IVF in New Jersey | Damien Fertility Partners
New Jersey is one of the most favorable states in the country for IVF patients, but choosing a clinic here still comes with real questions. Patients want to understand their specific chances of success, the risks involved, and how the process applies to their situation. Addressing these questions upfront allows for an informed decision before treatment begins.
Damien Fertility Partners has provided IVF treatment across New Jersey since 1989, with offices in Shrewsbury, Newark, and Jersey City. The practice pairs physician continuity at every stage of care with a CAP-accredited, AI-assisted embryology lab.
Ready to take the first step? Request a consultation online. Dr. Perlman also offers virtual consultations for patients who want to start from home.
The IVF Process, Step by Step
Ovarian stimulation takes approximately two weeks. For patients who proceed with a fresh transfer (which is less common), the transfer is performed five days after egg retrieval, bringing the total timeline to roughly three weeks from start to finish.
Patients using a freeze-all protocol extend that timeline to two to three months across the retrieval and transfer cycles, whether or not genetic testing is included. Here is how each stage works.
Ovarian stimulation. The cycle opens with ovarian stimulation. Injectable medications prompt the ovaries to develop multiple follicles over roughly 10 to 14 days. During this window, monitoring appointments (bloodwork and ultrasound) track follicle growth and hormone levels, allowing the care team to adjust dosing in real time.
Trigger shot and egg retrieval. When follicles reach the target size, a trigger shot signals the final maturation of the eggs. About 36 hours later, the egg retrieval takes place. This is a short procedure, approximately 30 minutes, performed under anesthesia using ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration. Patients rest the remainder of the day and are advised not to work or drive. Most resume normal activity the following day.
Fertilization and embryo culture. The embryology team fertilizes retrieved eggs through conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), depending on the patient’s diagnosis. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into the egg and is commonly used for male factor infertility or when prior IVF cycles have shown poor fertilization rates. Embryos develop through day 7.
Embryo transfer or freeze-all. At the blastocyst stage, the embryo is either transferred fresh or cryopreserved for a future cycle. Many patients at Damien Fertility Partners use a frozen embryo transfer (FET) protocol, in which all viable embryos are frozen after culture, and the transfer is scheduled in a separate month.
This approach, with or without genetic testing, allows the uterine lining to be prepared independently of the stimulation medications, which often produces better outcomes. The embryo transfer itself is brief, does not require anesthesia, and patients can return to their routine the same day.
New Jersey’s Insurance Mandate and What It Covers
New Jersey has required some level of fertility insurance coverage since 2001, making it one of roughly 16 states with a fertility mandate on the books. That mandate was expanded significantly in January 2024, when Governor Murphy signed legislation aligning coverage with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) definition of infertility.
The updated law requires group health insurance policies covering 50 or more employees to cover up to four completed egg retrievals per lifetime. It removes restrictions based on relationship status, sexual orientation, and age, providing clarity for patients in a state the CDC classifies as having comprehensive statewide mandated insurance coverage.
Those coverage requirements help explain why 5.6% of all infants born in New Jersey in 2022 were conceived through assisted reproductive technology, the second-highest state rate in the country, behind Massachusetts.
The mandate applies to state-regulated group health plans. Self-funded employer plans governed by federal ERISA law and plans covering fewer than 50 employees are not required to comply. Damien Fertility Partners employs a dedicated bilingual Insurance Verification Specialist who will verify your specific plan’s coverage before treatment begins. Visit the insurance and financial resources page for more details.
IVF cost in New Jersey. IVF costs vary based on the treatment protocol, medication requirements, and whether additional services such as genetic testing or donor gametes are involved.
Donor egg IVF cycles incur additional costs for egg bank fees and donor compensation, and gestational carrier arrangements entail agency and legal fees in addition to clinical IVF costs. Damien Fertility Partners provides individualized pricing during the initial consultation. CapexMD financing is available with pre-approval within 24 hours for patients who need it.
CAP-Accredited Embryology Lab and AI Monitoring
The lab is where much of the outcome is determined, and it is the part of the process most patients have the least visibility into.
At Damien Fertility Partners, the embryology laboratory holds accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the FDA, and the NJ State Department of Health, all with zero deficiencies.
Embryos are cultured in embryoscopes, a type of incubator with a built-in imaging system that captures time-lapse photographs of embryo development at regular intervals without removing embryos from the stable culture environment. This continuous monitoring allows the embryology team to track developmental milestones and select embryos based on a detailed record of their growth over time.
The lab uses CHLOE, an AI-powered embryo monitoring system built by Fairtility. CHLOE analyzes the time-lapse data from the embryoscopes and generates a developmental timeline for patients and physicians to review together, supporting more informed decisions about which embryo to transfer.
Genetic Testing Before Transfer
Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) involves biopsying a small number of cells from the embryo at the blastocyst stage and screening the genetic material. The most common form, PGT for aneuploidy (PGT-A), identifies chromosomal abnormalities. Additional testing can screen for specific inherited conditions based on a patient’s medical and family history.
PGT is not required for every cycle, but it provides information that can improve embryo selection and reduce miscarriage risk. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recognizes PGT-A as a tool for identifying embryos with the highest implantation potential.
In 2023, Damien Fertility Partners reported a 100% elective single-embryo transfer rate among patients under 35, according to SART data. Genetic testing plays a direct role in building that confidence in embryo selection.
Board-Certified Fertility Specialists in New Jersey
Physician continuity is an easy detail to overlook when comparing clinics, but it shapes the entire experience. In larger practices, patients may see a different doctor at each monitoring visit, retrieval, or transfer. At Damien Fertility Partners, the same physician stays with each patient through every consultation, ultrasound, and procedure.
Dr. Miguel Damien — Founder and Medical Director. Dr. Miguel Damien is a Harvard-trained reproductive endocrinologist with more than 35 years of clinical experience, board-certified in REI, and fluent in Spanish. Castle Connolly has named him a Top Doctor in the NY Metro Area six times.
Dr. Barry Perlman — Reproductive Endocrinologist. Dr. Barry Perlman, board-certified in REI and a Fellow of ACOG, joined the practice in 2023. His clinical interests include PCOS, ovarian aging, male factor infertility, fertility preservation, and the effects of endocrine disruptors on reproductive health. Dr. Perlman sees patients in person and offers virtual consultations.
Dr. Nina Seigelstein — Gynecologic Surgeon. For patients who need surgical evaluation, Dr. Nina Seigelstein is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Having an in-house surgical team means patients are not referred to unfamiliar providers when surgery and fertility treatment overlap.
IVF for Every Path to Parenthood
IVF serves more than one path to parenthood. The same core technology supports different family building goals, and the treatment plan adjusts accordingly.
Donor egg IVF. Donor egg IVF serves patients with diminished ovarian reserve, previous cancer treatment, or repeated IVF failure. The practice works with several egg banks to match patients with screened donors.
Gestational carrier IVF. Gestational carrier IVF is an option for patients with uterine factor infertility, same-sex male couples, and individuals who cannot safely carry a pregnancy. Damien Fertility Partners works with carrier agencies and provides clinical oversight of the IVF cycle, embryo creation, genetic testing, and transfer.
Reciprocal IVF for female couples. Reciprocal IVF allows same-sex female couples to share the biological experience: one partner contributes the egg, the other carries the pregnancy. Both partners have a direct biological connection to the child.
Donor sperm programs. Donor sperm programs through partnerships with several sperm banks support female couples, single women, and patients using IUI or IVF with screened donor sperm.
Egg freezing and fertility preservation. Egg freezing allows patients to store eggs for future use, whether they are planning ahead, undergoing medical treatment that may affect fertility, or waiting for the right time to start their family.
The practice operates bilingually in English and Spanish across all three locations, and its commitment to diversity and inclusion includes no BMI-based limitations on care and dedicated support for LGBTQ+ family building.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many IVF cycles does New Jersey insurance cover?
New Jersey’s fertility insurance mandate requires group health plans covering 50 or more employees to cover up to four completed egg retrievals per lifetime. The law was expanded in 2024 to remove restrictions based on age, relationship status, and sexual orientation. Contact the practice’s Insurance Verification Specialist to confirm your plan’s eligibility.
What are the IVF success rates at Damien Fertility Partners?
According to 2023 SART data, the practice reported an 81.8% live-birth rate per new patient for women under 35 using their own eggs and a 61.4% rate for women aged 35 to 37. Full outcomes data across all age brackets is available through the SART clinic report and the practice’s success rates page. Clinic-to-clinic comparisons may not be meaningful due to differences in patient populations and treatment approaches.
How much does IVF cost in New Jersey?
IVF costs vary based on the treatment protocol, medication requirements, and whether additional services like genetic testing or donor gametes are involved. Damien Fertility Partners provides individualized cost estimates during the initial consultation. CapexMD financing is available with pre-approval within 24 hours.
How long does IVF take?
Ovarian stimulation takes approximately two weeks. For patients who proceed with a fresh transfer, the transfer occurs five days after retrieval, bringing the total to roughly three weeks. Patients using a freeze-all protocol should expect two to three months across the retrieval and transfer cycles, whether or not genetic testing is included.
Does Damien Fertility Partners offer services in Spanish?
Yes. The entire website and clinical staff operate bilingually in English and Spanish. Dr. Miguel Damien is fluent in Spanish, and the practice employs Spanish-speaking providers across all three locations.
What is CHLOE, and how does it work during IVF?
CHLOE is an AI-powered embryo monitoring system developed by Fairtility. It analyzes time-lapse imaging data from the embryoscopes used in the lab, tracking embryo development without disturbing the culture environment. It produces a developmental timeline that the care team shares with patients to support informed decisions about embryo selection. Learn more on the innovative technology page.
Schedule Your IVF Consultation in New Jersey
IVF is a significant decision, and the clinic you choose shapes every part of the experience. At Damien Fertility Partners, patients work with the same physician from the first consultation through retrieval and transfer.
The practice brings a CAP-accredited embryology lab with embryoscope incubators and AI-assisted embryo monitoring, in-house surgery, and bilingual care to three locations across New Jersey: Shrewsbury (Monmouth County), Newark (Essex County), and Jersey City (Hudson County). Virtual consultations are also available.
Request a consultation with Dr. Damien or Dr. Perlman to discuss your options and take the first step toward building your family.