The journey was not easy at all!
FOX sportscaster Erin Andrews, 45, and her husband Jarret Stoll, a retired NHL player, recently welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Mack, through a surrogate in late June. The couple, who began dating in 2012 and got married in 2016, had been on a challenging nine-year fertility journey before their son’s arrival.
In interviews with TODAY and Glamour, Andrews opened up about her experiences with IVF and surrogacy. Over several years, she underwent IVF treatments while dealing with the diagnosis of cervical cancer in 2016. Prior to her diagnosis, she had frozen eggs, and she and Stoll underwent treatments to create embryos.
Initially, Andrews had chosen to keep her IVF journey private, but she later realized that she was not alone in her struggles. By speaking out about her experiences, she hoped to provide support and encouragement to others going through similar challenges.
In her Glamour feature, Andrews shared more about her and Stoll’s path to parenthood. She discussed the difficulties of discussing fertility, especially with men, and emphasized the importance of prioritizing one’s own well-being during the journey. After multiple surgeries to remove her cancer, Andrews gradually began opening up about her fertility journey on her Calm Down podcast and through a personal essay on Facebook’s Bulletin in 2021.
In the summer of 2020, Andrews and Stoll decided to pursue surrogacy. Unfortunately, they experienced the heartbreaking loss of two babies while working with a different family in 2021. However, they eventually found a new surrogate through an organization that proved to be the perfect fit for them.
Andrews described the experience of witnessing the surrogate’s pregnancy as amazing, highlighting her calm and positive demeanor. She also shared a heartfelt moment when the surrogate asked to hold her hand before Mack’s birth, and she saw tears of joy in her eyes. Andrews expressed gratitude for the surrogate’s role in bringing Mack into the world and appreciated her soothing voice during the playoffs, believing it had a positive impact on the baby.
When asked about their adjustment to parenthood, Andrews mentioned on TODAY that it was going great, adding a playful remark about their competitive nature even outside the sports world. She acknowledged that her husband is better at burping, but she excels at swaddling. They both strive to be the best parents they can be and enjoy the journey together.
The article also featured new photos of the baby, showing both parents lovingly doting on Mack. Andrews expressed her hope that motherhood would teach her to take a breath and remain calm for her baby’s sake.
Andrews further reflected on the joys of motherhood in her Glamour feature, particularly watching her husband interact with their son. She expressed excitement about sharing experiences such as watching Seinfeld or Monday Night Football with their child and looking forward to taking him to the hockey rink in the future.
Throughout their fertility struggles and surrogacy journey, Andrews and Stoll have come together to create a loving and supportive environment for their son Mack, marking the start of a new and cherished chapter in their lives.
