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]

Originally Posted by Julie

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by vt1538

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

lol wheres chopper when you need him