A pregnant woman in Georgia has been declared legally brain dead — but is still being kept just barely alive, with no hope of recovery… all because of anti-abortion laws. It’s one of the most monstrous forms we’ve seen the “pro-life” movement take.
The heartbreaking story comes out of Atlanta, Georgia where 30-year-old Adriana Smith has been brain dead for over three months. In early February the momma-to-be started experiencing intense headaches. She was worried “enough to know something was wrong” and decided to go for a checkup at the hospital. It turned out she had something seriously wrong with her. But no one looked hard enough. The woman’s mother April Newkirk (pictured above) told 11Alive:
“They gave her some medication, but they didn’t do any tests. No CT scan. If they had done that or kept her overnight, they would have caught it. It could have been prevented.”
The next morning, Newkirk says her daughter’s boyfriend found her gasping for air in her sleep and making gurgling noises they believe was due to blood in her lungs. She was rushed to the hospital again, where this time they did perform a CT scan, and found multiple blood clots in her lungs.
It was too late for any hope. Doctors were unable to perform surgery and save her, so Smith was declared brain dead. So, so sad.
It gets even more horrific than a death in the family for this fam, though. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, current Georgia law states “no abortion shall be performed if the unborn child has a detectable human heartbeat except (a) in the event of a medical emergency or medically futile pregnancy”. Seems like a medical emergency, right? As well as a futile pregnancy, considering the mom is essentially dead? Well, not quite. The state defines a “medical emergency” as “a condition in which an abortion is necessary in order to prevent the death of the pregnant woman or the substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman”.
Related: South Carolina Woman Forced To Carry Fetus For WEEKS After Miscarriage
With Smith already being brain dead, this is a gray area. Because of the law, doctors are forced to leave her on life support until the fetus in her womb reaches viability. Newkirk herself also said she was told the doctors legally aren’t allowed to consider other options.
Speaking on the situation, the grieving mother said:
“I think every woman should have the right to make their own decision. And if not, then their partner or their parents.”
In fact, Newkirk wants to make it clear she’s not even sure if they would’ve decided to end the pregnancy at all. She just believes that not having the option is causing more harm than good. She also said the risks involved are a major factor to consider — as the child has probably suffered irreversible damage from being carried by a woman in such a medical state:
“She’s pregnant with my grandson. But he may be blind, may not be able to walk, may not survive once he’s born. This decision should’ve been left to us. Now we’re left wondering what kind of life he’ll have — and we’re going to be the ones raising him.”
So awful… This poor family.
Smith is currently at 21 weeks — meaning three months ago, when she essentially died, she was only around 9-10 weeks. Doctors are planning to keep her alive until 32 weeks into the pregnancy because of these laws, so that the baby will have a chance to survive outside the womb. Newkirk told the outlet:
“But every day that goes by, it’s more cost, more trauma, more questions.”
Not to mention the trauma and heartbreak the family is feeling, especially since Smith’s other child believes his mother is “just sleeping”:
“She’s been breathing through machines for more than 90 days. It’s torture for me. I see my daughter breathing, but she’s not there. And her son — I bring him to see her.”
We can’t imagine. What a horrific situation. She’s a human being, but they’re treating her like an incubator. And for what? For a child who likely can’t survive and who the same government will abandon and refuse to care for the moment it’s born. See April’s full interview (below):
We’re sending light to Adriana’s family as they face this horrible situation. No family should ever have to deal with something like this. May she rest in peace.
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