Carrie Murphy

Here at Expectful, our main goal is to make your experience of conception, pregnancy, and early motherhood easier and calmer. We want to help you develop the tools to deal with the unexpected when you’re expecting (and before and after). But we also don’t want to waste your time – it’s precious, just as the life you’re building. So, the reason we do what we do – all the guided meditations, courses, live events, and other resources – they’re not just about “getting zen.” It’s more than that: m...

It’s no secret that mom’s sleep deprivation is a real thing when you have a newborn. And while you may think you’re prepared to be on #teamnosleep, the reality is that caring for a baby at all hours of the day and night is pretty tricky for most new parents.
And sometimes… really, really exhausting.
Expectful advisor Julie Connelly, a pediatric sleep consultant, explains that a key way to cope with the lack of sleep is to understand that yes, it’s really normal for your baby to need you that ...

You may be surprised to know all the ways lactation consultants can help - from before you give birth to when you're ready to wean. We share these critical points with you, plus, share how to access this supportive care.
You might picture breastfeeding as a natural process, something that will come easily because it’s what your body is designed to do. You’ll effortlessly latch after birth, your baby will have no trouble going between breast and bottle and you’ll feed in public like a boss.
Al...

In 2019, it’s almost certain that any pregnant person with a smartphone and an Instagram account knows what a doula is (a non-medical childbirth support person, for any latecomers). A doula can accompany pregnant women through the transformative process of pregnancy, labor and postpartum. And there is evidence that a doula can provide both physical and emotional support, as well as a variety of other benefits, some of which include a lower chance of Cesarean and a higher rate of satisfaction ...

It’s that time of year — time to break out the boots, light up the fireplace, and restock your over-the-counter cold medicine.
But maybe this year you’re not so keen on the de rigueur drowsiness that comes with Tylenol Cold or the sugary aftertaste of Emergen-C. If so, consider the power of plants to up your immunity and help you hedge infections.
Yep, this is how to build a cold/flu season first aid kit with herbs.
Remedies made from herbs and plants are a modality full of powerful allies fo...

As The Simpsons taught us, brunch is “not quite breakfast, it's not quite lunch, but it comes with a slice of cantaloupe at the end.” And if you’re in New Orleans, it often comes with a cocktail at the beginning and a jazz band throughout. Here are more than 20 can’t-miss brunch spots in nearly every neighborhood of the Big Easy, whether you like your brunches jazzy, boozy, burlesque, or simply delicious -- along with their scheduled hours.
Broadmoor
Tiger Bakery
Quaint and friendly bakery wi...

Midwives are growing in popularity but still largely misunderstood. This three-part series aims to help you answer the question: What’s a midwife and is one right for me?
Americans are more familiar with the vital work of nurse midwives than ever before, thanks in part to the PBS show “Call the Midwife.” Yet in the United States, midwifery is often seen as a fringe choice — something strange, or even perceived as “less than” when compared with OB-GYN care.
But in a country dealing with a mate...

Midwives are growing in popularity, but still largely misunderstood. This three-part series aims to help you answer the question: What is a midwife and is one right for me?
When you think of a midwife, chances are you’re thinking of a “baby-catcher” — a person whose working life is focused on mothers, babies, and birthing.
But here’s a little known fact: Midwives don’t just catch babies. They’re underutilized and often misunderstood providers of reproductive healthcare in the United States.
I...

Breastfeeding, as natural as it is, can be an overwhelming process. That’s why it’s good to be informed about what to expect and how you can optimize the process, both before you give birth and after.
To learn about the absolute musts of breastfeeding, we spoke to Nekisha Killings, MPH, CLC, IBCLC, a lactation consultant and equity strategist in Los Angeles. Here are 15 things to know about breastfeeding before and after birth.

I'm hardly a beauty product junkie, but as I've gotten older and more conscious about the ingredients I'm using on my skin, I've shifted from buying drugstore brand products to more higher-end, eco-friendly, and natural brands. And they don't come cheap. So when I've spent almost $100 on a skincare product (I'm looking at you, Drunk Elephant's Glycolic Night Serum), I want to use it until the last drop.
Enter this amazing $6 bathroom staple: the Every Drop Beauty Spatula. This tiny tool's ent...

Feeling like bouncing off the walls? Here’s what’s going on inside your body.
Oh, joy! That happy, buoyant emotion is a great feeling, whether it’s brought on by a big life event (like a wedding or birth) or something as simple as finding the perfect fruit at the farmer’s market.
On an emotional level, we may feel joy in a variety of ways — tearfully, euphoric, with a deep sense of contentment, and more.
On a scientific level, we feel joy in our neurotransmitters, which are tiny chemical “mes...

Being pregnant in America can feel like a minefield. People navigating the social, cultural, and medical aspects of pregnancy find conflicting information, confusing advice, and pressure when making decisions about care. Guides to pregnancy, too, can be heavily biased and judgmental: on the “best” ways to bond, to give birth, to feed, to nurture. I’ve been a doula for the past six years, so I’ve read literally dozens of books related to pregnancy and birth—and finally, I feel I’ve found one t...

Nitrous oxide is a new option for labor pain relief. What is it, how does it work, and is it right for you?
Nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas," has been used for decades as a labor pain-relief option all over the world. In the UK, it's estimated that 50-75% of people use "gas and air" during birth—you might have seen women breathing it in and out on the popular show PBS show Call The Midwife. But for American mothers, nitrous oxide in labor is still a bit unusual. Here's everything y...

When you're expecting a baby, there is so much to consider—everything from buying the best baby gear to choosing the right provider for your care is on your to-do list. And of course, there's that little matter of planning for the actual birth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about two in three women in the U.S. have vaginal births. If you don't have any major health concerns or issues, it's reasonable to assume that you, too, will have a vaginal birth. Here are s...