Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Florida judge ordered a laboring woman to undergo a fourth cesarean
In September 2024, Cherise Gordon-Doyley was in labor at a Jacksonville, Florida, hospital when a judge appeared on a tablet in her room.
Hospital staff had contacted state prosecutors, who asked for an emergency cesarean, saying it would reduce risks to Gordon-Doyley and her baby.
A judge heard the request by video while she was in labor, with lawyers and medical consultants on the call; she had no legal representative with her.
Gordon-Doyley had already had three cesareans, each followed by serious complications, and had told her care team she wanted to try vaginal birth.
She was later given a fourth cesarean, despite her stated preference.
The case drew public attention because it showed a court deciding on a pregnant patient’s treatment while she was in labor; the available account gives no further steps in the case.
A Florida judge ordered Cherise Gordon-Doyley to undergo a fourth cesarean while she was in labor in September 2024.
Gordon-Doyley had wanted a vaginal birth after three previous cesareans, which she said involved complications and difficult recoveries.
Hospital staff contacted the state prosecutor’s office, arguing that a cesarean would reduce risks to her and the baby.
A judge joined a remote hearing in her hospital room, where Gordon-Doyley had no legal representative.
Hours later, she underwent a fourth cesarean.
- Who
- Cherise Gordon-Doyley, a laboring woman, and Florida judge Michael Khalil.
- What
- A judge ordered her to undergo a fourth cesarean.
- When
- September 2024.
- Where
- A hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Why
- Hospital staff sought an emergency cesarean, arguing it would reduce risks and complications for Gordon-Doyley and her baby. Gordon-Doyley wanted a vaginal birth after three previous cesareans.
Cherise Gordon-Doyley
Hospital staff and the state prosecutor’s office
Birth plan
Cherise Gordon-Doyley
She wanted a vaginal birth and said she had considered the risks and benefits with her medical team.
Hospital staff and the state prosecutor’s office
The hospital staff sought a cesarean, arguing it would reduce risks and complications for her and the baby.
Gordon-Doyley was in labor for nine hours at a hospital in Jacksonville.
A remote hearing took place in her hospital room, with Judge Michael Khalil among the participants.
Gordon-Doyley underwent a fourth cesarean.
- Patient
- Cherise Gordon-Doyley
- Judge
- Michael Khalil
- Location
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Prior cesareans
- Three, all described by Gordon-Doyley as involving complications
- Time in labor before hearing
- Nine hours
- Outcome
- Fourth cesarean, performed hours after the hearing
What people are saying
I did not hear evidence or testimony, but based on the medical situation described in the application, the prosecutor’s office is requesting an emergency cesarean.
I had very difficult recoveries.
I had to be hospitalized again after each of the cesareans I had up to that point.