Hospital Used Up Blood Supply Trying to Save Wellness Influencer's Life Following Unassisted Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's matching blood group in a vain effort to rescue her as she suffered catastrophic bleeding after a free birth, a court has been told.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed birth attendant named the doula when she gave birth to her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

The infant was well, but Warnecke's state deteriorated quickly and an emergency services was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the hearing was informed on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers arrived to find Warnecke looking pale and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel the court stated.

The patient was taken to the local hospital but her life could not be saved.

It is suspected she succumbed to severe complications after a post-birth hemorrhage, Ellyard explained.

The medical center's stock of her blood type was fully used up during doctors’ efforts to save her, the inquest was told.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but Lal declined to cooperate.

As police went to examine the birth scene the next day, they also found the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.

Choices Around Prenatal Care

The woman chose not to receive any form of medical care during her term, including refusing scan appointments and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother wanted to deliver at home and contacted Lal, who advertised herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which involves care from qualified medical practitioners.

The relationship and communications with Lal will be a key part of the official inquest into her death, the counsel said.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the decisions around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Inquiry

The court was informed that Warnecke was a certified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those apprehensions shaped her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard added.

Earlier this year, the state health regulator issued a warning that it was looking into the doula's activities over allegations she was involved in home deliveries that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The investigation would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated the patient, the court heard.

This matter will be back before the coroner’s court in the coming months for a procedural update.