Family of brain dead woman who was kept alive to deliver son give positive update on baby

The mother of Adriana Smith, who was declared brain dead and kept alive so doctors could deliver her baby via C-section last year, has issued an update.

For those who need a reminder of the tragic story, the 31-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, was pronounced brain dead in February 2025 after having a medical emergency.

While pregnant with her second child, she began experiencing headaches nine weeks in and went for medical advice, when she was reportedly given medication and sent home.

However, things took a devastating turn when her boyfriend heard her making gurgling sounds and struggling for breath, so he rushed her to the hospital, where a CT scan showed several blood clots in her brain.

Doctors told Adriana's family that there was no chance of recovery and declared her brain dead. However, she remained on a ventilator and was controversially kept alive via machines so that her baby could be delivered.

Georgia's extremely divisive 'heartbeat law' prohibits the termination of any pregnancy after six weeks of gestation, following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Adriana Smith was controversially kept alive last year to deliver her baby, after being pronounced brain dead (GoFundMe)

The 31-year-old's family devastatingly claimed they had no say in what happened to her because of Georgia's legislation, including the 'fetal personhood' laws, which define an embryo or a fetus as a 'natural person'.

Adriana's son, Chance, was born prematurely via C-section in June 2025, before Adriana was taken off life support, and her funeral was held later that month.

After her daughter's devastating passing and the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding it, Adriana's mother, April Newkirk, launched a fundraiser called 'Help Adriana's Family During This Heartbreaking Journey'.

The GoFundMe currently sits at $617,000 at the time of writing, and the page has also been used as a way for April to keep people updated on how baby Chance is doing.

In the latest post, shared on 29 March, April wrote: "Chance is doing better, he's 18 pounds and so pleasant and happy making progress. Chase is day by day thank everyone for your and support."

She also included some sweet photos of the nine-month-old.

It comes after the grandmother disclosed that in February that Chance was home and doing well but 'still on oxygen'.

In October, she explained that his 'lungs are underdeveloped,' which is why he had to stay in the hospital's NICU unit for months following his birth.

Adriana was also mum to a 7-year-old son called Chase, whom April also shares updates on.

Adriana's mother, April Newkirk, has issued an update on baby Chance (Youtube/11alive)

Previously, she wrote on 15 March: "Chase and Chance are doing well day by day.

"I just want everyone to know that I'm very grateful for all the love you have shared with me. I woke up angry, but I had to regroup and know that there are people who care about us.

"This has been very overwhelming for me and her dad. Seems like we both and are up late night, just look at each other shaking our heads without words.

"Keep my family in your prayers and thank everyone for their support."

You can donate here.

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