Things we Dont Talk about
From Fear to Resilience: A Motherhood Journey You’ll Never Forget
In a recent episode of Mom Essentials, host Angie Weber sat down with Ivy Brooks — a single mom, entrepreneur, and fierce advocate for doing motherhood your own way. The conversation was raw, real, and filled with wisdom you don’t often hear in parenting circles.
Ivy’s story starts with a fear that many moms have — but few talk about: tokophobia, the irrational fear of pregnancy and childbirth. For Ivy, this fear started young. “It felt like an alien was growing inside me,” she shared. The anxiety was intense, often surfacing long before pregnancy was even a possibility. And when it did become real — when she found herself pregnant and alone in Las Vegas — it brought everything to the surface.
But here’s what makes Ivy’s journey so powerful: she didn’t let the fear win.
She moved back to Minnesota, faced uncertainty with grit, and took on three jobs to build a new foundation. She tapped into resources, joined a prenatal program, found a doula, and started educating herself about the birth process. That education — paired with optimism, a supportive sister, and a deep belief that she could do this — helped transform what felt like a nightmare into something healing.
She didn't just “get through” pregnancy. She grew through it.
Ivy describes her pregnancy as physically joyful, even surprising. Her skin glowed. Her energy soared. She felt good in her body — something she never expected. “It was like I became a wild woman, in the best way,” she says. And when it came time to give birth, she did it naturally, powerfully, and without apology — even if the bond with her baby didn’t come instantly.
That’s another part of Ivy’s story that matters: she’s not afraid to say the quiet parts out loud. The things moms often hold back. Like not feeling that “magical moment” right away. Like wondering, “Am I doing this right?” even as you're pushing a baby into the world.
And yet, what followed was a deep, authentic connection with her son — one built not just on instinct, but on showing up every day. “I healed fast, we got out into the world quickly. It came naturally,” she reflects. And as her son grew, so did Ivy’s sense of purpose.
That purpose? Helping others. Through her work in digital marketing, Ivy began aligning herself with companies she genuinely believed in — one of which is LittleOne.Care.
When she first discovered it, Ivy knew right away it was something she wished she had during her own early motherhood experience. Elora, the wearable baby wellness monitor from LittleOne.Care, isn’t just another tracker — it’s a parenting companion. It logs sleep, tummy time, diaper changes, feedings, and even the number of words your baby hears daily — all automatically. It reflects back the invisible parts of your baby’s development and helps you stay connected without feeling overwhelmed.
“It gives babies a voice,” Ivy explains. “And it supports the parent, especially when you feel alone.” She also highlights how Elora offers something most parenting products don’t: community. Through the app, users gain access to a wide network of baby experts — from potty trainers to pediatricians — and a Facebook group of fellow parents navigating similar journeys.
For Ivy, this is personal. Being a single mom without a strong local network meant navigating many moments alone. And while she found connection in unexpected places (shoutout to her fellow single-mom friend Lacey — who came into her life through a Facebook Marketplace transaction!), Ivy knows just how powerful it is to feel seen, heard, and supported — even by a piece of tech.
“Sometimes even if you can do everything on your own,” she says, “you shouldn’t have to. Let someone else carry something.”
As the conversation wrapped, Ivy shared a message all moms need to hear:
“Exploring what love feels like — not just what it does — is the real work. If you’re the type to treat self-love like a checklist, this is your reminder: your baby doesn’t need perfect. They need connection. And you deserve that, too.”
So whether you’re a first-time mom, a seasoned parent, or somewhere in between — Ivy’s story is your reminder that motherhood isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing it your way — with courage, with grace, and yes, even with a little help.
Want to learn more about Ivy or Elora? Check out the episode here or visit LittleOne.Care.
