Brain-Dead Mom Kept on Life Support Until She Gives Birth

The family of a pregnant woman in the US state of Georgia who is brain dead will not be allowed to terminate her pregnancy due to the state's abortion ban. 

Adrian Smith, 30, was hospitalized in early February for intense headaches when she was 9 weeks pregnant, and doctors found multiple blood clots in her brain, according to her family’s narration in one of the media outlets.

Doctors attempted surgery to relieve the pressure, but she was left brain-dead after the operation.

Smith’s mother, told WXIA that the hospital said they could not take her off life support because the state law prevents it.

The state of Georgia passed the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act in 2019, and it was signed it into law, saying medical professionals can't perform an abortion if a heartbeat is detected.

The publication revealed that the hospital has decided to keep her alive on the life-supporting machine until when her baby reaches full term in her womb, a move that has been praised by the state officials.

'I’m thankful for the hospital recognizing the full value of this small human life that’s living inside of this tragically dying young mother; mindful of the agony of this young mother’s family,' the state senator who introduced the LIFE bill told the local news station.

According to the family, doctors are keeping her alive until the baby can survive outside the womb, which is around 32 weeks.

'She's been breathing through machines for more than 90 days. It's torture for me,' Smith’s mother said.

'I see my daughter breathing, but she's not there. And her firstborn son—I bring him to see her.'

Even after doctors sustaining her alive until at least 32 weeks of pregnancy, the family has been notified of a serious concern – the child might be born with lots of disabilities.

'She's pregnant with my grandson. But he may be blind, may not be able to walk, may not survive once he's born,' Smith’s mother said.

'This decision should've been left to us. Now we're left wondering what kind of life he'll have—and we're going to be the ones raising him.'

Smith’s mother also said she was worried about paying the mounting hospital bills, telling the outlet, 'Every day that goes by, it’s more cost, more trauma, more questions.'