Fitnik, I am really sorry that you have to experience this. Bad enough to want to eat big plates of pasta or loads of chocolate ... but chalk/baby powder. That, you really shouldn't give in to. I've certainly heard of this, and am pretty sure you are not going mad. Although I can imagine that it may just feel like it! Good luck working through this and feel free to come here for some support. Maybe you should get rid of the baby powder for now. -- Gina
I found Q&A
www.babycenter.com
Question: What causes pica (cravings for non-food items during pregnancy)?
The BabyCenter Editors: No one knows for sure. Some pregnant women develop strong cravings for non-food items such as dirt, ashes, clay, chalk, ice, laundry starch, baking soda, soap, toothpaste, paint chips, plaster, wax, hair, coffee grounds, and even cigarette butts. This common phenomenon is called pica (which is Latin for magpie, a bird that will eat almost anything). In some studies, these bizarre cravings have been linked to an iron deficiency — even though none of the craved items contains significant amounts of iron.
If you crave any of these items, that doesn't necessarily mean you have any sort of deficiency, and it definitely doesn't mean you should consume them! In fact, eating non-food substances can actually interfere with nutrient absorption and possibly cause a deficiency. And while eating ice is not likely to be harmful (except possibly to your teeth!), eating dirt or most of the other items mentioned can lead to illness, such as lead poisoning or bowel blockage, or in rare cases, even death.
If you are having any strong cravings for non-food items, it's a good idea to talk to your physician or midwife. While this kind of craving is somewhat common among healthy pregnant women, it's worth getting checked for any underlying physical or psychological problem. And just talking with your practitioner about these feelings may help you deal with them in a healthy way.
