Hospital Exhausted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life Following Free Home Birth, Coroner Hears.

A medical facility completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood group in a futile attempt to rescue her as she suffered catastrophic bleeding after a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has been told.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was accompanied by her spouse, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her baby boy at her home in Melbourne residence on 29 September.

The infant was well, but the mother's condition worsened suddenly and an ambulance was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was told on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers discovered the woman looking jaundiced and struggling to breathe as she sat on the floor near the water birth tub, counsel assisting the court stated.

She was transported to Frankston hospital but could not be saved.

Authorities believe she succumbed to severe complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard explained.

The medical center's stock of her blood type was entirely depleted during doctors’ attempts to stabilize her, the court was informed.

The fatality was reported to police, and her husband provided a statement to investigating officers, but Lal refused.

As police went to inspect Warnecke’s home the next day, they discovered the house had been deep cleaned by the doula.

Decisions Regarding Prenatal Care

The woman opted not to receive any form of health care during her pregnancy, including declining scan appointments and consultations with a midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother wanted to deliver at home and engaged Lal, who also promoted herself as a free birth “keeper” on online platforms.

A free birth, sometimes called a wild or unassisted birth, differs from a home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with Lal will be a key part of the official inquest into her death, Ellyard noted.

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

Background and Current Inquiry

The court was informed that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who advocated for a wholesome and “natural” way of life on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard said.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over allegations she was involved in home deliveries that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The coroner would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated Warnecke, the court heard.

The case will return to the coroner’s court in March for a procedural update.