Hospital Used Up Blood In an Attempt to Save Health Influencer's Life After Free Home Birth, Coroner Hears.

A medical facility completely used up a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a futile effort to rescue her as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a free birth, a court has been told.

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

The infant was healthy, but Warnecke's condition rapidly declined and an emergency services was called around 4.30am, the hearing was informed on Wednesday.

Paramedics arrived to find the woman looking pale and gasping for air as she was seated on the ground near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard stated.

She was taken to Frankston hospital but could not be saved.

The preliminary finding suggests she succumbed to complications after a post-birth hemorrhage, the counsel explained.

All available reserves of her blood group was entirely depleted during medical teams' attempts to save her, the inquest was told.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine the residence the next day, they also found the property had been extensively cleaned by Lal.

Decisions Around Pregnancy Healthcare

Warnecke elected not to receive any prenatal care during her pregnancy, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother wanted to give birth at home and engaged Lal, who described herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of qualified health professionals.

The relationship and communications with the doula will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel noted.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Ongoing Inquiry

The inquest was told that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “natural” way of life on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel said.

Earlier this year, the state health regulator issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home deliveries that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The coroner would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for Warnecke, Ellyard was told.

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