A woman stepped in to have her best friend’s baby to make her dream of having a second child with her husband come true.
Alicia Ward, 34, was heartbroken when she struggled to fall pregnant after having her first child, Declan, six.
As a result best pal Danielle Blair, 28, offered to be the surrogate for her friend and her truck driver husband Austin, 33.
Danielle fell pregnant with Alicia's daughter in January 2019 and gave birth to tot Maisie on October 1, 2019.
Maisie weighed 6lbs 11oz, much to the delight of her proud parents - who said Danielle delivered "the best gift ever".
Alicia said: "Danielle was already my best friend, but her doing this incredibly selfless act for us has brought us so much closer together.
“I was shocked someone was willing to do such an amazing thing for us.
"I was worried about bonding with Maisie and worried that she would miss Danielle but when I first held her that all washed away.
“She phoned me and said: 'Let me have your baby for you.' At first I laughed, I didn't really think she was serious.
"A few weeks later she called me again and said: 'I'm serious about this. If you want to let's do it.'
"I was shocked but of course I said: 'OK, let's do this.'"
On the day of the birth, Alicia got a call from Danielle to tell her she was having contractions and Alicia immediately rushed to UPMC Women's Hospital, Pennsylvania, with Austin.
The doctors had to induce Danielle and break her waters and little Maisie was born an hour later.
Alicia added: “She's a very happy little girl
"I will tell her from an early age how she was made and I want it to be normal - not a surprise.
"She is no different, just because she doesn't have my DNA.
"Danielle is always going to be in her life and I am so thankful that she could give us the second child we always wanted, I never thought it would be possible.
"It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions but once they are in your arms it is all worth it."
Danielle added: "There was never a doubt in my mind this was something I wanted to do for her.
"Seeing her reaction to the positive test and seeing Maisie for the first time on the ultrasound was so indescribable."
Proud dad Austin said: "It never felt any different to me than our son, she was ours from the start.
"It was a little awkward watching our friend give birth, but I wouldn't change it for anything."
