Sports presenter Erin Andrews talks motherhood, fertility issues and health supplements: so ‘important’
NFL reporter and entrepreneur Erin Andrews recently became a mom — and with an increasingly busy schedule to juggle this fall, she described motherhood to Fox News Digital as “ever-changing,” as she and her husband, former NHL player Jarret Stoll. , parent of their grandson.
Baby Mack was born via surrogacy on June 28. It’s the result of a decade-long effort in which Andrews struggled with infertility while battling cervical cancer, according to USA Today.
Now that the Los Angeles-based journalist has successfully navigated the IVF and surrogacy process, she revealed in an interview how she managed to juggle her career and motherhood.
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“I’m not used to it at all,” she says honestly.
“I don’t even know how to make this work. It’s really, really difficult.”
Throughout her fertility journey, Andrews remained focused on her own health, she said, which included taking various supplements. “They have become part of my routine in my daily life.” (Thorne)
Andrews said she and her husband were “flying by the seat of our pants.”
She added with a laugh: “We’re crazy here. It’s fun chaos, but it’s crazy.”
Andrews shared her exhaustion trying to do it all — but also said she reminded herself to “stop trying to be perfect” and remember what it took to get her little boy here in the first place place.
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Focusing on her own health during her fertility journey, she said, included taking a variety of supplements, primarily Thorne products.
“My doctors, specialists and acupuncturists were forcing them on me,” she said. “And then I loved them so much and they became part of my routine in my daily life.”
Andrews said that for her, Thorne products are must-haves, including omega-3 with CoQ10, basic prenatal vitamins for daily use and the Sleep+ offering for travel. (Thorne)
“Even after I finished IVF and the fertility process, I kept it up because I travel a lot, I’m with a lot of people, I’m on planes – and I have to stay healthy during football season. and when I come home and see my son.”
Andrews said she takes Thorne probiotics and still takes the brand’s Basic Prenatal daily supplement, adding that the vitamin is “great for women, even if you’re not trying to get pregnant.”
“Take it easy…Give yourself a break. It’s not easy.”
She also stressed the importance of vitamin C, magnesium and sleep powders, as well as daily collagen and green vegetable supplements.
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“I just think it’s such an important thing to put in your body,” she said.
Andrews said that despite some fatigue, she currently feels good.
The new mom stressed the importance for her of adding vitamin C and magnesium to her diet. She also uses collagen and green vegetable supplements. (Thorne)
For any other women who may be struggling with fertility issues, Andrews said they should do so because “they’re not alone.”
She added that this situation “is really difficult. It’s not as easy as everyone makes it out to be.”
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She also encouraged women to “take a good supplement” as it is important to prepare the body before embarking on a grueling process like IVF.
“Talk to your friends, talk to your family members, because it’s never easy to do this alone,” she said.
Erin Andrews on the field before a game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium on November 22, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. She is a veteran FOX Sports reporter. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Besides being asked to freeze her eggs in her 20s, Andrews said she wishes someone had told her to take a break before tackling her infertility.
“Go easy on yourself,” she advised other women. “Give yourself a break. It’s not easy.”
A veteran FOX Sports reporter since 2012, Andrews has been an integral part of some of the network’s biggest events, including three Super Bowls (Super Bowl XLVIII, Super Bowl LI, Super Bowl LIV), 10 NFC championships and the 2014 and 2015 World Series ./MLB All-Star Games.
Find a healthy balance
Dr. Elizabeth Swenson, MD, OB-GYN, a California-based gynecologist with online reproductive health care provider Wisp, told Fox News Digital that she recommends a wide variety of vitamin supplements for women trying to get pregnant .
These include folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.
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For women who recently had a baby, Swenson recommended the same supplements in addition to prenatal vitamins.
“Before starting a vitamin or supplement regimen, it is important that women who are trying to get pregnant (or who have recently been pregnant) consult their health care providers,” she said.
A gynecologist told Fox News Digital that pregnant women should consult their doctors before taking supplements. (iStock)
“Specific needs may vary based on individual health concerns, dietary restrictions and other factors.”
Swenson encouraged women to be wary of how certain supplements may interact or interfere with other medications and to take note of the quality of the supplements.
“The supplement industry is not as strictly regulated as the pharmaceutical industry,” she said.
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“There may be variations in the quality and purity of different products,” she added.
It is therefore essential to choose reputable brands and products that have been independently tested for quality.
“A woman’s lifestyle and supplement intake should be considered based on her individual health needs, goals and any specific deficiencies she may have,” said a gynecologist based in California. (iStock)
Women who already receive their daily vitamin intake through a well-balanced diet do not always need additional supplements, as this could lead to an imbalance and possible health problems, the expert also warned.
“Every person’s nutritional needs are different,” she said. “What works well for one person may not work for another.”
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Swenson added that “a woman’s lifestyle and supplement consumption should be considered in conjunction with her individual health needs, goals, and any specific deficiencies she may have.”
“For example, if you start taking supplements, you should also eat well and exercise,” she said.
“Supplements are not a one-size-fits-all approach to a healthy lifestyle,” she added.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.