Gabrielle Union shares fertility struggles: 'I've had eight or nine miscarriages'

Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Gabrielle Union says she's "had eight or nine miscarriages" in her struggle to become a mom.

People shared an excerpt from Union's book, We're Going to Need More Wine, Wednesday where the 44-year-old actress said in vitro fertilization has failed to help her conceive her first child with husband Dwayne Wade thus far.

"I have had eight or nine miscarriages," the star wrote. "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."

"[We] remain bursting with love and ready to do anything to meet the child we've both dreamed of," she said.

The Being Mary Jane star told the magazine she was moved to become a mom after caring for 15-year-old Zaire and 10-year-old Zion, Wade's sons from a previous marriage, and 16-year-old Dahveon, the NBA star's nephew.

"I never wanted kids," she shared. "Then I became a stepmom, and there was no place I'd rather be than with them."

Union and Wade married in August 2014 in Miami, Fla., after several years of dating. Wade, a point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, tweeted his support for Union after she shared her story this week.

"My wife is one strong individual!!!" he wrote Wednesday.

Union thanked fans for their support the same day, explaining she went public about her fertility struggles in order to let others know they're not alone.

"Why I share my pain along with my joy, important to connect," she tweeted. "No need to suffer in silence or in solitude. Thank u for the support!"