Toni's surrogate baby

Broadcaster Toni Street and her husband are expecting their third child - this time via a surrogate mother.

Street has opened up on the happy family news for her and husband Matt France and also spoken of the serious health battle that has required them to use a surrogate – Street's best friend Sophie Braggins - to add to their current family of two young daughters.

Street and France will welcome a baby boy into their family in August and have gone public as a rising number of Kiwi families face a range of fertility issues, with some looking at the option of investigating surrogacy.

Image/ Doug Sherring

"My doctor said I'd be risking my life, risking not being around for Juliette and Mackenzie and I decided I can't do that to them - so I wouldn't have a third child."

As the couple dealt with the heart-breaking decision that Street shouldn't carry another child, Braggins made an offer that they couldn't refuse.

"I had mixed emotions," Street said.

"It's a massive thing for someone to do for you - this is my best friend having to go through another pregnancy, me having to watch her be sick, deliver a child and recover.

"All of that just so I could have another child, it was a big decision.

"I initially dismissed it, but Sophie came back and said 'I am serious, I really want to do this' and she bombarded me with text messages to reiterate that this wasn't a pie in the sky offer.

"So, we sat down to have a serious discussion about a year ago."

Braggins, who is married, told the Weekend Herald that she was thrilled to be able to help her friends.

The way New Zealand law works, even though the baby is biologically their own, Braggins will be the legal guardian when he is born.

Street and France then have to adopt their son.

This article was first posted at nzherald.co.nz and was republished here with permission.