Adriana Smith Case Raises Tough Questions About Georgia’s Abortion Restrictions

Adriana Smith, nine weeks pregnant, experienced debilitating headaches and was hospitalized at Northside Hospital, yet went undiagnosed and was discharged. The following day, concerns over her labored breathing prompted another admission to Emory University Hospital, where a CT scan revealed blood clots. Tragically, Smith was declared brain dead, with her body sustained by a ventilator. Under Georgia’s Heartbeat Ban, she must remain on life support until her fetus reaches viability at 32 weeks. Georgia's laws, which equate embryos with legal persons, have sparked intense debate among healthcare professionals and lawmakers. Advocates like State Rep. Kim Schofield condemn this framework, labeling it as inhumane. Adriana's family now faces financial strain amid this crisis, raising over $125,000 to cover mounting medical expenses.