Lesbian Couple Who Requested Female Embryo Sues New York IVF Clinic After They Got a Baby Boy

lesbian couple New York IVF Clinic IVF Clinic CNY Fertility Center Lesbian couple sues IVF clinic

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Mar 31, 10:52 am

Photo: (Photo : GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images)

A lesbian couple who asked for a female embryo is suing their IVF clinic in New York after they ended up having a baby boy. According to a report by the New York Post, Heather Wilhelm-Routenberg and her wife Robin Routenberg-Wilhelm both wanted a baby girl, as the former had been left traumatized after being sexually assaulted on two separate occasions.

Heather said that she did not want to have a boy because of the assaults she experienced and because of the socialization of boys. She explained that there is constant socialization of what it means to be a real man, saying, "People say, 'Oh, he's a boy, let him hit you,' and all the camouflage and guns don't help. It reinforces masculinity, and that's a reminder of the assaults every time."

The pair claimed that the CNY Fertility Center in Latham, New York told them that determining the baby's sex before the embryo was transferred into Heather was not a problem. Much to their shock, Heather and Robbie discovered that the former would deliver a baby boy instead when she was 15 months pregnant.

Lesbian couple sues CNY Fertility Center

Pink News reported that they are now suing the fertility clinic on 11 counts, including medical malpractice, breach of contract, and battery. After they found out she was carrying a boy, Heather said that an internal investigation commenced, taking seven weeks to determine whose embryo it was.

Heather added that she was convinced the whole time that the embryo was not theirs because the clinic knew their request to not transfer a male as it was a need and not a preference. According to Heather, she had no connection to the baby inside during the pregnancy as she thought she would be giving him away to his real parents after delivery.

Fertility clinic betrayed them with huge mistake

Heather said she was so furious with what transpired, feeling that what happened was a deep betrayal. She noted that CNY messed up something so integral, and the fact that there are no legal requirements about these IVF procedures should make parents fearful when using fertility services.

Heather claims she experienced post-natal depression after her son's birth in December 2020. She said that their baby is a year and a half, but she still thinks about the fertility clinic's mistake, according to a report by the Telegraph.

According to Heather, their baby is a lovely kid who smiles like Robbie and has her dimples, making this tough experience for them easier. Heather said their son does things to be funny and that he will use certain tones of voice and laughs to make his parents crack up. Heather said the young child is hilarious, and he has been an easy baby thus far.

That being said, Heather still believes the fertility clinic they put their trust into must pay for its negligence. She noted that CNY messed with something so integral, which is their baby's first formative years.