Brisbane mother gives birth to twins after two sets of quads

An Australian fertility expert has criticised the medical system for helping a Brisbane mother to have 12 babies, with many conceived using fertility treatment.

Dale Chalker, who has sold her story to a women's magazine, is in hospital after giving birth to twins.

She has already had two other single pregnancies and two sets of quads, but one of the children died.

Dr David Molloy, from the Queensland Fertility Group, says Mrs Chalk received a low level of fertility treatment to conceive both sets of quads, but she did not receive treatment to conceive the twins.

He says the clinic has changed its policies since the two sets of quads were conceived to avoid the dangers of multiple pregnancies.

But he says people have a right to have a large family if they want one.

"It's very hard for clinics when patients come to us for treatment," he said.

"We try to give them the same set of rights that people have out in the community."

Professor Robert Norman from the University of Adelaide's obstetrics and gynaecology department says the fertility industry strongly recommends a one-child pregnancy.

"Our guidelines on multiple pregnancy mirror a worldwide trend to reduce the number of babies people are having at any one time," he said.

"So we've got a philosophy in fertility treatment in Australia that you can have as many babies as you like, but they should be one at a time."

(Edit:Ruby)