ATLANTA, Ga. – Over 90 days ago, a pregnant Black woman in Georgia was declared brain dead following a medical emergency. Now the hospital says she must remain on life support until her fetus reaches full term. The case has gained national attention and criticism as the state has strict laws surrounding abortion.
Adriana Smith first sought medical care three months ago due to intense headaches. Smith was treated at Atlanta’s Northside Hospital, where she was given medication and discharged the same day. Despite the severity of Smith’s symptoms, Northside’s medical team did not run any lab tests. The next morning, her boyfriend awoke to her gasping for air, prompting him to dial 911. Paramedics took Smith to Emory University Hospital, where CT scans determined she had blood clots in her brain. Soon after, doctors declared her brain dead.
Now, three months later, Smith remains on life support. At 21 weeks pregnant, doctors intend to keep Smith on life support until the fetus reaches full term. Removal of life support measures, such as breathing tubes, would likely kill the fetus. The family has no say in the matter, making an already difficult situation even more complex.
Smith’s family, including her five-year-old son, continues to visit her in the hospital.
Near-total ban on abortion impacts Georgia woman
The action is a direct result of Georgia’s abortion ban. In 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the LIFE Act. This law bans abortions after a heartbeat becomes detectable, typically around six weeks. However, the law didn’t go into effect until Roe v. Wade was overturned by the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling.
Smith’s mother, April Newkirk, told reporters that the hospital declared her daughter legally brain dead in February. Newkirk expressed concern over the health of the fetus, as it has excess fluid in its brain.
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“She’s pregnant with my grandson. But he may be blind, may not be able to walk, may not survive once he’s born,” Newkirk told WXIA. With the decision being an involuntary action on the part of Smith’s family, they are facing extremely high medical bills. Being on life support can cost up to $10,000 a day.
“I’m not saying that we would have chose to terminate her pregnancy, but what I’m saying is, we should have had a choice,” Newkirk said.
Georgia woman case similar to others
In 2014, doctors kept a pregnant Texas woman on life support against her family’s wishes. Her fetus was at 23 weeks, a fact which doctors cited when continuing life-saving measures. A judge then ruled that the hospital was misconstruing state law and ordered doctors to abide by the family’s decision.
Politically, Georgia is a purple state. However, according to Tulane University, maternal mortality rates are higher in states that have strict abortion laws. These laws are most common in red states.
Some activists point out issues of racial equity. There is an epidemic of Black women leaving doctors’ visits feeling disregarded. Black women are also more likely to face complications during pregnancy and up to three times more likely to die during childbirth. Commentators have drawn parallels to The Handmaid’s Tale, a Hulu show based on the dystopian novel by Margaret Atwood.
It’s relatively rare for doctors and hospitals to keep pregnant women on life support. In other cases, the women were typically further along in their pregnancy. Smith was declared brain dead when she was only nine weeks pregnant.
Prolonged use of life support carries a heightened risk of sepsis, infection and organ failure. The majority of Smith’s pregnancy has taken place while in Georgia’s Emory Hospital.
Short but surprisingly deep.
As a white man living in England I find it hard to believe what is happening in America now. Your country is being destroyed by a racist misogynistic imbecile. My heart breaks for the family of this poor woman who clearly should have been allowed to pass with peace and dignity three months ago. Only women can give birth, only a woman has the right to decide what should and shouldn’t happen to her body.