Georgia Family Faces Heart-Wrenching Dilemma Over Pregnant Woman on Life Support

ATLANTA, Ga. (WJCL) — A Georgia mother has been on life support for over 90 days after being declared brain dead, sparking a debate over the state’s heartbeat law. Adriana Smith, 30, was declared brain dead after developing complications during her pregnancy.

Adriana’s mother, April Newkirk, shared that her daughter had severe headaches that began when she was about nine weeks pregnant. Concerned for her health, Adriana sought medical assistance at Northside Hospital, but no tests or scans were performed to diagnose her condition.

The situation escalated when Adriana’s boyfriend noticed she was gasping for air. She was eventually transferred to Emory University Hospital, where doctors discovered blood clots in her head. Newkirk feels that this critical information could have been caught earlier had appropriate tests been conducted.

Now, due to Georgia’s heartbeat law, which prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, Adriana remains on life support against her family’s wishes. Newkirk described seeing her daughter on a ventilator as “torture,” emphasizing the emotional strain of witnessing her daughter’s condition.

As of now, Adriana is 21 weeks pregnant, leaving the health of her unborn child uncertain. Newkirk stated, “We don’t know if he’ll live once she has him.” She believes the family should have been involved in decision-making regarding Adriana’s care.

The heartbeat law complicates matters significantly, limiting exceptions for procedures like this. “Under the law, it should have been left up to the family to make choices,” Newkirk argued, expressing the desire for autonomy in such critical situations.

The case raises serious questions regarding patient rights and the implications of state laws governing reproductive health.