Lesbian couple suing doctor over ivf twins

[Julie]

A LESBIAN couple from Melbourne is suing a doctor after one of them gave birth to twins instead of one child.

In the first case of its kind in Australia, the couple, who now live in Melbourne, are suing Canberra Dr Robert Armellin for more than $400,000 to cover the cost of raising one of the twin girls until the age of 21.

The birth mother of the girls, who are now aged three, claims Dr Armellin implanted her with two embryos, when she told him minutes before the IVF procedure in November 2003 that she only wanted one.

The women, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the ACT Supreme Court today the mother suffered nausea during her pregnancy and in the latter stages could only move around with a walking stick.

She said she and her partner briefly considered adopting out one of the girls but dismissed the idea.

"You thought: `Which one am I not meant to have'?" Dr Armellin's barrister Kim Burke asked.

"Yes, I did," the woman replied.

She said adopting out one child would be unfair to both girls.

"The primary consideration was that adoption shifted the burden of responsibility for this situation onto the children," she said.

"The burden is not the children's to bear. The burden is ours alone."

The woman said she enjoyed some aspects of the pregnancy, such as decorating the girls' nursery, but other parts were distressing, including purchasing a pram.

"It was like the last frontier of acceptance to spend hundreds of dollars on a pram," she said.

The couple, whose combine income exceeds $100,000, are seeking $398,000 to cover the costs of raising one of the girls, including private school fees.

They also want around $15,000 to compensate them for time off work, plus an additional amount for medical expenses.

The case is the first of its kind in Australia, Ms Burke said.

There have been two other similar cases in the United Kingdom, where the names of the plaintiffs have also been suppressed.

The civil hearing before Justice Annabel Bennett continues.

So what does everyone think about this? and what do you guys think about IVF for lesbians in general? I think its absolutely disgusting. The lesbian couple involved should be happy to have any children. To fall pregnant from ivf is a blessing and twins should be a double blessing. What ingrateful money hungry bitches. Furthermore I strongly oppose IVF for lesbian couples, I think IVF should be reserved strictly for women and their male partners who have a medical condition that prevents them from concieving naturally not for women who choose not to conieve with a male.

[minux]

I think this is a joke. They are basing this argument on a verbal agreement between the Dr and themselves. When they sign the IVF treatment paperwork it states that a maximum of 2 embryos will be implanted. They signed this paperwork.

I am with you also, i do not believe that people like this should be allowed IVF, if they want children, they should have to get them the same normal everyday couples do (sex with an opposite partner in case you are too daft ).

These morons are the exact reason our country is going to ****. What hope do our children have when they see adults doing this kind of stupid thing.

These braindead carpet lickers should be grateful that they were graced with 2 children. We have family friends that after 20 years were unable to have ANY.

[impulsesv6]

i think the judge should dismiss it, they arent broke cos of the 2nd baby.

i second your opinion

[1vngal]

So what does everyone think about this? and what do you guys think about IVF for lesbians in general? I think its absolutely disgusting. The lesbian couple involved should be happy to have any children. To fall pregnant from ivf is a blessing and twins should be a double blessing. What ingrateful money hungry bitches. Furthermore I strongly oppose IVF for lesbian couples, I think IVF should be reserved strictly for women and their male partners who have a medical condition that prevents them from concieving naturally not for women who choose not to conieve with a male.

I agree with the money hungry bitches part. As for IVF for lesbian couples, it's not really something I have thought about to form an opinion, so I won't really comment on that.

I thought it was standard proceedure to implant more than 1 embryo to give a better chance at conceiving? but, I s'pose it does work in their favour that she did request only one embryo to be implanted, but I didn't think that was allowed. I thought IVF involved 2 being implanted, regardless. But none the less, you'd think they'd be pleased for twins. I think they're seeing nothing more than $$.

[AttaBoy]

Minux pretty much sums it all up!! Totally agree.

[hingo1983]

I think this is a joke. They are basing this argument on a verbal agreement between the Dr and themselves. When they sign the IVF treatment paperwork it states that a maximum of 2 embryos will be implanted. They signed this paperwork.

I am with you also, i do not believe that people like this should be allowed IVF, if they want children, they should have to get them the same normal everyday couples do (sex with an opposite partner in case you are too daft ).

These morons are the exact reason our country is going to ****. What hope do our children have when they see adults doing this kind of stupid thing.

These braindead carpet lickers should be grateful that they were graced with 2 children. We have family friends that after 20 years were unable to have ANY.

This is exactly my thoughts. Being a Canberran, I already expressed this over at The RiotACT

Most people agree that it is ridiculous. 99% of mothers would be overjoyed. I fail to see why it is so tragic for this particular couple. Babies aren't made on a production line, there are many variables to take into account.

[calais_304]

that is bloody disgusting! im not going to comment further cuz it will only result in a ban, but i will say lesbian couples should be banned from getting ivf.

[crawfy]

if they are so upset about having two children they shouldn't have any.

nature dosent always go as one desires and it never should. In the case of IVF it should only be used in the case of opposite-sex couples who are unable to convcieve a child normally.

a normal mother would be overjoyed with her children, the fact they are upset with having two is disgusting, as in the child was only intended as a play thing or, godforbid, a fashion accessory. poor kids

[*VN88*]

I think that some people only see the $$$ at the end of tunnel, and to use a kid to get that $ is wrong. they have a combined income of over $100,000 and they want private school fee's as well. they should be more than greatfull they got 2 for the price of 1, im a stay at home dad with 1 child and we live off my partner's income and that aint even half of what they get. These 2 woman need a Phsyc not $$$.

[vt1538]

I wonder if any other mother could sue for the distress of buying a pram. Oh wait, she felt nauseous during her pregnancy as well.
What a crock. Those two need to harden up.

[Shounak]

I think it's an abomination that same sex couples are allowed to have/raise kids. They shouldn't even be allowed near animals. Just kidding, but seriously, if they want kids, marry an opposite sex partner and reproduce all you want.

Not having kids is a trade off for your life choices.

[calais_304]

What a crock. Those two minge munchers need to harden the fcuk up.

lol wheres chopper when you need him

[Grennan]

The women, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the ACT Supreme Court today the mother suffered nausea during her pregnancy and in the latter stages could only move around with a walking stick.

What do these women think every other pregnant woman goes through?

Does this mean that every woman that gets pregnant with twins, expecting only one can sue the guy? What are the kids going to think when they get to an age where they can understand what has happened. "Oh there was only meant to be one of you" Having twins is supposed to be joyous. This is rediculous, anything to get a buck.

[Reaper]

So what does everyone think about this? and what do you guys think about IVF for lesbians in general? I think its absolutely disgusting. The lesbian couple involved should be happy to have any children. To fall pregnant from ivf is a blessing and twins should be a double blessing. What ingrateful money hungry bitches. Furthermore I strongly oppose IVF for lesbian couples, I think IVF should be reserved strictly for women and their male partners who have a medical condition that prevents them from concieving naturally not for women who choose not to conieve with a male.

Ok - I'm going to sound old again but so be it.

Totally agree with you Julie - I don't think any non male/female couple should be on the program to begin with. They are welcome to their lifestyle and unfortunately one of the consequences of that is the in-ability to have kids.

However since they were admitted to the IVF program there isn't much that can be done now. From my (very limited) knowledge of IVF, I understand it is normal practice to implant 2 embryos. Many many couples do this over and over only to be heartbroken (and a lot poorer). My ex had a very good friend who repeatedly failed to conceive and in the end it wrecked their marriage and left them financially buggered. For these 2 to now be suing after receiving 2 of the greatest gifts they could ever hope (especially in light of my previous sentences) for is disgusting.

Reaper

[Stupa]

I think its time to get some quacks crackin' on finding a cure for this homosexual thing

[AttaBoy]

I think its time to get some quacks crackin' on finding a cure for this homosexual thing

In 20 years time, every second person you see is a homo

[badaz]

I have lesbian friends that have twins (not these 2) they had IVF, were looking for 1 but got 2 and couldnt be happer. I worked with them for 4 years and they were great girls the kids are very heathy have heaps of males around them. These 2 in the article are just after money thats all.
My wife was taking little tabs to stop having kids but i still got 2 should i sue too.

[mar-d-mac]

these two aren't deserving of having kids if the thought was to adopt one, sue a doctor to raise and send to private school, jesus H Ch**t, (for those religious, sorry), but come on the Justice system, get some balls and throw it out....

a couple of bloody sooks, how dare they whinge over having one more child than planned....i've got friends who went through years of IVF and now have 3 beautiful children of whom i am their god parent and proud of it...

that is mother nature, it just happens...maybe they should have thought about adopting ONE child in the first place....oh, no they didn't probably because they wouldn't have been able to sue any one....

get a F***en life and be bloody grateful u were given a chance so many other ppl out there cannot have....

[Troy711]

these 2 idiots should just be thankful that they live in an age where medical technology is so advanced people like them are able to have children. 200 years ago they would probably have been put to death if they were found out to be a same sex couple.

if the women happen to read this.. get a life, be thankful for what you have and stop looking for cheap easy ways to make money.

[Sabbath']

I think its bloody disgraceful. Its their life choice not to be with men, so they should take every aspect of that. Which means no children.

My parents struggled for 8 years, with 3 stillborns before they had me, you see what some people have to go through to have kids, and then these arseclowns just want kids as a lifestyle accesory and then COMPLAIN...gets my blood boiling.

[totq]

Sounds like americanised-litigation (this is the first case of its kind in Aust)

Perhaps the doctor should counter-sue them for being lesbians and wasting his time....

They also claimed they subsequently lost "ability to love" after discovering there is two instead of one baby...

Unfortunately though, the doctor is honest enough to admit two embryos were "mistakenly inserted".....

[stocky]

wonder how the kids gonna feel when it grows up. sure some kids are mistakes, but imagine if a doctor got sued because you were born. way to make them feel loved.

that kid is gonna have a **** life. living with two mums is bad enough, but also knowing that they went to court because they didnt want the kid is even worse

[AttaBoy]

wonder how the kids gonna feel when it grows up. sure some kids are mistakes, but imagine if a doctor got sued because you were born. way to make them feel loved.

that kid is gonna have a **** life. living with two mums is bad enough, but also knowing that they went to court because they didnt want the kid is even worse

And yet they might not be able get a commodore or afford a car.

I really don't know why I said that, its not even relevant... Lol....

[adam69]

Now i agree with everybody being annoyed with this issue.I think its damn wrong what they are doing.However i dont agree with the names being used instead of the word lesbian.I think mods need to address this ASAP before it gets out of hand.

[Sabbath']

Now i agree with everybody being annoyed with this issue.I think its damn wrong what they are doing.However i dont agree with the names being used instead of the word lesbian.I think mods need to address this ASAP before it gets out of hand.

Ok...they shorten (listening to the radio) "Heterosexual" to "Hetero's". So clearly, they're "Homo's"