Why pregnant woman was kept alive to deliver her baby despite being brain dead

A pregnant woman who had been declared brain dead was forced to be kept alive and give birth to her baby via C-section in the United States earlier this year, in a shocking case that made headlines around the world.

For those who are unfamiliar, in February of this year, Adriana Smith, 31, from Atlanta, Georgia, was tragically pronounced brain dead after having a medical emergency.

She started experiencing headaches around nine weeks into her pregnancy and went for medical advice, when she was reportedly given medication and sent home.

The next morning, 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.

Doctors confirmed that heartbreakingly there was no chance of recovery and declared her brain dead. Adriana remained on a ventilator and was kept alive via machines.

Her son was delivered by doctors prematurely in June, after which she was taken off life support and her funeral was held later that month.

The heartbreaking case of Adriana Smith and her baby has made headlines around the US (GoFundMe)

Why was Adriana Smith kept alive to deliver her baby?

The case sent shockwaves around America after medics were legally obligated to keep her alive to preserve the foetus due to Georgia's controversial 'heartbeat law'.

Her baby, named Chance, was kept in the neonatal intensive care unit after weighing just 1lb 13oz (0.8kg) at birth.

So, let's break down exactly what happened and why.

The 'heartbeat law' prohibits the termination of any pregnancy after six weeks of gestation following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade.

The legislation states that 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'.

Termination of the pregnancy can only be performed 'to save the pregnant person's life', to 'preserve' the woman's 'physical health' and 'if the foetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy'.

The heartbeat law prohibits the termination of any pregnancy after six weeks of gestation (Getty Stock Image)

As reported by The Atlantic, Emory University Hospital said in a statement that its treatment decisions are based, in part, on 'compliance with Georgia’s abortion laws'.

The case also reignited interest in Georgia’s LIFE Act, which grants full constitutional rights to any 'unborn child with a detectable human heartbeat'.

This is known as fetal personhood and it controversially defines a foetus, at times from the moment of conception, as a legal person with rights equal to or similar to those of a born human being.

In legally declaring a foetus to be a 'person', this can make abortion legally equivalent to something as serious as homicide or manslaughter, depending on how they’re enforced.

What have Adriana Smith's family said?

Adriana's mother, April Newkirk, told reporters that the hospital instead kept Smith’s body on life support for more than four months without the family’s input or consent.

The mother said: "I think all women should have a choice about their body. And I think I want people to know that."

She also previously told WXIA: "I think every woman should have the right to make their own decision, and if not, then their partner or their parents.

"I’m not saying we would have chosen to terminate her pregnancy, but what I’m saying is we should have had a choice."

Adriana's mother, April Newkirk, recently issued an update on the newborn (GoFundMe)

She added: "It’s torture for me. I come here, and I see my daughter breathing on a ventilator, but she’s not there."

Since her daughter's passing, April has launched a fundraiser, titled 'Help Adriana's Family During This Heartbreaking Journey', which has since raised $559,423 of the $600K target.

April shared on update on 24 November, specifically on how baby Chance is doing, as she wrote: "It's holiday season and I'm very down.

"Chance is 11 pounds still in the NIC unit and will not be coming home soon. He 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 prayers and help. Continue to pray because God has the final say so."

You can donate to the fundraiser here.