The family of Adriana Smith, 31, who was declared brain dead last year and kept on life support so doctors could deliver her baby, has shared a new update.
Adriana, from Atlanta, Georgia, suffered a medical emergency while pregnant and was tragically pronounced brain dead about nine weeks into her pregnancy. A CT scan revealed multiple blood clots in her brain, and doctors confirmed she had no chance of recovery. She remained on a ventilator, kept alive by machines. Controversially, doctors maintained her on life support so her baby could be delivered.
This unfolded against the backdrop of Georgia’s highly controversial “heartbeat law,” which, following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, bans abortion after six weeks of gestation unless there is a medical emergency.
Adriana Smith was kept on life support so doctors could deliver her baby
In June of last year, doctors performed a C-section and delivered a boy named Chance. Adriana was taken off life support shortly afterward. After her passing, Adriana’s mother, April Newkirk, started a fundraiser titled “Help Adriana’s Family During This Heartbreaking Journey.”
On GoFundMe, she wrote: “My daughters hospitalization has turned our world upside down, Adriana complained about an headache days prior and travel to two hospitals but was given medication with no tests ran or proper examination, then Sunday morning she was found unresponsive suddenly Adriana was declared brain dead FEB 19th but due to expecting her unborn child she with be kept on life support due to heart beat law in Georgia but sadden to know we had no say so regarding her lifeless body and unborn child.
“Adriana was only 2 months when placed on support and were given no choice to wait for months to find out the baby will suffer disease which will lead to major disabilities. Adriana has 7year old son and family behind left who’s broken and we’re asking for prayers and support during this time. Anything helps!”
“He’s a pleasant baby”
She has also used the platform to keep supporters updated on baby Chance’s progress. The latest updates, posted on February 19 and 20, reveal that after months in the NICU, Chance is now home and has met his older brother, though he still requires oxygen.
April wrote:”First of all, I want to tell everyone thank you for your continued support and prayers. I have an announcement to make, look who’s home.
“Chance is home doing [well], still on oxygen. I won’t go into details, but keep praying Chase was so happy to see Chance it made me cry.”
Then one day later, on 20 February, Chance’s grandmother shared another sweet picture of him, alongside the caption: “He’s a pleasant baby and happy look at that smile.”
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