The mother of a brain-dead woman who was kept on life support to give birth has said her grandson still is not well enough to come home for Christmas.
Adriana Smith, 31, had a medical emergency while nine weeks pregnant in February.
Despite doctors declaring her brain-dead in May, Adriana, from Atlanta, Georgia, was kept alive so her baby could be delivered by C-section.
In the US state of Georgia, most abortions are banned once a ‘detectable human heartbeat’ has been found.
This ‘heartbeat law’ means medics were legally obliged to keep Adriana alive to preserve the life of her baby.
Adriana’s son Chance was delivered prematurely by C-section in June, weighing just 1lb 13oz.
He was transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit.
Adriana was taken off life support the same month and her family were able to hold a funeral for her.
April Newkirk, Adriana’s mother, has now issued an update on GoFundMe, where nearly $560,00 (£419,400) has been raised for her family.
Ms Newkirk said: ‘It’s holiday season and I’m very down.
‘Chance is 11 pounds, [still] in the NICU unit and will not be coming home soon.
‘He [is] going to be moved to a different hospital for more help with his health and I want everyone to know that I’m very grateful for your [prayers] and help.
‘Continue to pray because God has the final say so.’
The US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the case of Roe v Wade in June 2022 removed the federal constitutional right to abortion.
This meant the decision on regulating medical terminations was passed to individual states.
In Georgia, where Adriana was from, abortion laws a strict compared to other states.
In 2019, a near-total ban was signed by Georgia’s governor Brian Kemp.
The law’s definition of a ‘person’ also includes an ‘unborn child’.
It was blocked before it could be take effect because it violated the right to an abortion established by the case of Roe v Wade.
But when this was overturned, the state law could take effect.
In Georgia, most abortions are banned once a ‘detectable human heartbeat’ can be found.
Heartbeats can be detected by ultrasound in cells with an embryo at six weeks into pregnancy.
Instances where pregnancy is the result of rape or incest are exempt from this law, as well as instances where the mother’s life is at risk or a serious medical condition renders a foetus unviable.
In a previous update in October Ms Newkirk said: ‘Chance is now 8 pounds.
‘He is growing very well. Chance’s lungs are underdeveloped, so he will stay in the NICU unit until his breathing gets better.
‘Chase saw his little brother by video. This was a touching moment.
‘Thank you all for your prayers and support. Keep praying.’
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