‘Second Chance’: Family of pregnant mom declared brain-dead wants baby boy to survive

The family of Adriana Smith, the pregnant Georgia woman declared brain dead and kept on life support to allow her preborn baby a chance to live, has now named her son — and expressed their hope that he will survive.

Smith’s mother, April Newkirk, spoke with 11Alive, announcing that the family has chosen a name for Smith’s baby boy: Chance. “Because to me, he’s getting a second chance,” Newkirk said.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Contrary to how the media and pro-abortion activists have portrayed the feelings of Smith’s family, it appears they have never expressed certainty about removing Smith and her baby from life support.

• Though media blames Georgia’s LIFE Act for keeping Smith on life support, the Attorney General’s office says the LIFE Act is irrelevant here, as removal of life support is not an abortion.

• The family named the baby, wants him to survive, and says they will “love” and “embrace” him.

• The family said the prognosis for the baby is more positive than the last time they met with doctors.

THE DETAILS:

Pro-abortion mainstream media and activists have exploited Smith’s story, portraying it as if 1) her family wanted her off of life support, and 2) that keeping her on life support was the fault of Georgia’s LIFE Act. As it turns out, these were both false narratives. Live Action News previously noted that the Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care Act of 2007 was the likely reason Smith has been kept on life support; under that law, a pregnant woman cannot be withdrawn from life support unless her preborn child is not yet considered viable, and she has an advance directive in place requesting to be removed from life support. Smith had no advance directive in place.

Now, the Georgia Attorney General’s office has released a statement confirming that the pro-life law isn’t relevant in this case, writing, “There is nothing in the LIFE Act that requires medical professionals to keep a woman on life support after brain death,” adding, “Removing life support is not an action with the purpose to terminate a pregnancy.”

Newkirk said the family originally inquired if aborting Smith’s baby boy would have given Smith a better chance of recovery. They were told that it would not. “She’s not there,” her mother said. “But the baby’s there.”

She added that though the family grieves and is in pain every time they visit Smith in the hospital, “I just want to be clear on something: we want her to have her baby. We want her life to continue through[] her children.”

Newkirk told 11Alive that baby Chance “is actually doing better than the last time I met with the doctors. He has his legs, his toes, his limbs, heartbeat is good and strong…” — and they are hoping he survives. “The journey is for baby Chance to survive — and whatever condition God allows him to come here in, we’re going to love him just the same, and we’re gonna embrace him.”

The baby is weighing a bit above average, which Newkirk said doctors indicate “is a good sign.” Smith is reportedly receiving nutrition and steroids via PICC line. Notably, 11Alive’s written report indicates that Smith’s family is struggling with whether to remove her from life support even after Chance’s delivery.

THE BACKSTORY:

As Live Action News previously detailed, Smith went to the hospital at nine weeks pregnant with a headache, but was sent home with medication. The next morning, her boyfriend awoke to her gasping for air and gurgling. She was again rushed to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed multiple blood clots in her brain.

She was pronounced brain dead and was moved to Emory University Hospital Midtown, where she has remained on a ventilator for the past 90 days with the goal of giving her son a chance to survive. Her family has expressed their grief at the loss of their daughter and noted concerns about medical bills as well as the possibility that Chance may have disabilities.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

Though Newkirk previously stated that she felt that in a case like Smith’s, a woman’s partner or parents should be allowed to make the decision about removing life support, it seems clear that the family wants Chance to live and be a part of their lives despite their ongoing grief.