Gay couple once rejected from adopting become dads for first time thanks to surrogate mum

Harvey Cooper, 30, and Adam Williams, 25, who are engaged, always knew they wanted to start a family together after meeting five years ago.

So they were devastated when an adoption agency turned them away two years ago for health reasons, as Adam has had three kidney transplants.

WATCH: Young Doncaster GB ice skater, 10, practices her moves on frozen puddle

They refused to give up, however, and started a friendship with Naomi, an ‘incredible’ woman who agreed to be their surrogate.

The trio decided that Harvey would donate the sperm and Naomi would provide the egg as well as carrying the baby.

Little Jacob was born on January 31, weighing 8lbs 3oz, and smitten dad Harvey said the new arrival is ‘perfect’.

“It feels unreal to finally be a dad, so surreal,” he said.

More than half a dozen buried treasure troves found in South Yorkshire in 2019

“Even now I look at Jacob and think, ‘wow, that’s my baby’, I can’t quite believe it.

“He is perfect, we couldn’t be any happier to have him.”

Harvey, who is a photographer, told how it was ‘heart-breaking’ to be rejected by the adoption agency and they were so grateful to Naomi for finally giving them the family they had always wanted.

While the surrogate required professional medical care during the pregnancy, the insemination itself was done at home using a syringe.

Speed record train driver lies in an unmarked Doncaster grave - let's campaign to change that

Harvey said it could be done simply by ‘buying a few things from Amazon’.

The trio’s main stumbling block was Covid-19 and the limitations it placed on their movement, as Naomi lives 100 miles away.

Despite struggling to get to appointments they managed to get through the process without any major hiccups.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, a limited number of people could be at the birth, so Adam had to wait outside while Harvey was in the room with Naomi.

After the birth, Adam gave Jacob his first feed from a bottle after Harvey cut the umbilical cord - and they changed his first nappy together.

Now back at home in Doncaster, Harvey said they are a ‘happy family of three’.

He added: “In this day and age we hope it will be fine bringing up a child with two dads, although I’m sure he will be asked, ‘where’s mum?’, a few times.

“We want to have more children in the future so hopefully Jacob will have a brother or sister sometime soon.”

Naomi said: “I’m so glad I have had the pleasure of helping a family become complete. Nothing is ever going to compare to this experience.

"I kept the journey very quiet for the most part of it, but that’s because I wanted to enjoy it. It was my experience and journey to go on and discover.

“My very, very supportive wife has made everything possible beside me and has played a massive part in things.

"Towards the end, I was a bit poorly leading up to little man’s birth, but both of his parents and my wife have gone above and beyond to make sure I’m okay and done anything possible to help me.

"I wouldn’t change any aspect of this for the world. The feeling, I just can’t explain it.”