Leave a Review Expectful
Great, but I would like the daily suggestions back
I have been using Expectful since I was pregnant with my son almost 3 years ago. It’s been so helpful and I love it! That being said, I miss having the daily suggestion on which meditation to do. This changed with a recent update I think where now I always have to look through the library to find one that might be good. Some days I’m just not in the headspace nor do I have the time to look through the library. I just need something really quickly. I can’t say I always loved the daily suggestions, but they at least got me to focus on meditation in the little time that I had. I find I’m not using the app as much because I have to spend more time deciding what I want to do.
All this to say, I give it 5 stars because I have loved it for so long and it’s been a tool and a comfort through my biggest life transitions. I’m also not going to stop using it because I don’t like this new update. I still think it will bring tremendous value to any new user.Show lessAllyson12
Must have for pregnancy
I first downloaded this app while trying to conceive, and at that time didn’t feel that the subscription was worth the cost so I deleted it. I’m now 7 weeks pregnant and decided to give it another try last week and I’m so glad I did!! I listen to this at least twice a day. The daily meditation in the morning and I listen to a sleep meditation every night. I have already noticed a significant improvement in my sleep and in my moods in general. If I’m ever feeling anxious or on edge, I just listen to a meditation and it honestly helps so much!
The meditations are quick, easy, and enjoyable. I don’t feel like it’s a chore like I have with other meditation apps.
I also really like that the app offers more than just meditation. I really like the articles every week, as well as the Hypnobirthing section. This section makes me feel much more relaxed and prepared for labor.
If you’re on the fence about this app and the subscription just do it! Trust me! Your mental health is so important during this time and this app is well worth the subscription cost.Show lessRoseyRunner326
Judgmental though app works fine
I have no real issues with the interface. I’m not sure what the purpose of being able to “save” or “like” courses / articles was, as there is seemingly no place those are stored separately. But it wasn’t too difficult to scroll back and find what I wanted through the Explore feature.
I rated this low because there is a very narrow view of what is “natural” and “correct” for pregnancy and birth, even in the hypnobirthing course, which I thought was just supposed to provide tools for managing pain and stress during birth. In the course, you are told that you will not be comfortable unless you are in a dark, silent room (at home), and that being in the hospital will cause stress. Additionally, in the part describing induction, you are told that it’s unnatural (the hormones you get are synthetic and therefore will make labor harder).
I didn’t download this app for someone to tell me what my doctor has already explained. I will be in a hospital and I will be induced - I have no choice. Rather than discussing at length how much harder my labor will be and why, I’d rather they focus on the tools to get through it. I’ll be looking for another app to assist me through labor.Show lessMon's iTunes
A pregnancy app that actually supports you
This is my second pregnancy and I ran the gamut through pregnancy apps with my first: most were cutesy “watch your baby grow” some were tip based apps that actually provided some very unhelpful stereotypical advice found in books treating pregnancy like a pathology. (It is not a pathology). Other apps present you with risks and data, adding to stress and pointing out stuff I already knew.
Bottom line Expectful is the first pregnancy app to actual support you as a complete woman experiencing pregnancy: stress management, meditation, support, and counseling. This is wonderful. There are also sections for body health and well being, embracing us as mothers with strengths and fears instead of instruments of failings and pathologies, which is so so common in how mother and baby are treated in the US.
I don’t need more of that, Expectful has brought me tears of happiness (literally) with the support I have gotten. I WISH American healthcare was always like this app!!!Show lesshappyslappykat
Wish I would have found this earlier!
I’m on my 3rd pregnancy. I’ve been through all the pregnancy apps. They are well intended, but they never fit my personality. The information on all the others is very medicalized information, and not really an actual preparation for birth. Randomly, last night I thought it would be so nice if there were an app that was holistic while tracking the pregnancy. I’ve only had it one day and I’m blown away with how much I’ve learned! I’ve listened to half the hypnobirthing class, done 2 meditations, and learned about supplements. I so wish I knew about this earlier. I’ve been meditating and doing all the things, but it’s nice to have it all in one app. The meditations are based on your exact day of pregnancy. If you are wanting real advice and to learn things that will calm and ease your mind about pregnancy and birth I highly suggest this app! I’m off to delete my “what to expect” app that I never look at.Show lessMirMirOnTheWall3
Was Skeptical but LOVE
I was skeptical about this app. I get the suggestions and ads and usually ignore them. This one seemed appealing because I needed some 3rd trimester exercises ideas. PLUS they were offering 30 days free trial.
I love this app so far..been using it about a week now. It has helped me get into a better sleep routine, more focused, I feel more energized - note this is not because the app is a cure-all but because I already wanted those things this app helped me to prioritize and get other things in order.
Highly recommend. When my 30 days trial is up I will be purchasing for the very least the rest of my pregnancy but most likely will keep it even after (especially postpartum timeframe).Show lessbarefootbori
Incredible resource!
I’ve had a meditation practice for several years now, but when I got pregnant, I wanted something that would speak to this special time in my life. I’ve been so happy with Expectful! Not only are the guided meditations fantastic, but there’s also live daily content ranging from midwife Q&As, to pelvic floor office hours, to help from newborn sleep experts, to lactation consultants’ advice, to exercise classes for pregnancy and postpartum. It’s warm and professional, mindful and evidence-based. It’s honestly one of the best purchases I’ve made for myself in a long time, and it’s helped me to navigate pregnancy and postpartum with peace, confidence, and comfort. I love, love, love this app.Show lessECMama1
Referring to an embryo at 5 weeks as a baby is distracting
I really want to like this app but I find all of the references in the first trimester meditations to “relaxing with your body and your baby” disturbing. The embryo is the size of a seed or a small piece of fruit, it is not a baby. Miscarriage rates are incredibly high during the first trimester and I think it sets anyone who miscarries up for failure to use this language so early on. If you miscarry early in the first trimester you did not lose a baby, you lost an embryo. They need to work on the language because it should not be used so early on. (This is from someone who had an early loss and downloaded /paid for this app to ease my mind and instead find myself constantly annoyed over this.)Show lessnkmiller01
Great app! Wish there was casting avail
I use the audio the most on this app. It has been a godsend to help me center myself in times of distress. And to help me build good habits. I like to listen to many daily meditation before bed. Sometimes my partner joins me and we hold my belly together while we listen 🥰 I love how limitless the audio options feel and how things are categorized in a way that makes it fun and easy to explore new topics. All of the content on here feels curated with care and written by true experts.
I’m giving this 4 instead of 5 stars bc I wish I could cast the audio to my Google home speaker. I also wish I could cast my workouts to my smart TV. If this app had that capability it’d be perfect!
I haven’t tried the office hours yet, but look forward to. Maybe if that part blows me away I’ll switch this review to 5 stars.Show lessMariel From Oakland
Developer Response
Thank you for your review. We are so happy to be a part of your journey, and we appreciate your feedback. As a small startup, we rely on our user's input to help us grow and improve. We hope you have the chance to join office hours, and please feel free to edit your review based on your experience!Love and use the app daily
I use this app for meditations every morning, every night and at some point during the day I do another meditation and/or the workout. I love the daily meditations, weekly meditations, weekly affirmations and workouts. I did have some technical issues with meditations not being accessible on my dashboard, but I found them through another button and I as able to access them there. The developer takes a bit of time to get back to you with technical issues, but they are kind and responsive. The context is great. If you are TTC this will get you into a great mindset and believe in your body’s ability to do what it was meant to do.Show lessUfhigdedjuhfs
Developer Response
We sincerely apologize that you have experienced technical issues with the app and have not received a response from support. Would you mind emailing me directly at Adriana@expectful.com so I can work to resolve this ASAP? I am unable to look up your account from this review, however once I have the email associated with your subscription I can address this right away. Thank you for getting in touch and I hope to hear from you.
