Medical Center Exhausted Blood Supply Trying to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life After Free Home Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital completely used up a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a unsuccessful bid to keep her alive as she bled uncontrollably after a free birth, a coroner's inquest has been told.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed doula named the doula when she delivered her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

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

Ambulance officers arrived to find Warnecke looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she sat on the ground near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said.

The patient was rushed to the local hospital but her life could not be saved.

It is suspected she died from complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, the counsel explained.

The medical center's stock of her blood group was fully used up during doctors’ efforts to stabilize her, the inquest was told.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to investigating officers, but Lal declined to cooperate.

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

Choices Around Prenatal Healthcare

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

The expectant mother planned to deliver at home and contacted Lal, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

A free birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from qualified medical practitioners.

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

The 30-year-old’s views on the medical establishment, the decisions around her birth plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Context and Ongoing Investigation

The inquest was told that the woman was a qualified dietary consultant who advocated for a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those apprehensions shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel said.

In October, the state health regulator 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 investigation would be seeking a statement from Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for Warnecke, Ellyard was told.

The case will be back before the coroner in the coming months for a procedural update.