Madison Burgess
The family of a woman who was declared brain dead and kept alive so doctors could deliver her baby via C-section has issued an update.
For those unfamiliar with the heartbreaking story, Adriana Smith, 31, from Atlanta, Georgia, was tragically pronounced brain dead after having a medical emergency last year.
While pregnant, she started experiencing headaches around nine weeks in and went for medical advice, when she was reportedly given medication and sent home.
However, her boyfriend heard her making gurgling sounds and struggling for breath, so rushed her to hospital, where a CT scan showed several blood clots in her brain.
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Doctors confirmed that tragically, there was no chance of recovery and declared her brain dead. Adriana remained on a ventilator and was kept alive via machines.
She was controversially kept alive by doctors who delivered her baby, a little boy called Chance, prematurely via C-section in June last year, before she was taken off life support, and her funeral was held later that month.
This is because Georgia's extremely controversial 'heartbeat law' prohibits the termination of any pregnancy after six weeks of gestation, following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade.
It means no abortion can be carried out if there is a 'detectable human heartbeat' except in the event of a 'medical emergency or medically futile pregnancy'.
Following her passing, Adriana's mother, April Newkirk, launched a fundraiser titled 'Help Adriana's Family During This Heartbreaking Journey'.
At the time of writing, it sits at $614.548. You can donate here.
Newkirk has since used the platform as a place to keep followers of the heartbreaking case updated, including on how baby Chance is doing.
A new emotional update issued last month on 19 February confirmed that after months in the NIC unit, the little one has come home and met his big brother, but is still on oxygen.
Adriana's mother wrote: "First of all, I want to tell everyone thank you for your continued support and prayers. I have an announcement to make, look who's home.
"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. I'm your big brother, Adriana Smith 2 sons."
She also shared pictures of baby Chance with his big brother, Chase, Adriana's first-born son, who is reportedly seven-years-old.
Then one day later, on 20 February, Chance's grandmother shared another sweet picture of him, alongside the caption: "He's a pleasant baby and happy look at that smile."
It comes after a previous update on 24 November, which read: "Chance is 11 pounds still in the NIC unit and will not be coming home soon. He is going to be moved to a different hospital for more help with his health, and I want everyone to know that I'm very grateful for your prays and help. Continue to pray because God has the final say so."
And another update dated 14th October showed a number of photos of Chance along with the message: "Chance is now 8 pounds. He is growing very well. Chance's lungs are underdeveloped, so he will stay in the NICU unit until his breathing gets better.
"Chase saw his little brother by video. This was a touching moment thank you all for your prayers and support. Keep praying."