Veronica is one of the main characters in the hit Showtime series Shameless. The show follows the chaotic and dysfunctional lives of the Gallagher family in Chicago’s South Side. Veronica is the Gallaghers’ neighbor and best friend of the eldest Gallagher sibling Fiona. She owns and operates a bar called The Alibi Room with her husband Kevin. Over the course of Shameless’ 11 seasons, Veronica goes through many ups and downs in her personal and professional life. One of the major storylines involving Veronica is her journey to become pregnant and have a baby with Kevin.
Veronica’s Difficulty Getting Pregnant
Early on in Shameless, it is revealed that Veronica has a condition that makes it very difficult for her to get pregnant. This causes frustration for both her and Kevin, who desperately want to start a family together. In season 1, Veronica visits a fertility specialist who gives her slim chances of ever conceiving naturally. This begins Veronica’s long and agonizing mission to have a baby no matter what it takes.
Veronica Tries Artificial Insemination
After getting the grim news from the fertility doctor, Veronica decides to try artificial insemination using Kevin’s sperm. In season 2, she goes through several cycles of artificial insemination but her efforts prove unsuccessful. The process puts strain on their marriage and finances. Still, Veronica remains determined to get pregnant.
Considering Adoption
With artificial methods failing, Veronica and Kevin start considering adopting a baby instead. In season 3, they meet with an adoption counselor and begin the process of applying to adopt. They soon realize how expensive and competitive adopting can be. Additionally, Kevin has reservations about raising another man’s baby. This leads them to put their adoption plans on hold.
Veronica Takes Fertility Drugs
In season 4, Veronica consults a new fertility doctor who prescribes her strong doses of fertility drugs to stimulate egg production. This treatment seems promising at first when Veronica produces multiple eggs and has them fertilized using Kevin’s sperm. Unfortunately, several cycles of the drugs do not result in a viable pregnancy. The drugs make Veronica feel ill and emotionally drained.
Surrogate Pregnancy Attempts
Still not ready to give up their baby dreams, Kevin and Veronica pursue having a surrogate carry a pregnancy for them using Veronica’s eggs and Kevin’s sperm. In season 5, they find a candidate named Ethel who agrees to be their surrogate. However, Ethel turns out to be mentally unstable and they decide she is unfit to carry their child.
Later, in season 7, V and K turn to their friend Svetlana to surrogate. Svetlana agrees but ultimately has a miscarriage shortly after becoming pregnant, devastating Veronica.
Fostering a Child
After the failed surrogate attempts, Veronica and Kevin look into fostering. In season 8, they take in a young boy named Ethan and plan to foster him short-term. But they end up falling in love with him and wanting to adopt him permanently. There are obstacles, given Ethan’s mother Still has parental rights. For a time in season 9, Ethan is taken away from V and K and they desperately try to get him back.
Veronica Discovers She is Pregnant
In a surprising turn of events in season 9, Veronica discovers she is pregnant! After so many years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, she manages to get pregnant naturally against all odds. Veronica suspects it happened when she and Kevin had a romantic night together after a long dry spell. They are overjoyed at finally getting to start the family they’ve waited so long for.
Veronica’s Pregnancy Complications
Being a high-risk pregnancy due to her medical issues, Veronica’s pregnancy is far from smooth sailing. She experiences heavy bleeding early on and worries she is miscarrying. Thankfully, the baby is still viable but Veronica is put on bed rest. In season 10, Veronica gets diagnosed with gestational diabetes which requires her to closely monitor her diet and blood sugar. She also develops preeclampsia causing her blood pressure to spike dangerously high.
Veronica Gives Birth
In the season 10 finale, a very pregnant Veronica goes into labor. With Kevin by her side, she endures a difficult delivery complicated by her preeclampsia. Thankfully, she successfully gives birth to twin girls that she and Kevin name Amy and Gemma. After nearly a decade of disappointment and heartbreak, Veronica finally achieves her dream of becoming a mother.
Raising the Twins
In the show’s final season, Veronica adjusts to life as a new mom of twins. She is shown lovingly caring for the two baby girls but also feeling overwhelmed. V is stressed out about money and making sure her daughters have everything they need. She and Kevin work through the challenges of parenthood together, relying on help from family and friends. Though exhausted, Veronica cherishes the family she waited so long to have.
Conclusion
Over 11 seasons, viewers witness Veronica’s tumultuous journey to have a baby through many ups and downs. Despite endless disappointments and setbacks, she perseveres in her goal of starting a family. In the end, Veronica is rewarded when she finally conceives and gives birth to twins Amy and Gemma. Though the road to get there was long and difficult, Veronica ultimately accomplishes her dream against all odds. Her story of resilience and overcoming adversity is an inspiration.