A single dad has welcomed his second child, a baby boy, after spending thousands on surrogacy.

Nathan Chan – who became a dad for the first time three years ago – announced the arrival of his son, Newton Teen-Chi, a few weeks back.

The dad-of-two, from Canada, is also founder and managing director of Proud Fertility – a surrogacy and egg donation consultancy, which specialises in helping people from diverse backgrounds.

The 36-year-old said: ‘I am a very proud, single dad by choice.

‘My experience in this field has not only led me to a surrogate angel to give me the gift of fatherhood, but inspired me to help others struggling to conceive like myself.’

Nathan decided 11 years ago that he wanted to become a dad. But, being a single man, he knew making this happen wasn’t going to be easy.

He said: ‘I continued to distract myself with globetrotting, music, arts, friends and work. I kept waiting for the right person to share this vision with me to become parents, but that person never came but this feeling was unrelenting.

‘Despite significant pushbacks and very little support from those around me, I continued to investigate every avenue from domestic and international adoption, fostering and co-parenting but wasn’t approved based on my single status, so eventually I settled on surrogacy and egg donation.’

Nathan spent around £145,000 ($250,000 CAD) trying for his daughter Nanette and another £58,000 ($100,000CAD) for Newton. More than £200,000 in total.

He’s also faced seven failed embryo transfers, one miscarriage and one stillborn. 

Nathan adds: ‘It was eight years filled with struggles, heartache and grief, all of which took an emotional and financial toll.

‘But after six surrogates, three egg donors, five fertility clinics in three different countries, and our 10th embryo transfer, the trials finally led to my beautiful daughter, Nanette.

‘She was born via my sixth gestational surrogate and she is worth everything lost and gained.

‘And now she is a beautiful toddler and such proud big sister to Newton.’

Nathan has documented his road to fatherhood online and hopes by sharing his story it will raise awareness and support – especially for other single men who are facing similar barriers.

But Nathan’s journey has attracted a lot of negative criticism.

He said: ‘I get so many hate-filled, judgemental remarks. I try to shrug it off as ignorance.

‘I’m targeted by people who believe that single men aren’t allowed to yearn for a child and I even experienced negative judgement from some of my own friends and family, despite them knowing how desperately I wanted to become a dad.

‘There’s an unwillingness to embrace that families are created in so many different ways. Sometimes it takes a village to raise a child, and for some families, it takes a village to grow a child.’

He’s now working hard to help others start their own families.

Nathan adds: ‘My role is to support surrogates, egg donors, and future parents with the logistical and legal side and I support them during their postpartum recovery. I’m there for them emotionally too and I coordinate professional counselling, which is critical for a healthy surrogacy journey.

‘They say the best things in life are worth waiting for. 

‘Becoming a father through such an unconventional way has been one of the bravest and best decisions I’ve ever made. I am so fortunate and blessed to have two children and I am loving every second of it.’

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