Medical Center Used Up Blood In an Attempt to Rescue Health Social Media Figure's Life Following Unassisted Birth, Coroner Hears.

A hospital depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a futile effort to keep her alive as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a unassisted home delivery, a court has heard.

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

The baby boy was well, but Warnecke's condition deteriorated quickly and an emergency services was called around 4:30 in the morning, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

Emergency medical technicians arrived to find Warnecke looking yellow and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the ground near the water birth tub, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard said.

She was rushed to the local hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

The preliminary finding suggests she died from complications after a postpartum haemorrhage, the counsel said.

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was completely exhausted during medical teams' efforts to save her, the inquest was informed.

The fatality was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to investigating officers, but the doula declined to cooperate.

As police went to examine the residence the next day, they discovered the property had been extensively cleaned by Lal.

Choices Regarding Pregnancy Healthcare

Warnecke opted not to receive any prenatal 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 Lal, who described herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.

A free birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which involves care from registered medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with Lal will form part of the official inquest into her passing, the counsel said.

Her beliefs on the medical establishment, the choices around her delivery plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Current Investigation

The inquest was informed that Warnecke was a qualified nutritionist who advocated for a healthy and “chemical-free” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those apprehensions influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, counsel added.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The coroner would be seeking a statement from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who treated the patient, Ellyard heard.

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