NBC News' Kristen Welker and Husband John Hughes Expecting Their First Baby via Surrogate

Nicholas Rice
·4 min read

Virginia Sherwood/MSNBC

Kristen Welker and husband John Hughes are set to become a family of three!

After years of struggling to get pregnant, the Weekend Today co-host and chief White House correspondent for NBC News, 44, shared that she and her husband of four years are expecting their first child together — a baby girl — in June through a surrogate.

"After years and years of trying, I'm having a baby girl with John and we are so excited," Welker revealed during Friday's Today broadcast. "It's with the help of a surrogate."

Welker and her marketing executive beau shared their exciting news during Infertility Awareness Week with hopes that their story will inspire others going through similar struggles.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

RELATED: 38 Famous Families Who've Welcomed Children Through Surrogacy

Detailing to Today that she and her husband "immediately started to try to have a baby" after they married in March 2017, Welker said, "It didn't work immediately. So we thought, 'Let's just go to a doctor as a precaution.'"

After her fertility specialist said she should try to conceive through IVF — or in vitro fertilization — Welker said that she then learned that the lining of her uterus was too thin to carry a child.

"And I thought, 'Okay, well, let's fix it. There has to be something that we can do to fix this,'" Welker said.

But after an array of various tests and appointments over the timespan of two years, Welker then accepted that she would not be able to carry a child on her own. "And it was probably the lowest moment and realization that I've ever had," she said.

Want to get the biggest stories from PEOPLE every weekday? Subscribe to our new podcast, PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.

But, refusing to settle and give up on their hopes to become parents, Welker and Hughes did their research and decided to expand their family through surrogacy.

"Being matched with a surrogate is one of the most extraordinary experiences I have ever had," Welker said as Hughes echoed her sentiments, noting, "Our surrogate has been amazing."

"I can't explain just how wonderful she's been," Hughes added. "For her this was about giving something to us that she felt a deep connection to."

And though the first transfer to the surrogate ended up being unsuccessful, Welker's surrogate became pregnant when the news anchor moderated the final 2020 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. "I can't wait to tell my daughter that," Welker said. "I credit her with the fact that I remained calm that night."

RELATED VIDEO: NASCAR's Kyle Busch, Wife Samantha Say Fertility Struggles Put Marriage to the Test: 'It Was Scary'

In addition to speaking with Today, Welker also penned a sweet letter to her unborn daughter, in which she opened up about her and her husband's journey to parenthood.

Writing that she "cannot wait until the moment I hold you for the very first time — it is all I have dreamed about for years," Welker wrote that her daughter's journey "is one that your daddy and I will always be proud of and celebrate. It is a reminder of how much we cherish you."

"Our special helper and hero is a young mom who says being a helper is her purpose," Welker continued in her touching piece. "... The moment that we found out was the happiest of our lives."

She concluded, "My sweet baby girl, your daddy and I haven't met you yet, but we have loved you forever."

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • UPDATE 1-Nasdaq's revenue beats on strong demand for fintech products

    Nasdaq beat estimates for first-quarter revenue on Thursday, driven by strong demand for its financial technology products used by traders and investors to navigate the capital markets. Revenue from its financial technology unit surged 71% to $392 million in the first quarter, while revenue from its index business jumped 53% to $168 million. "Our performance underscores the durability of our business model and our ability to deliver growth across uncertain environments," said Adena Friedman, chief executive officer, at Nasdaq on an analysts' call.

  • Captain Tom’s family home on sale for £2.25m months after unauthorised spa demolished

    Sir Captain Tom Moore’s family home where he raised millions for the NHS has been put on sale following a planning row which forced the veteran’s daughter to demolish a spa building on the property.

  • Budgeting can feel like a balancing act. These tips can help

    From scheduling regular check-ins to planning for unexpected expenses, here are a few tips to help you find more balance with your budget.

  • Private jet overshoots and skids off runway in Brazil

    A private jet overshot a runway while landing in heavy rain at the Comandante Gustavo Kraemer International Airport in Erechim, Brazil, on April 23. Terrifying security footage captured the plane skidding down the runway before plunging down a grass embankment. The three passengers, as well as the pilot and a crew member, suffered minor injuries.

  • IBM stock plunges amid narrow Q1 revenue miss, HashiCorp talks

    IBM (IBM) shares are falling in Thursday's pre-market trading session, marking their worst single-day decline since 2021. This plunge comes in the wake of the company's first-quarter results, which fell short of revenue estimates. Morning Brief anchors Seana Smith and Brad Smith discuss the report, shedding light on IBM's potential acquisition of cloud service provider HashiCorp (HCP). For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • Brighton vs Man City LIVE: Premier League team news line-ups and more tonight

    Pep Guardiola’s men can close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the table

  • RPT-UPDATE 2-Steelmaker Acerinox cautious on second quarter as strike drags on

    Spanish steelmaker Acerinox said on Thursday it expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to improve only slightly in the second quarter due to the weak European market and the prolonged strike at its Spanish mill. The company said that there is no guarantee that the labour dispute at its Spanish steel mill Cadiz will be resolved in the short term. "The European market continues to be weak and has not experienced the expected recovery...even with the reduction in supply," the company said.

  • C3.ai Is Undervalued, but Will Face Profitability Pressures

    The company has no debt but a growing net loss, while Palantir is the stronger peer

  • A Guide to the 9 Enneagram Personality Types and How to Find Yours, According to an Expert

    Here's everything to know about Enneagram personality types, according to expert Nanci Garoon, business operations manager at the Enneagram Group

  • All About Caleb Williams' Parents, Carl Williams and Dayna Price

    NFL top prospect Caleb Williams' has thanked his dad and mom for their continuous support

  • John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Close Friend Elliot Mintz Details Their Life Together In New Book (Exclusive)

    In 'We All Shine On,' the late Beatle's trusted confidant tells the story of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's tumultuous relationship

  • React to the NFL draft with emojis in the Yahoo Sports app!

    Just in time for the NFL Draft, the Yahoo Sports app on iOS is launching a new feature that enables fans to react to draft picks with emojis.

  • The emotional rollercoaster of a baby animal safari

    “Over there, two lions doing what lions do best. Snoozing” said our guide, pointing at a lioness stretched out under a Kalahari apple-leaf tree. Eyes closed, legs sprawled, tail flicking from side to side. Close by her, cubs were cuffing each other lazily. Grabbing my camera, the words “utterly adorable” sprung to mind until, a few yards away, I spotted a baby giraffe, also stretched out on its side, but with two more lions gnawing hungrily at its ribs.

  • Amy Duggar King Hopes Cousin Josh Duggar Endures 'Torture' in Prison: 'He Deserves Every Second' (Exclusive)

    The disgraced reality star is slated to remain in prison until October 2032 following his conviction for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materials

  • Police-recorded shoplifting offences in England and Wales jump 37%

    A total of 430,104 offences were logged by forces last year.

  • US STOCKS-Wall St drops as Meta Platforms, economic data weigh

    U.S. stocks were sharply lower on Thursday, dragged down by growth stocks after dour quarterly results from Meta Platforms, while signs of persistent inflation dampened hopes of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates anytime soon. Meta plunged 14.7% after the Facebook-parent forecast higher expenses and lighter-than-expected revenue. Other growth stocks also came under pressure, with Alphabet , Amazon.com and Microsoft down between 4.3% and 4.5%.

  • Meta's AI spending: 3 reasons why it's worth it, analyst says

    Shares of Meta (META) fell sharply Thursday, after the tech giant released its first quarter results and provided a softer outlook for the second quarter due to increased spending on artificial intelligence (AI) and operational investments. RBC Capital Markets Internet Analyst Brad Erickson joined the Morning Brief to discuss Meta's spending plan. Erickson views the pressure on the stock price following the report as an "overreaction." He notes that although Meta beat on revenue and guidance figures, "the issue was obviously cost." Despite the potential for increased costs, Erickson emphasizes that the company is "still very very focused" on controlling expenses. However, he highlights that the money spent will be invested in areas such as infrastructure for "product development in the future." Erickson notes Meta's investments into AI and operational spending serve three key purposes: First, it helps them develop "probabilistic models" to enhance the performance of ad campaigns. Second, it aids in recommending content, thereby improving the algorithm's effectiveness. Lastly, it increases "users' utility of Meta." Erickson believes that these factors contribute to future revenue growth, balancing out the increased spending. For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Morning Brief. This post was written by Angel Smith

  • FIFA seals closer ties to Saudi Arabia with World Cup sponsor deal for oil firm Aramco

    ZURICH (AP) — FIFA deepened its ties to Saudi Arabia by confirming a sponsorship with the kingdom’s state oil firm Aramco on Thursday. The deal was expected and became inevitable once Saudi Arabia was all but sealed last October as the 2034 host of the men’s World Cup. The deal through 2027 includes the men’s World Cup in 2026 co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Hosts of that tournament will be decided next month. The value of the deal was not disclo

  • Sanikiluaq man facing murder charge makes brief court appearance

    A Sanikiluaq man facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of his wife appeared virtually in court in Iqaluit Tuesday morning. Danny Paul Eyaituk, 38, was arrested April 19 after Annie Tracy Oqaituq, 36, was found dead in their home, according to the RCMP. Eyaituk appeared before Justice Susan Cooper on a video screen. He was in a room at the Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility in Iqaluit, wearing the same blue crewneck sweater inmates at the facility usually wear. Iqaluit defence

  • Intel to report Q1 earnings as Wall Street eyes AI and foundry growth

    Intel will report its first quarter earnings after the bell on Thursday, as investors look for signs of growth in the company's AI and foundry segments.