Question 1

Does PREG offer egg donation for IVF treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, PREG provides a robust egg donation program for IVF cycles. Patients can choose from in‑house donor eggs, which are sourced from screened donors in their 20s and early 30s, or from major frozen donor egg banks. The clinic’s donor egg IVF options include fresh and frozen eggs, and both unidentified and directed donor arrangements are available. All donors undergo extensive health, genetic, and infectious‑disease screening in compliance with FDA regulations. PREG’s third‑party reproduction coordinators guide patients through every step, from donor selection to embryo transfer, ensuring a seamless experience for those seeking donor eggs to achieve a successful pregnancy.

Question 2

Who are the fertility doctors and specialists at PREG?

Accepted Answer

PREG’s medical team includes a roster of fellowship‑trained reproductive endocrinologists and infertility specialists. Founder and Medical Director Dr. John E. Nichols leads the practice, bringing board certifications in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. Dr. John F. Payne serves as Director of Third‑Party Reproduction, while Dr. Travis W. McCoy oversees surgery and male infertility. Dr. Edward D. Tarnawa is Medical Director for the Summerville and Mount Pleasant sites, and Dr. Kathryn Imgrund specializes in advanced gynecologic surgery and infertility. Additional specialists include Dr. Ahmad H. Arabi, Dr. J. Graham Theisen, Dr. Lauren Rouleau, and Dr. Tarek K. Khader. Laboratory operations are directed by Dr. Jing Chen, PhD, who leads a team of embryologists with nearly 90 years of combined experience. This multidisciplinary group of fertility specialists ensures comprehensive care for every patient.

Question 3

Does PREG provide fertility treatment for same-sex couples?

Accepted Answer

PREG is committed to serving LGBTQ+ families and offers comprehensive fertility treatment for same‑sex couples. Services include donor sperm IUI and IVF for male couples, as well as donor egg IVF, embryo donation, and gestational carrier coordination for female couples and single men. The clinic’s specialized third‑party reproduction coordinators facilitate legal counseling, donor matching, and surrogacy arrangements. PREG’s inclusive policies and experienced reproductive endocrinologists ensure that same‑sex partners receive personalized, compassionate care throughout the assisted reproduction process.

Question 4

Does PREG treat single women seeking fertility treatment?

Accepted Answer

PREG welcomes single women who wish to pursue fertility treatment. The clinic offers a full range of options tailored to solo patients, including IVF with donor eggs, IUI with donor sperm, and egg freezing for future use. Dedicated treatment coordinators provide personalized counseling, and the third‑party reproduction team assists with donor selection and legal considerations. PREG’s inclusive environment ensures that single women receive the same high‑quality assisted reproduction care as couples, with support services such as emotional counseling and financial planning available throughout the journey.

Question 5

What IVF laboratory technology does PREG use?

Accepted Answer

PREG operates three state‑of‑the‑art IVF laboratories located in Greenville, Columbia, and Summerville, each fully accredited and staffed by experienced embryologists. The labs are overseen by Dr. Jing Chen, PhD, a board‑certified laboratory director with a background in reproductive physiology and extensive research publications. Advanced technologies include time‑lapse embryo monitoring, vitrification for egg and embryo cryopreservation, and comprehensive quality‑control protocols that meet the highest industry standards. The embryology team holds PhDs and master’s degrees, ensuring precise culture conditions and accurate embryo grading. These cutting‑edge laboratory capabilities support high implantation and pregnancy rates for IVF and related assisted reproduction cycles.

Question 6

What fertility treatments and services does PREG offer?

Accepted Answer

PREG provides a full spectrum of fertility treatments and services designed for individualized care. Core offerings include in vitro fertilization (IVF) with options such as ICSI, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT‑A and PGT‑M), and blastocyst embryo transfer. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is available for couples with mild male factor or ovulatory issues. The clinic also offers egg freezing and fertility preservation for cancer patients (oncofertility), as well as comprehensive third‑party reproduction programs that encompass donor egg IVF, donor sperm utilization, embryo donation, and gestational carrier coordination. Additional services include hormonal optimization, minimally invasive surgery for endometriosis and fibroids, and counseling support for LGBTQ+ families. PREG’s integrated approach ensures that each patient receives the most appropriate assisted reproduction strategy.

Question 7

What are the IVF success rates at PREG?

Accepted Answer

PREG closely monitors IVF outcomes and reports them annually in compliance with federal regulations. The clinic’s pregnancy rates consistently rank among the highest in the Carolinas, earning a Center of Excellence designation from leading insurance carriers. While exact percentages are not publicly disclosed, the program’s success is reflected in the large number of live births reported across its three accredited IVF laboratories. Patients benefit from individualized embryo transfer protocols, including blastocyst-stage transfers, which further enhance implantation chances. The combination of advanced laboratory technology, experienced embryologists, and a personalized approach to in vitro fertilization contributes to the clinic’s strong assisted reproduction track record.

Question 8

What is the history and background of PREG?

Accepted Answer

Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group (PREG) was founded in 2003 by Dr. John E. Nichols, a board‑certified reproductive endocrinologist. Over the past 22 years, the network has grown into the largest fertility clinic system in the Carolinas, with six patient‑care locations and three comprehensive IVF laboratories. Collectively, the physicians and staff contribute more than 90 years of combined expertise in reproductive medicine and surgery. PREG has been recognized as a Center of Excellence by major insurance carriers and maintains accreditation for all its laboratories. The clinic’s mission centers on personalized, patient‑focused care, and its history reflects a commitment to advancing fertility treatment through research, education, and innovative assisted reproduction technologies.

Question 9

What is the maximum age for IVF treatment at PREG?

Accepted Answer

PREG sets a clear age guideline for donor‑egg IVF cycles: patients must be 51 years of age or younger to be eligible as a recipient. For autologous IVF cycles using a patient’s own eggs, the clinic follows individualized medical assessments, typically considering patients up to age 45 for optimal outcomes, though exceptions may be made based on ovarian reserve and overall health. These age policies are designed to balance safety, success rates, and the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy, and they are applied consistently across all PREG locations.

Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group - Columbia

About Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group - Columbia

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