Woman gives birth to own grandchild as surrogate after daughter's IVF struggle

A 51-year-old woman has given birth to her own grandchild as a surrogate after her daughter struggled to conceive.

Breanna Lockwood, 29, had tried desperately to fall pregnant but suffered heartbreaking losses.

After four agonising years of trying everything including IVF with husband Aaron, 28, they thought their dreams of a family were doomed to failure.

That was until her mum Julie Loving made an offer that would make their dreams come true.

The fit and healthy grandma, who has run 19 marathons, offered to become the couple's surrogate.

Breanna, from Chicago, Illinois, documented her family's experience on her Instagram account ivf.surrogacy.diary, which is followed by nearly 150,000 people.

She laid bare her tough journey to motherhood having fallen pregnant twice but tragically suffering losses both times, including twins.

Breanna went through surgeries and a health condition that meant she would struggle to ever conceive.

She and her husband tried IVF, but a fertility doctor eventually told the couple they should consider surrogacy.

To the couple's joy, her mum agreed to do that for the couple and on November 2, Julie gave birth to Briar Juliette Lockwood — her own granddaughter.

New mum Breanna shared the news on her Instagram, writing in a post that the baby girl “has filled our hearts with so much joy.

“My mom was an absolute rockstar through a difficult delivery,” she wrote.

“The sacrifices she took to bring this little slice of heaven into our world takes my breath away. Holding my daughter in my arms my heart is bursting.

"The feeling of how I would do absolutely anything needed for this child is radiating through me when I look at her, and reflects back on what my mom did for me."

“Every move and decision I make for my daughter, I’m finding the answers through how my mom raised me.

"The way she loves and the selflessness she exudes is pure, genuine and kind.

"My mom Julie, and baby Briar are doing fantastic and healthy! I have SO MUCH to share on our birth experience, but right now my husband and I are soaking up these newborn moments!”

Speaking to Good Morning America earlier this year, the mother and daughter said they both desperately wanted the baby in their lives.

Julie was eager to become a gran and to help her daughter at the same time.

She told the TV breakfast show hosts how she was the one who suggested she be Breanna's surrogate.

Julie said: "I started to talk to her about it. She was not on board and thought I was crazy, but I just kept pursuing it.

"I've run 19 marathons and done many triathlons. I felt like health-wise I could do it and I had really easy pregnancies with my two kids."

Breanna is over the moon with the arrival of new baby Briar.

She wrote in an Instagram caption last week, alongside a picture of herself beaming as she gazed at her newborn: "Just living in new mama bliss!"