IVF Near Toms River, NJ | Damien Fertility Partners
Toms River is the seat of Ocean County and one of the largest communities in New Jersey, with a population approaching 100,000. It is the center of a county that has grown by over 4% in recent years and now has a population exceeding 637,000.
Ocean County’s fertility options, however, have not kept pace with that growth. There are very few IVF practices with a physical presence in the county, and the ones that exist may not offer the physician continuity, lab technology, or care model that distinguishes one IVF experience from another.
Damien Fertility Partners was the first successful IVF program established in both Monmouth and Ocean County, founded in 1989 as East Coast IVF. The practice is headquartered at 655 Shrewsbury Avenue, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702, approximately 35 minutes north of Toms River via the Garden State Parkway. Request an appointment online to get started.
Why Toms River Patients Drive for the Right IVF Clinic
The drive from Toms River to Shrewsbury takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic and the route taken. That is longer than the commute patients in Red Bank or Middletown make. But for a treatment as involved as IVF, the structure of the clinic matters more than the distance on the map.
An IVF cycle involves 8 to 10 clinic visits over three to four weeks. Most monitoring appointments are brief, though patients should account for wait time when planning around their workday.
The difference between a clinic where the same doctor sees you at every visit and one where you rotate through whoever is available that morning is not a minor detail when medication adjustments, trigger timing, and retrieval decisions are being made in real time based on each patient’s specific response.
Patients across Ocean County, including Toms River, Brick, Lakewood, Jackson, Point Pleasant, and Barnegat, have come to Damien Fertility Partners since 1989.
What IVF Looks Like at Damien Fertility Partners
The IVF protocol follows standard clinical steps: ovarian stimulation with injectable medications over 10 to 14 days, egg retrieval under anesthesia (approximately 30 minutes), embryo culture in the lab through day 7, and embryo transfer.
Physician continuity. The cycle is managed by either Dr. Miguel Damien, a Harvard-trained, board-certified REI with over 35 years of experience, or Dr. Barry Perlman, a board-certified REI, Fellow of ACOG, and published researcher on endocrine disruptors and fertility. Dr. Perlman also offers virtual consultations for patients who want a first conversation before visiting in person.
The embryology lab. The lab holds accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the FDA, and the NJ State Department of Health, all with zero deficiencies. It uses CHLOE, an AI-powered embryo-monitoring system by Fairtility, which continuously tracks embryo development inside the incubator without disturbing the culture environment and produces a developmental timeline for patients to review with their physician.
In 2023, the practice reported an 81.8% live-birth rate per new patient among women under 35 and a 100% elective single-embryo transfer rate in that age group, according to SART data. Clinic-to-clinic comparisons should be interpreted with caution due to differences in patient populations.
In-house surgery. Dr. Nina Seigelstein, a board-certified OB/GYN specializing in minimally invasive surgery, is part of the clinical team. Patients who need surgical evaluation before IVF are not referred to an outside provider. Procedures are performed at affiliated facilities, including Riverview Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center.
Services Beyond IVF
The Shrewsbury office provides IUI, IVF with fresh and frozen transfers, donor egg IVF, donor sperm programs, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), egg freezing using vitrification, gestational carrier IVF, family balancing, and LGBTQ+ family building, including reciprocal IVF.
Insurance and Financing
New Jersey’s fertility insurance mandate requires qualifying group health plans covering 50 or more employees to cover up to four completed egg retrievals per lifetime. The 2024 expansion removed restrictions based on age, relationship status, and sexual orientation.
Damien Fertility Partners works with most insurance carriers and employs a dedicated bilingual Insurance Verification Specialist. CapexMD financing is available for patients who need it, with pre-approval within 24 hours.
Medication discount programs through EMD Serono’s Compassionate Care Program (25 to 75% savings for eligible self-pay patients) and Merck’s Reuniterx program are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Damien Fertility Partners from Toms River?
The Shrewsbury office is approximately 35 minutes north of Toms River via the Garden State Parkway or Route 9. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, with on-site parking.
Was Damien Fertility Partners the first IVF program in Ocean County?
Yes. The practice was founded in 1989 as East Coast IVF and was the first successful IVF program in both Monmouth and Ocean County. It has operated continuously from its Shrewsbury headquarters for more than 35 years.
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, a 100% elective single-embryo transfer rate in that age group, and 660 total cycles. Full data is available through the SART clinic report. Clinic-to-clinic comparisons should be interpreted with caution due to differences in patient populations.
Can I do my initial consultation virtually?
Yes. Dr. Barry Perlman offers virtual consultations for patients who want a first conversation before visiting the Shrewsbury office in person. This is useful for Toms River patients who want to discuss their situation and options before committing to the drive.
Does Damien Fertility Partners accept insurance?
Yes. The practice works with most insurance carriers. New Jersey’s fertility mandate covers up to four egg retrievals per lifetime for qualifying group plans. A bilingual Insurance Verification Specialist confirms coverage before treatment. Financing through CapexMD is also available.
The IVF Practice Ocean County Has Trusted Since 1989
Toms River patients who are serious about IVF outcomes understand that the clinic closest to home is not always the one that will provide the best care. Damien Fertility Partners has been serving Ocean County families since before most of its current competitors opened their doors. The practice offers physician continuity, a CAP-accredited lab with AI-assisted embryo monitoring, and in-house surgery. The drive is 35 minutes. The relationship with the physician lasts the entire treatment.
Request a consultation with Dr. Damien or Dr. Perlman, or visit damienfertilitypartners.com to schedule your first appointment.