Erin Andrews Says She's 'Found Comfort in Being Really Honest' About Fertility and Motherhood (Exclusive)

Erin Andrews says she's found being vulnerable about fertility struggles, IVF, surrogacy, and now mom life, has afforded her a new community

• Erin Andrews is teaming up with Enfamil Enspire Optimum and Baby Quest to help tackle the financial burden of growing their families

• The Emmy-winning sportscaster says her journey to welcoming son Mack opened up her eyes to the financial struggles women face alongside the physical and mental anguish in struggling with fertility

• Erin and husband Jared Stoll's baby boy celebrates his first birthday late next month

Erin Andrews is raising awareness of the struggles many families face in welcoming children.

The Emmy-winning sportscaster, 45, is teaming up with Enfamil Enspire Optimum to announce a $50,000 commitment to Baby Quest, an organization that provides financial assistance to those who cannot afford the high costs of fertility treatments.

Andrews says her fertility journey, which included several unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) before turning to surrogacy, has helped her learn to be open and honest about her experiences.

"I'm proud of myself for that because, for a long time, we looked at it as almost an embarrassment. We were ashamed, I think because so many people don't talk about it. And then I was in a mood. I had pumped so many hormones in myself from IVF for the last nine years. I was like, 'I am so sick of being quiet about this. I just want to talk publicly,' " she shares.

"I was very fortunate that I was able to do that, and it got some attention and I feel like it really provided some relief and some normalcy and comfort to people that were struggling," she continues.

Since becoming a mom to son Mack, 10 months, Andrews has learned what there is to gain from being honest about the highs and lows of the journey to and through parenthood.

"It really does test a marriage. It tests your mental strength. It tests people in a lot of ways. I've learned that you can't be afraid to ask for help," Andrews shares.

"The mom guilt is real. I've talked a lot about that lately. It's in everything to me, from leaving for my job to feeling like I'm a failure because I'm not there to me, or don't know how to control a temper tantrum, or what to give him. I'm really learning from our nanny and what she's teaching us."

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Related: Erin Andrews Opens Up About Grappling with Mom Guilt: 'Trying to Figure That Whole Thing Out' (Exclusive)

Andrews decided to open up about it on her Calm Down podcast with co-host Charissa Thompson, comparing it to "when you're cooking and you don't know what ingredient you need to fix it."

"I'm not good at that because I'm not a cook. As a mom, I feel like a failure a lot in the morning because I don't know what is going to make him happy or what's not going to make him happy," she shares.

"I didn't know about sharing that but man, the comments we got were incredible. People were so supportive. One lady wrote, 'I got a 16-year-old, and I still don't know what I'm doing.' It was just really, really cool. I've found comfort in being really honest and not acting like I have it all together because I don’t."

For Andrews and husband Jarret Stoll, it is important that sharing their journeys help others realize "you're not alone."

"This sucks, but there are so many people going through it. You have to ask for help, and you have to talk about it. That's why I'm so excited about this partnership with Enfamil Enspire Optimum, because we've introduced Bottle Up to raise awareness for anyone that's dealing with the struggles of infertility. We want to help provide support for their unique journey and this is an outlet where people can discuss it and not feel like they're alone."

The Mack Grant, proudly presented by Enfamil Enspire Optimum and Andrews, will support individuals looking to expand their families.

"When I was going through the whole journey with surrogacy and our surrogate got pregnant, I started seeing what a financial burden it was on people. I kept talking to my surrogate coordinator about it and just said, 'How do people that, let's be honest, don't have a lot of money, how do they deal with this? How do they pay for this?' And she said they don't — they have a really hard time," Andrews tells PEOPLE.

"This is the one thing with surrogacy, fertility treatment, IVF, and adoption that people don't understand. It is so expensive, and you're trying so hard, you're going through anguish mentally, and then when you see what the finances are like, it brings hardship and stress to a lot of those who are trying to have a baby."

"We partnered with Baby Quest, a non-profit organization that provides grants for people who are having a hard time paying for these things. We thought it'd be really cool. We were so excited when Enfamil said they would love to be a part of this and provide money to Baby Quest so we could give out some grants."

Last month, Andrews presented her first grant to a couple in an appearance on Today.

"It was a very special moment. I got a lot more emotional than I thought, but it was very cool. And the good news is there's still some money in our Mack grant that we want to give out. There are still a couple of grants we'd like to give some people, and there's still time to apply. You have until September 6."

"I got to talk to them backstage and take pictures and it was so sweet. I've looked at their Instagram a few times to see what's new with their journey and everything. It's amazing. I understand what it's all about there. It's one of the worst roller coaster rides you could be on when you are dealing with the finances and then when you put that on top of it, it's a lot and to be able to help out and to have Enfamil partner with us. It was really, really special."

Andrews is cherishing the moments with her "wild" toddler leading up to his first birthday and the summer, which brings the return of football and a busier time for the sportscaster.

"As our nanny put it, Mack is a ‘very active baby.’ You are holding him in your arms and this guy does a 360. So I don't know if that means he's going to be some sort of acrobat, but he's wild," she laughs.

"He's curious, he's hilarious. He's such a boy, and it's really funny. He is actually obsessed with a certain electronic device in our house that you say her name and it turns on music every morning. He just looks at it every single day, waiting for someone to ask it to turn on Disney hits or Miss Rachel hits. We actually think it's going to be his first word, which would be unfortunate but whatever."

"He's got swimming lessons after this. He's fully going underwater and kicking its beat. He's crushing that. I'm so proud of him," she adds. "Every day is a milestone, and it's so exciting."

The working mom is also making sure to take care of herself, carving out time each day for a quick workout.

"I've always been someone who's huge on working out, but I really do, now more than ever, have to take a good hour to myself," she says. "Even if it's only half an hour or 45 minutes, I need that to work out and feel better about myself."

She also works hard to keep "really open communication" with Stoll about what they each have going on and what they need from one another.

"It's a lot to handle on your own. You have to have schedules down and who's doing what, and who's helping out. So communication is important."

The mom is excited to see what her husband and little guy come up with for her first Mother's Day. Though she'll be traveling for work on the day of, she's looking forward to an early celebration on Saturday.

"I'm gonna be on a plane. I have to go to New York for the Fox Sports upfront. So I expect my bosses to treat me to a fabulous Mother's Day dinner, once I get to New York. I'll be with my family on Saturday and I'm going to leave it up to my husband, my dog, and my son to make the plans. I'm excited about it."

In June, Mack's first birthday comes amid an already exciting week for the family.

"We're trying to plan Mack's first birthday and get that together. Mack's birthday comes four days after my anniversary, which is on my husband's birthday. We got married on his birthday, so it's a big deal."

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