Carrie Murphy

Cesareans account for almost one-third of U.S. births. Yet they are still an often misunderstood way to give birth—hidden behind the door of the operating room, an experience from which parents can emerge bewildered and profoundly unsupported. Invisible, in a sense.
From that idea comes a new book out today by Rachel Somerstein investigating surgical birth: Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section.
Somerstein, a journalist and professor at State University of New York at New ...

What is a Doula?
If you’re contemplating having a baby, you’ve heard about doulas. Maybe you have a vague idea of what they do, and you’re vaguely aware that a doula is like a birth coach (which is accurate!). But they are so much more! Doulas are trained non-medical professionals who support people through all kinds of reproductive experiences, from fertility to postpartum.
Doulas are companions and space-holders with vast experience in helping others navigate essential transitions. While no...

As a doula for over a decade, I’m all about products and services that make life easier or more special for pregnant people. Pregnancy can be an intense time of life and expectant parents need a lot of support. And if that support comes in the form of useful products, so be it.
I’m currently pregnant with my second child and on the hunt for things to enha...

Have you ever headed out on an amazing trip, ready for fun and relaxation—just to be confronted with an itchy, painful outbreak of genital herpes? Yeah, us too. Whether it’s a beach trip, a weekend at a cozy cabin, or an epic European adventure, dealing with an outbreak of herpes on vacation is the opposite of fun.
Experiencing a herpes outbreak when you’re on vacation isn’t uncommon. This is because your body is under more stress in general (yes, even though the vacation is meant to be relax...

It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that living with genital herpes is stressful. From managing outbreaks to figuring out when and how to disclose your status, it’s well, a lot. And if you’ve ever noticed that you experience outbreaks even more when you’re worried, anxious, or under pressure, it’s not in your head. There is a real, evidence-based relationship between stress and outbreaks.
You’ve likely observed that you get an outbreak when you’re feeling stressed out, like during a tou...

Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) is kind of a mysterious virus. For some, the virus remains dormant and they never get an outbreak, others get one or two over the course of a lifetime, and others get an outbreak every full moon. If you’re in the last category, you’d probably do anything to help limit and treat those pesky, itchy, symptoms, which always seem to pop up at the most inopportune times. That’s where we come in!
At FemiClear, helping you live your healthiest life with herpes is our goal—and...

Levee Baking Co.’s galette de reine is made with puff pastry, filled with almond custard, and topped with a ceramic moon.
In New Orleans, king cake is well, king. From King’s Day (the feast of the Epiphany on January 6) to Fat Tuesday (this year on March 1), the ring-shaped brioche-style cakes covered in frosting and yellow, green, and purple sugar rule the city. Every baker has their own version. Every citizen has their favorite variety. You can find king cakes on t-shirts, leggings, door ha...

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...