ATLANTA, Georgia - A pregnant woman declared brain-dead in February has been kept on life support for over three months at Emory University Hospital, a decision her family says is mandated by Georgia's strict anti-abortion law [1][2][3].

Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old mother and nurse, was declared brain-dead after suffering from intense headaches and blood clots in her brain [1][2]. Her mother, April Newkirk, told local media that doctors have informed the family they cannot remove life support due to Georgia's 'heartbeat law' [1][2][3].

Georgia's law, enacted after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, restricts abortions once cardiac activity is detected in a fetus, typically around six weeks into pregnancy [2][3]. This case highlights the complex implications of such legislation on medical decisions and family rights.

Currently 21 weeks pregnant, Smith could potentially remain on life support for several more months, as her due date is still over three months away [2][4]. This situation may become one of the longest such pregnancies on record [2][3].

The case has sparked debate about the intersection of medical ethics, family rights, and abortion legislation. Smith's family expressed distress over their lack of decision-making power in this situation [2][3].

Emory Healthcare, while not commenting on this specific case due to privacy rules, stated that they 'use consensus from clinical teams, family members, and medical ethicists in determining a path forward in complex cases' [4].

As this situation unfolds, it continues to raise questions about the broader implications of strict abortion laws on medical practices and family autonomy in complex medical scenarios [1][2][3][4].