The family of a pregnant woman declared brain-dead earlier this year says they have been denied the right to end her pregnancy due to Georgia’s strict abortion laws.
The woman, 30-year-old Adrian Smith, has been on life support for more than three months as doctors attempt to keep her body functioning until the baby can be delivered.
Smith was nine weeks pregnant when she was hospitalised in early February after experiencing severe headaches. Doctors discovered multiple blood clots in her brain. Despite efforts to relieve the pressure through surgery, Smith was declared brain-dead shortly afterward.
Her family told MSNBC affiliate that the hospital informed them they could not remove her from life support because of the state’s 2019 Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, which bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected typically around six weeks into pregnancy. The law made no exceptions for cases involving brain death.
“The hospital said they couldn’t do anything because the law won’t allow it,” Smith’s mother told local station. “So now we’re just watching her like this, and it’s torture.”
The hospital has decided to maintain life support until the fetus reaches a point of viability outside the womb, estimated around 32 weeks. This decision has been publicly praised by some Georgia officials. The state senator who authored the LIFE Act stated, “I’m thankful for the hospital recognising the full value of this small human life that’s living inside of this tragically dying mother.”
However, Smith’s family is deeply distressed. Her mother says the extended life support is taking a severe emotional and financial toll, and doctors have warned that the baby may suffer serious health complications, including potential blindness, inability to walk, or even death after birth.
“She’s pregnant with my grandson,” said Smith’s mother. “But we’ve been told he may have so many issues. And if he survives, we’ll be the ones raising him. We should’ve had the choice to decide what’s best for our family.”
Adding to the family’s concern are the mounting medical costs. “Every day that goes by is more cost, more trauma, and more unanswered questions,” she said.
Smith leaves behind a young son, who visits his mother at the hospital despite her being unresponsive.
Adriana’s GoFundMe page reads;
This journey has been deeply saddening and heartbreaking since FEB 9th, 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!
This case has reignited debate around Georgia’s abortion restrictions, highlighting the complex intersection of reproductive rights, end-of-life care, and family autonomy. While supporters of the LIFE Act view the ongoing pregnancy as a testament to the value of unborn life, critics argue the law denies grieving families the ability to make deeply personal medical decisions.
