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Designed with safety in mind
We are proud to support patients on their paths to parenthood through advanced reproductive technology and personalized care. Our IVF laboratory is central to that work, bringing together experienced embryology professionals, stringent laboratory protocols, and a steadfast commitment to the patients who trust us with their care.
In our IVF lab, every detail is designed with safety and specimen protection in mind. From rigorous quality standards to the latest approaches in fertility care, our laboratory is equipped to support the personalized treatment plan created for each patient.
Great care requires a great lab
The IVF laboratory is an important component of your treatment. After egg retrieval, they're transferred to the lab, where they can be fertilized or frozen unfertilized for later use. As embryos develop, our embryology team carefully monitors their progress and identifies those with the highest chance of success.
In IVF, what happens behind the scenes is just as important as the treatment itself. Our laboratory is designed around precise environmental controls and rigorous handling procedures, including air quality, temperature regulation, specimen identification, and secure long-term cryostorage. Together, these protocols help protect specimens throughout every stage of care.
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Security from start to finish
At every stage of IVF, our laboratory team takes a meticulous approach to protecting eggs, sperm, embryos, and testicular tissue.
FCOC uses a multilayered system of safety and security measures rather than relying on a single safeguard. Our protocols are designed to provide multiple points of protection and are carried out with consistency, precision, and attention to detail.
When outside partners are involved in services such as specimen transportation or off-site storage, we hold them to the same high standards. Each partner is carefully selected to ensure their practices align with FCOC's expectations for security, quality, and patient care.
Our laboratory follows rigorous identification and witnessing procedures to help ensure that eggs, sperm, embryos, and testicular tissue are accurately identified and tracked throughout every stage of treatment.
FCOC uses electronic witnessing technology to create a continuous visual record of laboratory procedures. If electronic witnessing is not available, our team follows a manual witnessing process involving two laboratory employees.
Eggs, sperm, and embryos that have been frozen for future use are kept in specialized cryogenic storage tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. The extremely low temperatures created by this system allow specimens to remain safely preserved over time.
We use multiple layers of monitoring to protect specimens in cryostorage. In addition to the monitoring built into each tank, FCOC also uses Boreas monitoring, a weight-based technology that measures liquid nitrogen levels within the tanks. Because it detects changes in the weight of nitrogen as it transitions from liquid to vapor, the system can provide up to 84 hours of advance notice of changing nitrogen levels—an advantage over temperature-based monitoring alone.
A separate, redundant cryostorage monitoring system provides an additional safeguard should the primary monitoring system become unavailable.
Embryos are particularly sensitive to environmental conditions, making the design and operation of an IVF laboratory different from that of a standard clinical setting.
At FCOC, our laboratory has a dedicated HVAC system designed to help control air quality, airborne particles, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By maintaining a carefully regulated environment, these systems help create consistent conditions for both laboratory operations and the specimens in our care.
IVF laboratory equipment must remain operational even if there is an unexpected power outage. FCOC uses multiple layers of backup power, including generators and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery systems, to help maintain continuous operation of essential equipment.
Our generator systems undergo regular testing, with testing and maintenance records documented as part of our laboratory protocols and requirements.
Your privacy and information security are important to us. FCOC follows rigorous data protection practices designed to safeguard both patient information and laboratory data.
Laboratory safety includes being prepared for emergencies and other unforeseen events. FCOC maintains detailed response protocols for situations such as fires, earthquakes, and other circumstances that could affect laboratory operations. When the unexpected happens, we're prepared to take action quickly.
Our laboratory follows rigorous identification and witnessing procedures to help ensure that eggs, sperm, embryos, and testicular tissue are accurately identified and tracked throughout every stage of treatment.
FCOC uses electronic witnessing technology to create a continuous visual record of laboratory procedures. If electronic witnessing is not available, our team follows a manual witnessing process involving two laboratory employees.
Eggs, sperm, and embryos that have been frozen for future use are kept in specialized cryogenic storage tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. The extremely low temperatures created by this system allow specimens to remain safely preserved over time.
We use multiple layers of monitoring to protect specimens in cryostorage. In addition to the monitoring built into each tank, FCOC also uses Boreas monitoring, a weight-based technology that measures liquid nitrogen levels within the tanks. Because it detects changes in the weight of nitrogen as it transitions from liquid to vapor, the system can provide up to 84 hours of advance notice of changing nitrogen levels—an advantage over temperature-based monitoring alone.
A separate, redundant cryostorage monitoring system provides an additional safeguard should the primary monitoring system become unavailable.
Embryos are particularly sensitive to environmental conditions, making the design and operation of an IVF laboratory different from that of a standard clinical setting.
At FCOC, our laboratory has a dedicated HVAC system designed to help control air quality, airborne particles, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By maintaining a carefully regulated environment, these systems help create consistent conditions for both laboratory operations and the specimens in our care.
IVF laboratory equipment must remain operational even if there is an unexpected power outage. FCOC uses multiple layers of backup power, including generators and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) battery systems, to help maintain continuous operation of essential equipment.
Our generator systems undergo regular testing, with testing and maintenance records documented as part of our laboratory protocols and requirements.
Your privacy and information security are important to us. FCOC follows rigorous data protection practices designed to safeguard both patient information and laboratory data.
Laboratory safety includes being prepared for emergencies and other unforeseen events. FCOC maintains detailed response protocols for situations such as fires, earthquakes, and other circumstances that could affect laboratory operations. When the unexpected happens, we're prepared to take action quickly.
Accreditations and certifications
_1EVDvK.webp "FDA Registration for Reproductive Partners Medical Group")
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_2dg7lp.webp "College of American Pathologists Accredited Logo for Reproductive Partners Medical Group")
_Z3oGIC.webp "REI Protect Seal of Approval for Reproductive Partners Medical Group")
_oRSzY.webp "RPMG lab director Mitchel Schiewe")
Led by Mitchel Schiewe, PhD.
FCOC's IVF lab is led by Mitchel C. Schiewe, M.S., Ph.D., a respected laboratory director, reproductive scientist, and applied embryologist with decades of experience in assisted reproductive technology.
Dr. Schiewe has contributed to research and clinical progress in areas including ICSI, embryo development, cryopreservation, vitrification, and laboratory quality practices. He has served as an author or co-author on 40+ peer-reviewed papers
His leadership reflects FCOC's commitment to scientific excellence, laboratory rigor, and continuous improvement in fertility care.