The family of the woman kept via life support so she could give birth has shared an emotional update on the resulting baby.
The tragic case of Adriana Smith, 31, made headlines earlier this year after she was declared brain-dead while pregnant. Medical professionals made the incredibly difficult (not to mention widely debted) decision to keep her on life support so that she could carry her baby to term in order for doctors to perform a C-section.
Adriana, a nurse and mom to a seven-year-old, was initially admitted to hospital in February 2025, having complained about a headache. Days later, she was found unresponsive.
By May, doctors had sadly confirmed that she was brain-dead, but with Adriana nine weeks pregnant, medics were legally obligated to keep her alive to preserve her baby.
This is due to the state of Georgia’s “heartbeat law”, which bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected (typically around week six of a pregnancy).
In a GoFundMe post, her family wrote: “We had no say so regarding her lifeless body and unborn child.”
The little boy Adriana was carrying, later named Chance, was delivered prematurely by C-section in June, one month after his mother was declared brain-dead. He weighed just 1lb 13oz at the time of birth and was immediately transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit.
Adriana was taken off life support later in June, and subsequently passed away.
Adriana’s mom, April Newkirk, has since issued a heartbreaking update on Chance, who had to spend months in intensive care due to being extremely premature.
“It’s holiday season and I’m very down,” April began.
“Chance is 11 pounds still in the NIC unit and will not be coming home soon. He going to be moved to a different hospital for more help with his health, and I want everyone to know that I’m very grateful for your prays and help. Continue to pray because God has the final say so.”
A more positive update from October 14 revealed that Chance was “growing well.”
“Chances lungs are underdeveloped, so he will stay in the nicu unit until his breathing gets better,” said the post, accompanied by a number of pictures.
“Chase saw his little brother by video. This was a touching moment, thank you all for your prayers and support. Keep praying.”
Perhaps predictably, changes to the abortion law in Georgia have divided opinion. After the repeal of Roe v Wade in 2022, the state only permits the termination of a pregnancy in order ‘to save the pregnant person’s life’ or to ‘preserve’ their ‘physical health’, and ‘if the foetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy’.
What did you make of the bizarre and rather unsettling case of Adriana Smith and her pregnancy? Let us know in the comments.
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