As a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist, David B. Seifer, MD, sees himself as a liaison. His goal is to help his patients choose the right medical approach, while respecting their personal values.
“When I first meet with a couple or an individual, we talk. Over the course of an hour, I get an idea of their world view, how they envision their future and their hopes for a family,” Dr. Seifer says. “I then figure out how to apply the technology we have at our disposal to their individual needs. That might mean egg freezing for women who are concerned about future fertility but aren’t ready to conceive now. We also have egg donor and surrogate options for women of advanced maternal age or for same-sex couples.”
Dr. Seifer says he was drawn to the field of obstetrics and gynecology in medical school. “It was an epiphany when I realized how appreciative patients were,” he says. “To have someone let you into their life during such an important time, and to be able to make an impact, is such a joy.”
The dawn of in vitro fertilization (IVF) was occurring around the time Dr. Seifer completed his medical degree. “There was such excitement, like science fiction becoming a reality,” he says. “It’s a convergence of technology and biology, and I was excited to practice it and help build families.”
Plus, he enjoys working with patients who are as motivated as he is to reach a successful outcome. “Everybody is moving in the same direction,” says Dr. Seifer, who primarily sees patients in Yale Fertility Center’s Orange office, which he describes as a comfortable, calming place. “We take care of everything that may seem daunting in an efficient, relaxed way.”
Dr. Seifer’s research include the mechanisms of reproductive aging. In fact, his research led to a simple blood test used worldwide today that helps determine the health of a woman’s ovaries and a rough estimate of her egg count. He is also a past president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the primary, national organization that sets clinical and laboratory guidelines and standards for safety and quality metrics for the practice of IVF.
