Thanks to the help of a surrogate, The Young and the Restless star Michelle Stafford is expecting her first child this December.

Stafford, 43, who has won two Emmys for her role as scheming Phyllis Summers on the CBS daytime drama, tells PEOPLE that she relied on a surrogate after struggling through fertility treatments and surgeries.

"After a three-year journey through hell, I'm elated, ecstatic and feel ultimately lucky to be able to announce I'm expecting my own child via surrogate in December," Stafford says in a statement.

She also confirms that she's expecting a girl.

Stafford, who is single, tried artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and also looked into adopting after deciding to start a family on her own. Four surgeries and three egg retrievals later, she finally arrived at the surrogate option. "I never wavered in my desire to be a mother," she says. "But I did waiver on aspects of the process. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

The actress, who worked with Los Angeles-based IVF specialist Dr. Buylos and the surrogate agency Fertility Miracles, plans to be in the delivery room when her daughter is born in December. In the meantime, she's already looking forward to a baby shower at the home of pal Kirstie Alley – and readjusting her take on the dating world.

"This entire process has been very, very difficult to do on my own," Stafford says, "and has made me realize the importance and reason for a partner."

"Dating men and telling them I'm expecting in December is a little different," she adds. "I know I just need to find someone who wants the same things as I do."

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20302909,00.html

Congrats to Michelle!

Congrats to Michelle! It sounds like she had a rough time so I'm glad that it worked out.

Good for her! I had no idea that she was trying so hard to have children.

Congratulations to Michelle this is a touching story.

I know a couple of people who were in her situation IRL and tried to start a family but had many problesm, and also collected their eggs and went through surrogacy because their life would be in danger.

Congratulations to Michelle, once again on her 'Blessed Bundle' to come.

Congratulations to Michelle! She must be over the moon. Appreciate how honest she was about doing this alone. Can't be easy.

Congrats to Michelle and the it is not easy to work full time and raise a child or children or you own...trust me. However it can be done. Congrats again to Michelle!!!

Congrats to Michelle. I am so happy for her.

Happy news for Michelle...

...and hopefully happy news for viewers with Phyllis taking some time off.

Michelle's situation is the perfect example of why soap actors do not quit when they don't like the writing or are unhappy with pay cuts. These people have real lives with private and public stuff going on.

Happy news for Michelle...

...and hopefully happy news for viewers with Phyllis taking some time off.

some people just can not help themselves can they!

In this day and age, alot of women on soaps bring their children to work with them, provisions are made with a child care provider with the newborn while mommy is on stage, even Mommy's that DON'T give birth. I remember hearing about actress on GH having a mini nursery for Jackie Zeman, Lynn Herring and Kristina Wagner.

Good for Michelle, I'm happy for her.

And if she wants to take a maternity leave, she can and should do it. The first few months are precious in terms of bonding.

Edited September 8, 200916 yr by Y&RWorldTurner

Good for Michelle.

And if she wants to take a maternity leave, she can and should do it. the first few months are precious in terms of bonding.

Nice subtext.

I'm happy for Michelle that she gets to have a baby. It is such a shame that she has had to go through all these measures to have a baby while so many incompetent mothers are able to pump out unwanted babies left right and center. Sometimes 8 at a time.

If she does take Mat leave maybe the writing will be better by the time she returns.

I'm happy for Michelle that she gets to have a baby. It is such a shame that she has had to go through all these measures to have a baby while so many incompetent mothers are able to pump out unwanted babies left right and center. Sometimes 8 at a time.

If she does take Mat leave maybe the writing will be better by the time she returns.

the show will most likely use it as an oppurtunity to break up Phyllis and Nick, put him with Sharon until she comes back and he dumps Sharon for her

Will the surrogate deliver via silent birth?