Demystifying Gestational Surrogacy
You can count on Alcea for dedicated support, education and expertise during your surrogacy journey
Unparalleled attention. Exceptional care.
Becoming a surrogate is a life-changing decision that can be extremely fulfilling, but is not without its own set of unique challenges. Surrogacy requires you to commit to another family for a year or more as you undergo medical and psychological evaluations and procedures, endure all of the challenges related to pregnancy and labor, and carry a baby that isn’t your own. You forfeit elements of your privacy and will spend a lot of time explaining a surrogate pregnancy to strangers. But many people embrace these challenges and believe this path is lined with contentment, accomplishment, and connection, all of which positively outweigh any negatives of the experience.
Surrogacy is a unique opportunity to give an incredible and selfless gift to another person or couple, provides you with life-changing financial benefits, and can create lasting, meaningful relationships between you and the family you helped create. Your Alcea surrogate advocate is someone who has been a carrier and will be your end-to-end partner and advocate, ensuring your voice is always heard.
The Process
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Timeline: 1-3 weeks
Fill Out Application
Pre-screening Coordinator Consultation
Medical Records Review
Evaluation and Background Checks
You'll closely work on each of these steps with your Alcea coordinator – an experienced surrogate – until you are matched with intended parents, and into a successful pregnancy!
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Timeline: 1-4 weeks
In-house social worker evaluation with all adults residing in home
Virtual home visit
Pre-match meeting
It is through this in-depth screening process that we are able to find a perfect match for surrogates and intended families. Once your mental health and home study, medical record, and insurance review are approved and complete, it is time to find your perfect intended parents.
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Timeline: 3-6 weeks
Profile exchange with intended parents
Video call with intended parents
It’s a match!
When profiles align, we coordinate a video call and advocate for both parties until a decision to match is mutually made. Once you are 'officially' matched, we will coordinate the next 'phase' of screening and you and your IPs can get to know one and other in whatever way you both see fit.
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Timeline: 1-2 months
IVF clinic medical screening
Finalizing legal contracts
Clinic psychological screening
Your medical screening will be scheduled at an IVF clinic selected by your intended parents. If it is not local to you, please plan for an overnight stay. During the screening, you can expect to be evaluated by the IVF doctor in order for your medical protocol to be established.
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Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Begin medications & injections
Attend local monitoring appointments
Embryo transfer! (3-7 day trip)
During this phase, you'll begin your medications, and attend local monitoring appointments, which will be at a clinic near you for your convenience. You will travel to your intended parents' IVF clinic for the embryo transfer. This trip typically lasts 3-7 days.
Your Alcea team will pamper you with a fun transfer box, and support you throughout the entire process.
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Timeline: 9 months
Pregnancy tests at a local clinic
Routine appointments
Genetic testing & anatomy scan
Participate in pre-birth order process to establish parentage
Delivery day!
After the embryo transfer, you’ll return to your local monitoring clinic for blood tests.
Once positive beta tests are established, you’ll undergo an ultrasounds for around six to seven weeks for confirmation of heartbeat(s). This is a very exciting event because it means you are officially pregnant!
You can expect to be released to your personal OBGYN around week 10-12 of your pregnancy. Before you know it, the delivery day will be here.
Your Alcea surrogacy experience will be supportive, empowering, and we know you will be satisfied with your decision to choose Alcea.