Being single is a choice, having a child is a wish!

This is the autobiography of a single father’s IVF journey, and he believes the emotional path he took is worth recording!

At 12:00 on January 19, 2024, after more than a year of waiting, my child was safely born at Danruo Hospital in Cambodia—a baby boy weighing 2,980g. At that moment, I truly felt the beauty of life.

It has been a month since I brought my baby home, and I finally have the time to share this unique experience. Many people might ask: “Does a child born without maternal love suffer? Is this responsible?” In my view, as long as we make every effort to create a loving family environment and provide proper education, children in single-parent families can also be happy. Choosing to become a single parent was not a sudden whim, but the result of long and careful consideration.

Some may not fully understand me. I am from Fujian, a homosexual, and I am 36 years old. As a gay man, marriage is not possible for me. Yet, seeing friends around me marrying and having children, I also longed for a child—life needs something to hold onto. At the same time, my elderly parents were eager for grandchildren, which strengthened my decision to pursue surrogacy. When I nervously told my parents about my plan, I did not expect them to accept it so readily. My mother later told me that my father was actually very happy when she told him.

At first, I was unsure where to pursue surrogacy. Domestic laws and regulations pose significant barriers for single individuals wanting to have children. Fortunately, a friend who works in overseas IVF connected me with Uterus International Medical. Trusting their professionalism, I quickly signed the contract.

After careful consideration and guidance from the staff, I chose Thailand as the location. In October 2022, I traveled to Thailand to meet the doctors, undergo physical examinations, provide sperm samples, and select a surrogate mother. To my surprise, everything went relatively smoothly. Nine embryos were successfully created, four of which were male. In May 2023, I underwent the first embryo transfer, implanting a male embryo. It successfully implanted, and at the sixth week ultrasound, the baby was very stable. This was beyond my expectations—I never imagined it would work on the first try.

The happiest moments were seeing the ultrasound progress: first a gestational sac, then a tiny shape, then hands and a face, and finally seeing the baby move and react. It brought me an indescribable joy. In January 2024, I finally met my baby and began my journey as a single father.

Some say that a man only truly matures when he becomes a father. I now understand this deeply. My sense of responsibility has changed, my sense of duty has deepened, and my happiness is different. Perhaps many people share my hesitation and doubts. So, I ask you: If you are considering becoming a single parent, have you truly prepared yourself? Are you ready to take responsibility for a new life?