Model's surrogacy has unexpected addition

Rosie Luik (left) gave the ultimate gift to her friend Lauren Lichtnauer. Photo / Instagram, Lauren_Lichtnauer

After 21 failed IVF treatments, a woman desperate to fall pregnant turned to her best friend to be a surrogate. But just weeks before her surrogate twins were due, she finally fell pregnant.

Lauren Lichtnauer and her husband Myron had tried for three years to conceive, battling through IVF treatments and suffering four miscarriages.

After seeing her friend's long struggle, Brisbane model and mother-of-four, Rosie Luik, decided to help.

Speaking to 60 Minutes, Luik said: "I just blurted it out, I said, 'look, we'll discuss it later, but basically I'm going to have your baby'."

Admitting to feeling conflicted as her friend carried her babies, Lichtnauer told 60 Minutes the process was "surreal".

"I was jealous, she got to carry these babies but I was also in complete utter amazement and awe that someone would love me and find me special enough to do that for me," she said.

Just weeks before Luik was due to give birth to her friend's children, Lichtnauer fell pregnant.

"I started to cry and said [to Rosie], 'I have something to tell you and please don't be mad and please don't hate me'," Lichtnauer told 60 Minutes.

"I think every woman out there who’s ever wanted a baby or had a baby would know exactly how it feels. But there are no words for it. You can’t control it." EXTRA MINUTES | Lauren and Rosie reflect on their altruistic surrogacy experience.

Posted by 60 Minutes Australia on Sunday, 15 May 2016

When she revealed she was also pregnant, Luik burst into tears.

"I was just over the moon," Luik said.

The twins she carried for her best friend now refer to Luik as their "tummy mummy".

Both women say the experience and unexpected outcome has brought their families together.

"Seeing my best friends face when they were placed in her arms was just magical and it's something I will never forget," Luik said.