The heartbeat in Georgia prohibits ending pregnancy as soon as a heartbeat can be recognized, usually in about six weeks of pregnancy. The woman's family says that doctors keep their daughter alive until the fetus reaches life capacity
01:59 ET, May 15th, 2025
Image: Adriana Smith.(Image: 11alive)
A pregnant woman in Georgia who suffered blood clots in her brain, which led to the fact that she was declared a completely brain dead for life support for life preservation, was kept alive despite the wishes of her family due to the state's strict abortion laws.
Adriana Smith, 30, mother and nurse from Atlanta, started intensive headaches last September when she was nine weeks pregnant. After being treated in a local hospital, the doctors found that she had blood clots in her brain and, according to the Wxia TV in Atlanta, was soon sent home with medication.
“They gave their medication, but they did not carry out any tests. No CT scan,” said April Newkirk, Smith's mother, 11alive. “If they had done that or kept them overnight, they would have caught it. It could have been prevented.”
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Smith would finally be declared for Hirntad and will be connected to life -saving machines for more than 90 days from Wednesday(Image: 11alive)
The next morning Smith woke up for air and her friend said that he heard what sounded like stringing noises. He immediately called in 911 and was transferred to Emory Decatur before the handover to the Emory University Hospital.
“They asked me if I would agree to a procedure to relieve the pressure, and I said yes,” said Newkirk. “Then they called me back and said they couldn't do it.”
Smith would finally be declared Hirntad and had been connected to life -saving machines for more than 90 days on Wednesday. Since then she has been brought to Emory Midtown for her excellent obstetric care. However, your family question the policy of the situation.
According to their family, the doctors are reported to be waiting for the fetus in 32 weeks of pregnancy weeks, which will not happen for months, since Smith is only 21 weeks pregnant. The doctors have informed their family that they are needed after the heartbeat in Georgia to maintain life preservation until the fetus reaches life capability.
Newkirk told WXIA TV that the decision for her family was very traumatic for the health of the baby as well as Smith's condition.
People watch from a bridge while the demonstrators in the city center of Atlanta march and sing against Georgia's new abortion law on July 23, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Image: Getty Images)
“She is pregnant with my grandson,” said Newkirk. “But he may be blind, may not be able to walk, maybe not survive if he born. This decision should have been given to us. Now we ask ourselves what kind of life he has – and we will be those who raise him.”
The heartbeat in Georgia was signed by governor Brian Kemp in 2019 and banned abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be determined, typically in about six weeks of pregnancy. A legal judge has completed the law, but the Supreme Court of Georgia restored it last year.
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