Woman sues doctor for twin pregnancy

MELBOURNE: An Australian woman who underwent in-vitro fertilization has sued her doctor after she gave birth to twins instead of a single baby, claiming more than $332,000 for the cost of raising the second child till the age of 21.

Testifying before the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory on Tuesday, the teary 40-year-old mother said she told Dr Robert Armellin she wanted only one child in November 2003.

But an embryologist under the doctor's supervision implanted two embryos, resulting in the birth of non-identical twins.

The woman said she and her partner were 'devastated' by the unplanned double birth and even considered putting one baby up for adoption.

"I remember sitting on the couch and feeling devastated, absolutely devastated," the unidentified woman said.

The couple also had to undergo relationship counseling for 18 months because of the strain caused by the event.
   
"We argued and we had a terrible time with the stress of what we had expected to be a time of great joy," she told the court, the Canberra Times reported.

Dr Armellin's lawyer told the court that her client admitted being told by the birth mother that she only wanted one embryo implanted, but this did not amount to negligence.

Apart from demanding the cost of raising a child, the mother is claiming around $14,197 for lost earnings as a result of an extra two months' maternity leave, and for the physical problems and medical expenses incurred as a result of carrying twins.