Credit: GoFundMe
Family Issues Sad Update On Baby After Brain-Dead Woman Was Kept Alive To Give Birth
The family of a woman who was kept alive on life support to deliver her baby have spoken out, issuing a sad update on the little boy following his mom’s death.
Adriana Smith, a 31-year-old nurse from Atlanta, Georgia, experienced a catastrophic medical emergency earlier last year during the early stages of her pregnancy.
While pregnant, she began experiencing headaches at around nine weeks and sought advice, but was reportedly given medication and sent home.
Despite doctors later confirming that she was actually brain-dead, they kept the mom on life-support machines for several weeks to deliver her baby, due to Georgia’s strict abortion laws.
Her family were left totally heartbroken by the horrifying reality, after having no say at all in what happened to her during the weeks she was kept ‘alive’ by machines.
Adriana’s devastating diagnosis
Adriana, who was already a mom to seven-year-old son Chase, suffered a rare but life-threatening blood clot in her brain.
Within three months of the clots being recognized by medical experts, she was officially declared brain dead in February 2025, while being nine weeks pregnant.
In June, after being kept alive by machines for a whole month despite the devastating diagnosis, doctors performed a C-section to deliver her baby prematurely.
The baby boy, named Chance, was born weighing just 1-lb 13oz.
Given how premature his birth was, Chance was immediately transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit.
Georgia’s strict abortion laws
Georgia’s abortion laws, following the repeal of Roe v Wade in the US in 2022, meant that her family had no say in keeping her alive in order to deliver the baby safely.
Under Georgia’s so-called ‘heartbeat law,’ doctors were legally required to keep her body functioning, because the fetus still had detectable cardiac activity.
Cardiac activity can be detected often around six weeks into pregnancy, and the state severely restricts access to abortion and recognises fetuses as having certain legal rights from very early in pregnancy.
Adriana was finally taken off life support in June, following the birth of her son.
Chance’s early months
In response to their enormously difficult circumstance, a GoFundMe page was launched for the family as they grieved the loss of Adriana.
At the time of writing, $614K has been raised for the family, as they navigate raising Chance following the death of his mom.
Adriana’s mom, April, wrote: “My daughters hospitalization has turned our world upside down.
“Adriana was only two months when placed on support, and we were given no choice to wait for months to find out the baby will suffer disease which will lead to major disabilities.”
In a previous update, April shared that Chance remained in the NIC unit and would not be coming home soon.
But in a new statement, the family have issued a sad update.
A case that has reignited debate over abortion laws
Adriana’s case has reignited debate across America about the real-world impact of abortion restrictions.
While these situations are often cited as rare and used in debates, Adriana’s case highlights how consequential policies can be.
Supporters of tighter regulations argue that such laws safeguard unborn children.
Critics, however, contend that they can lead to extended suffering for families and place medical professionals in ethically difficult situations.
Adriana’s family has spoken candidly about the distress of not being able to allow her to pass away peacefully, even when doctors had determined that recovery was impossible.
She kept alive by machines against their will.
The family issues a devastating update
An emotional update was issued on February 19 by the family, who noted that despite Chance now being at home and meeting his big brother, he is still on oxygen.
And they do not know how long he will be needing the support.
April added: “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.”
The family are asking for continued prayers for the little boy.
If you would like to donate to support Adriana’s family, you can do so by clicking here.
Related Article: Strict Abortion Law Explained As Family Issue Devastating Update On Baby After Brain-Dead Woman Was Kept Alive To Give Birth
Related Article: Woman Who ‘Died’ And ‘Floated Into Heaven’ After Giving Birth Reveals What She Really Saw
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