Adriana Smith’s family say they are living through a nightmare after she was declared brain dead but is still being kept alive because she is pregnant. Adriana is a 30-year-old nurse and mother from Atlanta.
Earlier this year, Adriana began suffering from severe headaches. She later collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital. Doctors found multiple blood clots in her brain and confirmed there was no chance she would recover.
Despite this, Adriana has been kept on a ventilator for more than three months. Doctors told the family they are required to continue life support under Georgia law, which restricts ending a pregnancy once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Because Adriana is no longer considered medically at risk herself, doctors say they cannot withdraw support.
Her mother says watching her daughter’s body kept alive by machines is heartbreaking. Adriana’s young son believes his mother is only sleeping, which has made the situation even more painful for the family.
The family says the hardest part is having no choice. They say they are not sure what decision they would have made, but believe that decision should have been theirs. Doctors have reportedly said they plan to keep Adriana on life support until the pregnancy reaches about 32 weeks, when the baby will be delivered.
