The representation of Catherine in The Great season 2 as scrounging for dirt or having it brought to her by Elizabeth in a dish does a lot to juxtapose Catherine’s importance and “Great”-ness with a much baser image, hammering home larger thematic ideas. The Great season 2 sees her embody this title in a lot of ways, but also shows her failing to enact many of the things that she wishes to. In the series, Catherine has had herself crowned as empress and taken the title Catherine the Great. This demonstration of Catherine’s craving for eating dirt is not only entertaining to watch and a historically accurate representation of pregnancy experiences, but it also serves an important narrative purpose. Today, pregnant people are usually treated for the compulsion with vitamin supplements that solve the nutrient deficiency, rather than being given fancy bowls filled with dirt. A part of The Great s eason 2’s historical accuracy, in pregnant people pica is most commonly caused by a nutrient deficiency which Catherine, living in the 1700s, likely would have suffered from in some form. Pica is simply the ongoing compulsive need to eat non-food items which, depending on the items eaten and the longevity of the condition, can either be relatively harmless or have serious long-term effects. If the cravings persist beyond a month and after pregnancy, then it is considered an eating disorder called pica. However, Catherine’s craving for dirt in The Great season 2, though not explained, is a not-uncommon side effect of pregnancy. Related: The Great: Did Pugachev Really Impersonate Catherine's Husband, Peter? This progresses over the following episodes and Elizabeth’s (Belinda Bromilow) friendship to Catherine is shown through her delivering dirt to her on a platter. It is first introduced in The Great season 2, episode 1 “Heads It’s Me,” and one scene shows Catherine surreptitiously scraping dirt from the edge of her tent. The motivation behind Catherine’s actions often isn’t immediately clear, but when Catherine eats dirt it is never really explained. – Health-e News.The Great season 2 picks up four months after the end of season 1 with Catherine (Elle Fanning) notably pregnant and the season covers the months up to the birth of Paul and beyond. Women craving soil during their pregnancies are therefore advised to have their iron levels checked in order for them to be monitored and treated if necessary. Soil may also interfere with the absorption of nutrients, and can also suppress appetite which may cause the foetus to receive insufficient nutrients for developing well in utero. Some of the side effects of eating soil include constipation and faecal impaction. The craving for soil by pregnant women is a symptom of a severe lack of iron. “After revealing that I had been eating soil, the doctor said it might have had an impact on my iron levels but could not conclude that it was entirely the cause.” Insufficient nutrients Her doctor spoke to her in order to establish why her iron levels were so low. After the birth, doctors ran some tests and they realised that I had low iron levels and would require a blood transfusion.” “I gave birth by emergency C Section after my blood pressure went up and was uncontrollable. After the birth of her baby doctors realised that there was something wrong with her. Sambo* continued to eat soil until she was due. During the last month of my pregnancy, I could not help myself any longer so I gave in and would eat soil.” Low iron levels “I used to have the cravings but I would avoid it by eating sweets instead. I am thankful that they were able to get me blood when they did because I probably would not have survived,” said Booi*.Īnother woman who also developed an addiction to eating dirt is Judith Sambo* (26) who gave in to her cravings for soil during the third trimester of her pregnancy. “Before giving birth, I was put on about six drips and after giving birth, they gave me a blood transfusion because I had lost a lot of blood. They advised me to stop eating soil after I had confessed to my addiction.” Life-threateningĭuring labour, women lose a substantial amount of blood, and already low iron levels could be impacted negatively by the added loss of blood – which could be life-threatening if they don’t receive a blood transfusion or treatment. “After conducting blood tests, it was discovered that I lacked iron and the nurses were concerned that my addiction could cost me my life. But unlike many who have not suffered any side effects as a result of their unusual cravings, she had complications. Booi is among the many South African women who develop a strange need to eat soil during pregnancy.
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