Pregnant Mom Faces Court Hearing During Labor

In September 2026, a pregnant woman named Cherise Doyley found herself in an extraordinary situation during labor at a Florida hospital. Doyley, a professional birthing doula, was in active labor when hospital staff presented her with a virtual court hearing on a tablet.

The hearing was related to her medical care, specifically concerns about a potential C-section. Doyley, having had previous C-sections with complications, understood her risk of uterine rupture to be low and initially wished to attempt a vaginal birth. She expressed her desire for care from a Black healthcare provider, citing statistical evidence on better outcomes for Black women with BIPOC providers.

The judge presiding over the virtual hearing stated race was not relevant, to which Doyley countered with historical data on healthcare disparities. Ultimately, the judge ruled that the hospital could proceed with a C-section without Doyley's consent if an emergency arose.

Later that night, medical professionals determined the baby's heart rate had dropped significantly. Doyley was rushed into an emergency C-section, delivering her daughter safely before the infant was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit. Doyley later described the experience of having a court order used to pressure her into a medical procedure as akin to torture.