Why do pregnant women eat ice during labor

If asked to make a list of things synonymous with pregnancy, your list may look a little like this: joy, excitement, nesting, heartburn, cravings, cravings, and more cravings!

Yep, all those pregnancy hormones really ramp up the senses, making smell and taste (and texture) the basis for many pregnant people’s cravings, or aversions for that matter.

Craving ice a sign of labor

And among the list of the most common cravings — including pickles and ice cream, of course — is, surprisingly, eating ice while pregnant. So what's the deal with pregnancy cravings, and why is ice calling the names of pregnant people everywhere?

According to Jessica Shepherd, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Verywell, "Pregnancy cravings can be caused by a few things, with hormonal changes being one of the main factors, mainly progesterone.

Hormone changes can affect [the] sensory experience of food, smell, and mood, which can all lead to cravings for certain foods. Many pregnant people report having a heightened sense of smell during pregnanc

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