When the name Gabrielle Union is mentioned, many things come to mind.
The infectious dimpled smile.
Her youthful, never seeming to age beauty.
BET’s hit show “Being Mary Jane” where she stars as the lead character.
Her #RelationshipGoals with NBA star hubby Dwayne Wade.
Multiple endorsements including a clothing line with New York & Co, and her own hair care line Flawless by Gabrielle Union.
However it’s her recent reveal in her upcoming memoir, “We’re Going To Need More Wine” that has opened up another side of the beauty.
In an excerpt of the book Union, 44, speaks exclusively to People magazine of her battles with infertility and failed IVF treatments, revealing that she’s suffered multiple miscarriages in hopes of having a baby with her husband.
I have had eight or nine miscarriages. For three years, my body has been a prisoner of trying to get pregnant — I’ve either been about to go into an IVF cycle, in the middle of an IVF cycle, or coming out of an IVF cycle.
Union, who married Wade in 2014 initially didn’t want children, but after spending time with and helping to raise his three boys (two sons from a previous marriage and a nephew), she realized that having a baby was exactly what she wanted telling People,
I never wanted kids. Then I became a stepmom, and there was no place I’d rather be than with them.
Although Union has spoken of the about IVF previously, this is the first time she’s discussed her own issues and the amount of pressure she’s faced as a public figure.
For so many women, and not just women in the spotlight, people feel very entitled to know, ‘Do you want kids?’ A lot of people, especially people that have fertility issues, just say ‘no’ because that’s a lot easier than being honest about whatever is actually going on. People mean so well, but they have no idea the harm or frustration it can cause.
Through sharing her story she hopes to shed light on the subject and change the way people approach her regarding this sensitive subject.
Once a month I look like I’m in my second trimester because I’m bloated,” she says. “It leads to the questions and it leads to the rumors and anytime I go into a doctor’s office I feel like I’m a member of SEAL Team Six undercover because I don’t want people to speculate.
Gabrielle’s memoir, We’re Going to Need More Wine is out October 17th,