She was in active labor and refused a C-section. The hospital took her to court.

Childbirth often goes differently than planned, but a Florida woman faced something truly unexpected while she was in labor: a virtual court hearing.

In September 2024, Cherise Doyley, a professional birthing doula and pregnant mother of three, arrived at the University of Florida Health Hospital in active labor, according to reports from People and ProPublica.

Doyley's plan was to try for a vaginal birth, the reports said, but staff were concerned about the risk of uterine rupture and suggested she give birth via C-section. USA TODAY has reached out to the hospital for comment.

Uterine rupture is a rare but "serious complication where the uterus tears or breaks open," Cleveland Clinic explains, adding it’s most common in those who’ve had a previous cesarean section then try for a vaginal delivery.

"In people who’ve had one cesarean delivery, it happens in about 1 in 300 deliveries. Among people who’ve had more than one C-section, uterine rupture is more common, affecting up to 9 in 300 deliveries," the clinic notes.