and unburied the ice cream you had stashed. but use this wisely as she will learn the location and foil the plan. be sure to get a beer for yourself!! *key* 2) if she gets strange cravings like eating rubber bands or dirt. you guys should head to the dr. often eating / craving strange objects as food equals a possible vitamin deficiency or lacking some food ingredient. 3) when the baby comes and people wanna come see the kid have them pick up some groceries or chinese food on the way. get them for all there worth!! seriously if some random wants to drop by and see the kid have them bring something along (dippers, wipes, formula what ever). don't think this is in poor taste either. people will jump at the chance to bring you crap. just make sure its crap you need!! *key* more expensive the better!

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