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Rachel V Thomas

US Woman In Active Labor Forced to Face Court Over Refusal Of C-Section

In a disturbing case from the US state of Florida, a pregnant woman in active labor was forced to attend a virtual court hearing via Zoom from her hospital bed for refusing a Cesarean delivery, also known as C-section — a common method of childbirth.

ProPublica reported that Cherise Doyley was in her 12th hour of contractions at the University of Florida Health facility, when she was, without her consent, made to sit in front of a host of people — a judge in a black robe and several lawyers, doctors, and hospital staff — for the Zoom proceeding.

While in active labor, a nurse came in with a bedsheet and told her to cover up, and a supervisor followed with a tablet. 

“It’s a real judge in there?” Doyley asked the nurse at the beginning of what would be a three-hour hearing. 

The mother of three, and a professional birthing doula, Doyley had arrived at the facility after her water broke. 

While her doctors expressed concerns about the risk of uterine rupture —a potentially deadly complication for her and her baby — Doyley wanted to try for a vaginal delivery, as the risk was less than 2 percent, unless there was an emergency.

She told doctors she wouldn’t consent to a cesarean without trying to have a vaginal delivery first. 

While the doctors initially relented, after several hours, she had to face a virtual court hearing, where the hospital and state attorney’s office forced Doyley to undergo a cesarean section. 

Doyley has her own reasons to avoid a C-sec. She already had three prior C-sections, and one that resulted in a hemorrhage. She feared that a C-sec would lead to another serious complication and a lengthy recovery, and her kids would suffer.

However, the hospital was worried that her medical decisions may cause harm to the fetus, and that the courts may help decide which one mattered more, the report said. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/maternal-vaccination-during-pregnancy-can-prevent-covid-related-hospitalization-in-babies-study-article-153935157" data-type="tilCustomLink">Maternal Vaccination During Pregnancy Can Prevent COVID-related Hospitalization In Babies: Study</a>

After three hours of testimony — all while Doyley lay in her hospital bed — the judge ruled that she could keep laboring unless there was an emergency. If that happened, the hospital could operate, whether she wanted it or not. 

Overnight, doctors said the baby’s heart rate dropped for seven minutes. Doyley woke to her hospital bed being wheeled into surgery. The baby girl was delivered by C-section, the report said.

It is a surgical procedure that is used to deliver a baby through an incision made in the abdomen and uterus. 

The method is preferred, especially in cases with complications during labor or breech presentation, or multiple births.

Unlike the popular conception, it hurts. In a vaginal delivery, the pain is experienced during labor and pushing, especially if done without an epidural. 

Whereas, in a C-section, a surgery is performed that numbs the body from the chest down. However, the recovery could be painful and prolonged. It is also because in a C-section, it involves healing from a major abdominal surgery, while vaginal birth recovery may be quicker, more complicated, or traumatic.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/husband-stitch-a-medical-necessity-or-just-a-tool-to-objectify-womens-bodies-article-153917600" data-type="tilCustomLink">'Husband Stitch': A Medical Necessity Or Just A Tool To Objectify Women's Bodies?</a>

Usually, it does not harm the baby, but there could be potential risks to the baby, including: 

<ul><li>Surgical injury, which is very rare; however, the baby may be accidentally nicked during the incision.</li></ul><ul><li>Respiratory issues: Babies born via C-section may have a higher risk of breathing, since they miss the natural compression during the vaginal birth that helps expel the amniotic fluid from their lungs</li></ul><ul><li>Delayed bonding: Immediate skin-to-skin contact may take longer due to the surgical process.</li><li>Feeding challenges: Some newborns may initially struggle with breastfeeding.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Excessive blood loss </li><li>Infection </li><li>Blood clots in the legs, lungs, or pelvis </li><li>Damage to nearby organs </li><li>Adverse reactions to anesthesia </li></ul>

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises against elective C-sections due to these potential complications.

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In a disturbing case from the US state of Florida, a pregnant woman in active labor was forced to attend a virtual court hearing via Zoom from her hospital bed for refusing a Cesarean delivery, also known as C-section — a common method of childbirth.  ProPublica reported that Cherise Doyley was in her 12th hour of contractions at the University of Florida Health facility, when she was, without her consent, made to sit in front of a host of people — a judge in a black robe and several lawyers, doctors, and hospital staff — for the Zoom proceeding. While in active labor, a nurse came in with a bedsheet and told her to cover up, and a supervisor followed with a tablet. “It’s a real judge in there?” Doyley asked the nurse at the beginning of what would be a three-hour hearing. What Was The Case?The mother of three, and a professional birthing doula, Doyley had arrived at the facility after her water broke. While her doctors expressed concerns about the risk of uterine rupture —a potentially deadly complication for her and her baby — Doyley wanted to try for a vaginal delivery, as the risk was less than 2 percent, unless there was an emergency. She told doctors she wouldn’t consent to a cesarean without trying to have a vaginal delivery first. While the doctors initially relented, after several hours, she had to face a virtual court hearing, where the hospital and state attorney’s office forced Doyley to undergo a cesarean section.  Doyley has her own reasons to avoid a C-sec. She already had three prior C-sections, and one that resulted in a hemorrhage. She feared that a C-sec would lead to another serious complication and a lengthy recovery, and her kids would suffer. However, the hospital was worried that her medical decisions may cause harm to the fetus, and that the courts may help decide which one mattered more, the report said.  Also read: Maternal Vaccination During Pregnancy Can Prevent COVID-related Hospitalization In Babies: StudyAfter three hours of testimony — all while Doyley lay in her hospital bed — the judge ruled that she could keep laboring unless there was an emergency. If that happened, the hospital could operate, whether she wanted it or not. Overnight, doctors said the baby’s heart rate dropped for seven minutes. Doyley woke to her hospital bed being wheeled into surgery. The baby girl was delivered by C-section, the report said. What Happens In A C-section? It is a surgical procedure that is used to deliver a baby through an incision made in the abdomen and uterus. The method is preferred, especially in cases with complications during labor or breech presentation, or multiple births. Unlike the popular conception, it hurts. In a vaginal delivery, the pain is experienced during labor and pushing, especially if done without an epidural. Whereas, in a C-section, a surgery is performed that numbs the body from the chest down. However, the recovery could be painful and prolonged. It is also because in a C-section, it involves healing from a major abdominal surgery, while vaginal birth recovery may be quicker, more complicated, or traumatic. Also read: 'Husband Stitch': A Medical Necessity Or Just A Tool To Objectify Women's Bodies? Does A C-sec Affect The Baby? Usually, it does not harm the baby, but there could be potential risks to the baby, including: Surgical injury, which is very rare; however, the baby may be accidentally nicked during the incision.Respiratory issues: Babies born via C-section may have a higher risk of breathing, since they miss the natural compression during the vaginal birth that helps expel the amniotic fluid from their lungsDelayed bonding: Immediate skin-to-skin contact may take longer due to the surgical process.Feeding challenges: Some newborns may initially struggle with breastfeeding.Risks Of A C-section Birth? Excessive blood loss Infection Blood clots in the legs, lungs, or pelvis Damage to nearby organs Adverse reactions to anesthesia The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises against elective C-sections due to these potential complications.

us woman in active labor forced to face court over refusal of c-section

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US Woman In Active Labor Forced to Face Court Over Refusal Of C-Section

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