A transgender couple from Ecuador are set to make history when they become parents next year, believed to be the first pregnancy of its kind in South America.

Diane Rodriguez, 33, a prominent LGBT-activist, recently shared the news that her boyfriend Fernando Machado, 22, is pregnant with their son.

Ms Rodriguez and Mr Machado have been a couple since 2013 after first getting to know each other on social media.

Happy news: Diane Rodriguez, 33, (right) and her boyfriend Fernando Machado, 22, (left) are pregnant with their son - believed to be the first trans couple to have a baby in Ecuador

Mr Fernando is born and raised in Venezuela, but moved to Ecuador to live with his girlfriend, and they are now believed to be the first transgender pair in the country to have a baby.

Ms Rodriguez, who was assigned male at birth, made headlines in her native country in 2013, when she became the he first transgender candidate to run for Congress.

She has previously spoken of how she struggled in the wake of coming out to her family, who shunned her and forced her to live on the streets.

Mr Machado, assigned female at birth, says his transition has been fully supported by his family.

Baby on board: Fernando was assigned female at birth, and Diane was assigned male at birth, but are now living as what they say is their true gender identities

Joyful time: The proud parents posted the sonography for baby Rodriguez-Machado on Facebook

Happy news: The couple, who live in Ecuador, announced their pregnancy in October

Celebration: Earlier this month, the happy twosome celebrated their son's arrival with a 'foetus party'

The couple announced their pregnancy online, having conceived naturally as either of them have yet to undergo lower-body surgery, with Mr Machado now four months pregnant.

Ms Rodriguez told Mexican media: 'This was the wish of both of us and there was nothing biological or legal to stop us, so we decided to do it'

'We live as man and woman. I'm a transfeminine woman and Fernando is a transmasculine man. The process to get here was complex for each of us.

'Knowing it's our right, we decided to add another member to our family. '

The couple conceived naturally as either of them have yet to undergo lower-body surgery

Ms Rodriguez became the he first transgender candidate to run for Ecuadorian Congress in 2013

Hope for the future: Mr Machado now four months pregnant, tow years after the couple met

The pair have been a couple since 2013 after first getting to know each other on social media