Medical Center Used Up Blood Trying to Rescue Health Influencer's Life After Unassisted Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's matching blood type in a vain effort to keep her alive as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a unassisted home delivery, a court has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, her husband, and an unregulated doula named Emily Lal when she delivered her son at her home in Melbourne residence on 29 September.

Her newborn son was healthy, but the mother's condition rapidly declined and an emergency services was summoned around 4.30am, the hearing was told on this week.

Ambulance officers discovered Warnecke looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel the court stated.

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

Authorities believe she died from severe complications after a postpartum haemorrhage, Ellyard said.

The hospital’s supply of her blood group was completely exhausted during doctors’ attempts to save her, the court was told.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and her husband gave an account to investigating officers, but the doula declined to cooperate.

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

Choices Regarding Pregnancy Care

Warnecke chose not to receive any medical care during her pregnancy, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or doctor.

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

An unassisted birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, differs 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 coroner’s investigation into her death, the counsel said.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the healthcare system, the decisions around her birth plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.

Background and Current Inquiry

The court was informed that the woman was a qualified nutritionist who advocated for a healthy and “natural” way of life on social media.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns influenced her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard added.

In October, the state health regulator announced that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was involved in home deliveries that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The investigation would be seeking a statement from Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for the patient, the court was told.

This matter will return to the coroner’s court in the coming months for a further directions hearing.