A 30-year-old pregnant woman from Georgia, USA has been on life support for three months after being declared brain-dead, according to her mother, April Newkirk. She said the hospital did not consult them about the decision.
In February, Adriana Smith, a registered nurse, experienced a severe headache while she was 9 weeks pregnant. After being examined, it was discovered that she had blood clots in her brain, causing her to be declared brain-dead.
Because of Georgia's strict abortion laws—which prohibit abortions when a fetal heartbeat (6 weeks) is heard—the hospital was reluctant to take her off the ventilator. Now, she is 21 weeks pregnant, though it's still uncertain whether it would be safe for the baby.
According to Newkirk, "I didn't say we would choose to terminate the pregnancy, but it's our right to choose." Katie Watson, an expert in medical ethics, added that there is nothing in Georgia law that prohibits removing a brain-dead person from a ventilator even if they are pregnant.
Many were outraged by the incident—especially from Democratic and pro-choice groups—who said the situation highlighted the dangers to pregnant Black women in states with strict reproductive laws.
