Two For The Price Of One

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 18th September, 2007

Two lesbians originally from Canberra have taken legal action against their doctor after they gave birth to twins instead of one child.

It’s the first case of its kind in this country. The couple, who have since moved to Melbourne, are taking Dr Robert Armellin to court, and are asking him to foot the bill for raising twin girls until they’re 21. While the couple’s combined income is over $100,000, they’ve got their hand out for more than $400,000.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the mother who gave birth to the two girls said that in 2003 the doctor implanted her with two embryos when she specifically told him minutes beforehand that she only wanted one.

The women, who cannot be named, appeared in the ACT Supreme Court today, saying that the birth mother suffered greatly during the pregnancy – she suffered nausea, and towards the end needed a walking stick to move around.

Apperently the women considered adopting one of the babies out, but couldn’t work out which one to choose.

What do you think? Is a lawsuit like this fair? Is a multiple birth a risk for any parent? Are there ever any guarantees? Or is this a case of medical negligence? Vote now in the forums.

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