Medical Center Exhausted Blood Trying to Save Wellness Influencer's Life Following Free Birth, Coroner Hears.

A hospital depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's matching blood type in a vain bid to keep her alive as she bled uncontrollably following a so-called "wild" birth, a court has heard.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was accompanied by her spouse, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named the doula when she delivered her son at her Melbourne home 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 inquest was informed on this week.

Ambulance officers arrived to find Warnecke looking pale and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said.

She was taken to the local hospital but could not be saved.

It is suspected she succumbed to complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, the counsel explained.

The medical center's stock of her blood type was fully used up during medical teams' attempts to save her, the court was informed.

The fatality was notified to authorities, and her husband gave an account to detectives, but the doula refused.

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

Decisions Around Pregnancy Care

The woman elected not to receive any health care during her pregnancy, including declining ultrasounds and consultations with a midwife or obstetrician.

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

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of qualified health professionals.

Warnecke’s interactions with Lal will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her death, the counsel noted.

Her views on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Ongoing Investigation

The inquest was informed that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel added.

Earlier this year, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home deliveries that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The coroner would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated Warnecke, Ellyard heard.

The case will return to the coroner in March for a further directions hearing.