A pregnant woman, who had been declared brain dead since February, gave birth to a baby boy early on June 13 at an Atlanta hospital after spending months on life support due to Georgia’s strict abortion laws.
Adriana Smith, a 31-year-old nurse, delivered the premature baby, weighing just 13 ounces, via C-section. He is currently receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit at Emory University Hospital in Midtown.
Smith’s family is hopeful for the baby they’ve named Chance, wanting him to be a fighter.
“He’s doing okay,” her mother, April Newkirk, shared with a local news outlet. “We just need to keep praying for him. He’s here.”
Newkirk had previously expressed that the baby could face various health challenges, but they hope his name brings him luck.
As prayers from the family filled the air for the baby’s fragile health, they also marked a poignant moment—Adriana, who recently turned 31, was taken off life support just before the birth.
“It’s really hard, you know,” she said tearfully.
Adriana had visited Emory University Hospital for severe headaches while she was about nine weeks pregnant. Initially treated and released, she returned when the headaches worsened. Subsequent scans revealed multiple clots in her brain, leading to her being declared brain dead just hours later.
Smith was then transferred to Emory Midtown, where she was kept on life support to align with Georgia’s law—which, often referred to as the “heartbeat bill,” prohibits abortion after six weeks and grants full legal rights to the fetus.
Newkirk mentioned that doctors informed them that Smith’s life was maintained solely for compliance with this law. “We didn’t really have a choice in this,” she said before the birth. “We wanted a baby, but I believe that decision should have been ours, not dictated by the state.”
Many had doubts about the baby’s chances of survival given the circumstances.
Experts had suggested that the chances of a successful birth were slim due to the situation. “The odds are not in favor of a healthy newborn here,” noted Steve Bralston, a dean at George Washington University’s maternal fetal medicine department.
The hospital’s decision to continue life support for Smith has sparked significant controversy, with critics citing profound ethical concerns and emotional distress. “Adriana Smith’s family is enduring a nightmare because of Georgia’s harsh abortion ban,” stated Maraj, president of Reproductive Freedom. “Families should have the autonomy to make their own decisions regarding their loved ones—forcing them to prolong suffering isn’t just poor policy; it’s inhumane.”
As the situation intensified, lawmakers entered the conversation. “This isn’t healthcare; it’s a licensed atrocity,” remarked state Democrat Kim Shawfield.
The hospital has refrained from commenting publicly on the case, citing patient privacy laws. Smith, who also has a seven-year-old son, was scheduled to be removed from life support on Tuesday.
