Michelle Stafford expecting baby girl

The Young And The Restless star Michelle Stafford has announced that she is expecting her first child.

The Emmy Award-winning actress, who plays Phyllis Summers on the CBS drama, confirmed to People that she is expecting a baby girl through surrogacy.

"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," she said.

The 43-year-old, who is single, went on to say that she had tried artificial insemination, in vitro fertilisation and considered adoption before settling on surrogacy.

"I never wavered in my desire to be a mother," she explained. "But I did waiver on aspects of the process. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."

The baby is due in December.