Learn The Surrogate Process

Timeline: 2-7 days

1. Submit Application

   Begin by completing and submitting your online application.

2. Health History Review

   Our team will review your submitted health history to ensure initial eligibility.

3. Pre-Screening Coordinator Consultation

   You’ll meet with a coordinator to go over your background, answer questions, and discuss next steps.

4. Surrogate Mentor Engagement

   Get matched with an experienced surrogate mentor who will support and guide you through the early stages of the process.

1. Background & Safety Checks

• Background Check

• Sex Offender Registry Check

• Financial Services Check

• OB Clearance

2. Medical Record Review

• Initial Medical Records Review

• Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) Consult

3. Mental Health & Psychological Screening

• Readiness Session

• PAI (Personality Assessment Inventory)

• Virtual Home Study

• Full Psychological Evaluation

4. Paperwork & Insurance

• Updated PAP (Pre-Application Packet or similar paperwork)

• Insurance Review

5. Logistics

• Locate Lead Monitoring Clinic

• Identify Delivery Hospital

6. Education & Profile Completion

• Surrogacy Education Modules

• Complete Surrogate Profile

7. Pre-Match Meeting

• A conversation with the team to confirm readiness for matching

What Happens Next?

Through this in-depth screening process, we are able to find the perfect match between surrogates and intended families.

Once your mental health, medical records, and insurance reviews are fully approved, you’re ready to be matched with your intended parents.

1. Complete Pre-Match Consultation

   Meet with your coordinator to review your readiness, preferences, and next steps.

2. Make Intended Parent (IP) Selections

   Review intended parent profiles and select those you’d feel comfortable matching with.

3. Complete Compensation Acknowledgments

   Review and sign documentation acknowledging understanding of compensation structure.

4. Discuss Insurance Status

   Clarify the status of your existing insurance coverage and surrogacy eligibility.

5. Profile Exchange & Acceptance

   Your surrogate profile is shared with the selected intended parents (IPs) for mutual consideration.

6. Send GC Medical Records to IVF Clinic

   Your cleared medical records are sent to the intended parents’ fertility clinic for review.

7. Clinic Pre-Approval

   The IVF clinic evaluates your records and provides pre-approval for you to proceed as a surrogate.

8. Alcea-Hosted Video Match Call

   A video match meeting is hosted by Alcea’s licensed PhD mental health professional to support alignment and clarity between all parties.

9. Match Acceptance

1. Travel to IVF Clinic

• You will physically travel to the intended parents’ IVF clinic for your medical screening.

• Your Case Manager (CM) and Travel Concierge will coordinate travel, lodging, and logistics to ensure a smooth experience.

2. Medical Screening for GC (Gestational Carrier) and Partner (if applicable)

• Bloodwork & Labs: Includes testing for STIs, FDA compliance, nicotine, drugs, and overall health markers.

• Transvaginal Ultrasound: To confirm a healthy uterine lining.

• Saline Ultrasound (Sonohysterogram): To assess the shape and condition of the uterus.

• Psychological Screening (Optional): Some clinics may choose to repeat or expand the initial psych evaluation.

• Third-Party Consult: Meet with a team at the clinic who may include nursing staff, coordinators, or reproductive specialists

1. Legal Support Coordination

Alcea’s Legal Administrator will assist you in retaining independent legal counsel to represent you throughout the contract process.

2. Review Gestational Surrogacy Agreement (GSA)

• Receive First Draft of the GSA from the intended parents’ legal team.

• Review Thoroughly with your attorney to understand all terms and protections.

3. Collaborate with Counsel

• Work closely with your attorney to address any questions, concerns, or changes to the draft agreement.

• Ensure all terms align with your understanding and comfort.

4. Confirm Compensation Acknowledgment

• Confirm that your previously signed Compensation Acknowledgment is accurately reflected in the legal contract.

5. Final Agreement & Notarization

• Once all parties agree to the terms, you will sign and notarize the final GSA.

• Only after full execution can medical cycling and embryo transfer proceed.

1. Pre-Cycle Preparation

• Pre-Cycle Connection Call to review your next steps and answer questions.

• Receive your Protocol Calendar outlining medication and monitoring dates.

• Medications and instructions are mailed directly to your home.

• Local monitoring clinic is confirmed for routine bloodwork (BW) and ultrasounds (US).

2. Medication & Monitoring

• Begin taking medications as instructed.

• Attend scheduled local monitoring appointments for BW and US to track your response.

• Follow all instructions from your IVF team closely — adjustments may occur during this time.

3. Embryo Transfer

• Travel to the IVF clinic for your embryo transfer as scheduled.

• Enjoy rest, relaxation, and your Alcea Goody Box while you await results.

4. Post-Transfer Monitoring

• Return to your local clinic for follow-up bloodwork and ultrasounds as instructed.

• If the cycle is unsuccessful, you will be fully supported by Alcea as you consider next steps.

• If pregnancy is confirmed, continue medications until 8–10 weeks, when you’ll begin to ween off meds.

5. Graduating from the IVF Clinic

• Around 8–10 weeks, you’ll graduate from the IVF clinic and transition to your local OB.

• First OB visit includes labs and a heartbeat (HB) scan to confirm ongoing pregnancy.

• Pre-OB Transition

  • Sign forms at the clinic to allow records to be released to Alcea and Intended Parents (IPs)

• Routine Appointments

  • Attend regular OB check-ups

  • Complete NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)

  • 20-week ultrasound

  • Fetal echocardiogram

• Legal & Planning Milestones

  • PBO (Pre-Birth Order) confirmed

  • Prepare for the following birth planning steps:

    • GC-led birth planning

    • IP-led birth planning

    • Joint birth planning

    • Social worker visit scheduled at hospital

Birth & Post-Delivery

• • Receive delivery goody treat box

  • Labor and delivery

  • Day of rest and breast pumping (if applicable)

  • Leave hospital

The fourth trimester — the first three months after giving birth — is a profound and often overlooked stage of a surrogate’s journey.

Here’s what a surrogate typically needs during this time, shared with honesty and compassion:

1. Physical Recovery & Rest

    •    Healing time after delivery is essential, whether she had a vaginal birth or C-section. Her body has gone through months of change and labor, and rest is non-negotiable.

    •    Medical follow-ups with her OB to monitor healing, address any complications, and check for issues like infection, heavy bleeding, or blood pressure changes.

    •    Nourishing food and hydration to support recovery, especially if she’s pumping breastmilk.

2. Emotional & Mental Health Support

    •    Acknowledgment of her experience — She just completed a deeply selfless act, and it’s normal to have complex emotions: pride, relief, grief, joy, and even unexpected sadness.

    •    Space to talk openly without judgment — with friends, family, her surrogacy agency, or a therapist who understands postpartum and surrogacy-specific feelings.

    •    Screening for postpartum mood disorders — Even though she’s not parenting the baby, hormonal shifts can still trigger postpartum depression or anxiety.

3. Connection & Closure

    •    Updates from the intended parents (if agreed upon) can help her feel connected and reassured about the baby’s wellbeing.

    •    A thoughtful goodbye or transition if the intended parents are traveling home — ensuring she doesn’t feel abruptly cut off after such an intimate journey.

4. Practical Support

    •    Help with household tasks like meals, laundry, and errands — recovery can be slower than expected.

    •    Childcare assistance if she has her own children, especially during the early days when rest is crucial.

    •    Time off from work (when possible) to prioritize healing.

5. Recognition & Gratitude

    •    A surrogate often doesn’t get the same community support a new mother receives — but she still deserves to be celebrated and thanked for the life-changing gift she’s given.

    •    Simple gestures like flowers, cards, or check-ins can make her feel seen.

Bottom line:

The fourth trimester for a surrogate is not just about physical recovery — it’s about being cared for, respected, and emotionally supported after giving so much of herself. It’s a period where compassion matters just as much as medical care, and where intentional support can help her close this chapter with peace, pride, and strength.