Medical Center Used Up Blood In an Attempt to Rescue Health Influencer's Life After Free Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A medical facility exhausted its supply of a wellness influencer's matching blood group in a vain attempt to save her life as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a unassisted home delivery, a court has been told.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named the doula when she gave birth to her son at her home in Melbourne home on the 29th of September.

The baby boy was well, but Warnecke's condition worsened suddenly and an ambulance was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was informed on this week.

Paramedics discovered the woman looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the floor near the birthing pool, counsel assisting the court stated.

The patient was transported to Frankston hospital but could not be saved.

Authorities believe she died from complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, the counsel explained.

The hospital’s supply of her blood group was entirely depleted during medical teams' attempts to save her, the inquest was told.

This incident was notified to authorities, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to detectives, but Lal refused.

When officers went to inspect the residence the following day, they also found the property had been deep cleaned by the doula.

Choices Around Prenatal Healthcare

The woman chose not to receive any health care during her pregnancy, including refusing scan appointments and consultations with a midwife or doctor.

The expectant mother desired to give birth at home and engaged the doula, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

A so-called "wild" birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of registered medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with Lal will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, Ellyard said.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the choices around her delivery plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Inquiry

The court was told that Warnecke was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on social media.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns influenced her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard said.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was facilitating or participating 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 emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for Warnecke, the court was told.

This matter will return to the coroner in the coming months for a procedural update.