Florida mum Jennifer Goodall has had three caesarean sections. However, she would like to give birth to her next baby naturally if she can.
 
The National Advocates for Pregnant Women issued a press release about the letter she received which stated that “because she decided to have a trial of labour before agreeing to caesarean surgery, her prenatal care providers intended to report her to the Department of Children and Family Services, seek a court order to perform surgery, and to perform caesarean surgery on her 'with or without [her] consent' if she came to the hospital.”
 
A trial of labour is an attempt to give birth after one or more caesarean sections, however, Jennifer has stressed that she will definitely have a caesarean section if “there were any indication during labour that it is necessary.”
 
In a statement obtained by the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Jennifer said:
 
“My decision to allow labour to proceed before consenting to a surgical intervention is based on years of research, careful consideration of the risks to me and my baby, and my family’s needs. All I want is to be able to go to the hospital when I’m in labour and have my medical decisions respected - and my decision is to proceed with a trial of labour and not have caesarean surgery unless some medical complication arises that makes caesarean surgery necessary for my or my baby’s health.”
 
The National Advocates for Pregnant Women tried to get a restraining order against the hospital on behalf of Jennifer, which would mean that they couldn’t force her to have a caesarean section, but it was denied. The judge felt that Jennifer had no “right to compel a physician or medical facility to perform a medical procedure in the manner she wishes against their best medical judgment.”
 
Jennifer has told her lawyers that she is now terrified of going to hospital:
 
“Instead of respecting my wishes like they would for any other patient, my health care providers have made me fear for my safety and custody of my children. The people who are supposed to be caring for me and my baby have put me into an even more dangerous situation. I know I’m not the only one to go through this; I’m speaking out because pregnant women deserve better.”

Latest

Trending