Southeastern Fertility Center (SEFC) initiated its In-vitro fertilization
(IVF) program in 1984. The first pregnancy was achieved that year
and this child was born November 20, 1984. This pregnancy marked
not only the first IVF conception of Southeastern Fertility Center,
but also the first IVF baby in South Carolina.
In the late 1980s SEFC achieved success with the newly developed
GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer) procedure, which became
an important part of its success until 1993. ZIFT (Zygote Intrafallopian
Transfer) was also popular at that time and provided the additional
advantage of verifying fertilization prior to transfer of the
embryo to the fallopian tube. SEFC has since developed a transcervical
transfer technique (now known as IVF) that markedly simplified
the GIFT and ZIFT procedure and eliminated the need for laparoscopy.
 Since 1994 SEFC has focused on IVF and its specialized components, including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which has revolutionized treatment of male factor infertility. In our continuing effort to provide state of the art infertility treatment, SEFC has been a pioneer in the utilization of blastocyst transfer that has resulted in significant success with the transfer of two blastocysts as well as blastocyst freezing and subsequent embryo transfer. This has allowed us to improve our pregnancy rates while simultaneously lowering the chances of multiple pregnancies. SEFC has been a member of the national organization of IVF programs, The Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) since its inception.
Southeastern Fertility Center is also recognized as a leader in Donor Egg Technologies. We have a large donor oocyte program that combines the latest ovarian stimulation and endometrial preparation protocols with blastocyst culture and transfer techniques to maximize pregnancy rates and minimize multiple pregnancies. We also have the ability to lower costs by utilizing split cycles. We are the proud sponsors of the annual Donor Oocyte Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. Leaders in our field from all over the world have been attending our meeting. Please check out the ART of Donor Oocyte web site at www.donoreggmeeting.com.
South
Carolina's
First IVF Baby Years Later
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More recently SEFC has expanded into the area of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and ovarian transplantation to help women with malignant diseases avoid premature ovarian failure, which is a common side effect of chemotherapy. The process involves removing and freezing pieces of ovarian tissue prior to chemotherapy. After chemotherapy the ovarian tissue can be transplanted back helping to restore ovarian function. This program was developed by Dr. John Schnorr and has been approved by the Investigational Review Board at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Schnorr's work in ovarian tissue cryopreservation and ovarian transplantation was awarded the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's highest award, "General Program Prize Paper" in San Diego, California, October 2000 and was published in Human Reproduction, January 2002.
We proudly encourage you to review our web site, pregnancy rates and our facility. We have already helped thousands of infertile couples and would love to help you too. Dreams can come true!
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