Brain-dead mother forced to carry pregnancy under Georgia's abortion ban

An Atlanta woman has been kept on life support for over three months, despite being declared brain dead, due to strict abortion laws in the state of Georgia. Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old nurse and mother, was nine weeks pregnant when she suffered severe headaches in February and visited a hospital for help. According to her mother, April Newkirk, staff gave her medication but failed to conduct crucial scans, including a CT scan, which might have detected the blood clots later found in her brain.

The following morning, Smith’s boyfriend found her unresponsive and struggling to breathe. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors discovered extensive brain damage caused by multiple clots. Though surgery was considered, it was already too late. Smith was pronounced brain dead shortly afterwards.

Yet, because of Georgia’s abortion ban, doctors have been legally required to keep Smith alive to allow the foetus to reach viability. The law, known as the LIFE Act or “Heartbeat Bill” bans abortions once a foetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks. While exceptions exist for medical emergencies, Smith’s condition reportedly falls into a legal grey area. As she is already brain dead, doctors argue she is no longer considered at risk, and the pregnancy must be maintained until at least 32 weeks.

Her mother describes the experience as a living nightmare. “It’s torture for me. I see my daughter breathing through machines, but she’s not there,” Newkirk said. “And her son—he thinks she’s just sleeping.” The family now faces the heartbreaking possibility that the baby, if born, could face severe health issues.

Newkirk stressed that the most painful part is not having the choice. “This decision should’ve been left to us. We might not have ended the pregnancy, but not having the option is the hardest part.” Smith is currently 21 weeks pregnant, with doctors hoping to sustain her body for another 11 weeks.