Gwen Walz’s personal struggles with infertility have become a significant focal point in her husband’s vice presidential campaign, establishing the Walzs as prominent advocates for reproductive rights. As the election approaches, Gwen has increasingly shared her experience battling infertility, despite the emotional difficulty of doing so, as she expressed in a recent essay for Women’s Health.
“Many of us discussing our reproductive challenges wish we didn’t have to,” Gwen stated. Her husband, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, is running alongside Vice President Kamala Harris in the election. “You would think that with time, it would get easier, but it doesn’t… However, it’s crucial to speak out, and the fight for reproductive rights is very real.”
Gwen’s decision to share her fertility journey was sparked by a ruling from the Alabama Supreme Court, which effectively ended in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the state by declaring embryos as children under state law. Upon hearing the decision, Gwen recalled telling her husband that they “absolutely [did] not have a choice” but to publicly address their own fertility challenges. Until that moment, the couple had kept their struggles private, even among close friends and family, but the ruling left them “on their knees.”
The Walzs had always dreamed of having a family, and Gwen described their growing concern as they faced difficulties conceiving naturally. They began exploring fertility treatments, during which Gwen was prescribed Clomid, a medication that enhances the chances of pregnancy by stimulating egg production, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, she underwent hormone shots prior to an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure to improve the likelihood of pregnancy and successful fertilization.
Earlier in the campaign, there was some confusion regarding the specific fertility treatments the Walzs had pursued, leading Gwen to clarify that she had undergone IUI rather than IVF. IUI is a procedure that increases pregnancy chances by placing specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. In contrast, IVF is a more intricate process involving the removal and fertilization of eggs in a lab before implanting them back into the uterus.
Gwen recounted the emotional toll of enduring “years” of infertility and the stress caused by complications during routine procedures. She and Tim often took breaks, especially during particularly demanding times, such as the end of the school year when they both worked as teachers. “It is a journey,” she reflected, explaining that it involved experimenting with various approaches and doctors. The most challenging moments, she shared, were the anxious waits to determine whether a treatment had succeeded, often feeling like a personal failure when it did not.
Amid the pressure, Gwen recognized the importance of maintaining a calm mindset. “I needed to stay as even-keeled as possible,” she explained, emphasizing the necessity of controlling her mental health to avoid negatively impacting the process due to overwhelming emotions.
Eventually, their perseverance paid off when they successfully conceived through IUI, welcoming their daughter, Hope, in January 2001, followed by their son, Gus, in October 2006.
While revisiting those challenging years is emotionally taxing, Gwen is committed to using her experience to support others facing similar struggles. She noted that while campaigning, many people have approached her to express gratitude for sharing her story, often sharing their own experiences in return. For Gwen, these encounters are “galvanizing” and affirm the significance of her advocacy. “I share my story in hopes of empowering others to take charge of their journeys,” she stated, “and to foster a path toward change.”
Related topics:
