Hospital Exhausted Blood Trying to Save Health Influencer's Life After Free Home Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital completely used up a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a futile bid to rescue her as she bled uncontrollably following a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has learned.

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

Her newborn son was healthy, but the mother's state deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the hearing was informed on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers arrived to find Warnecke looking pale and gasping for air as she was seated on the floor near the birthing pool, counsel assisting the court said.

The patient was taken to the local hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

The preliminary finding suggests she succumbed to severe complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, Ellyard said.

All available reserves of her blood type was completely exhausted during medical teams' attempts to stabilize her, the court was told.

Warnecke’s death was notified to authorities, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to investigating officers, but the doula refused.

When officers went to inspect the birth scene the following day, they discovered the house had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Decisions Around Pregnancy Care

Warnecke opted not to receive any form of prenatal care during her pregnancy, including refusing scan appointments and appointments 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 social media.

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a planned home birth, which involves care from registered health professionals.

Warnecke’s interactions with the doula will be a key part of the official inquest into her death, Ellyard said.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs 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 forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Investigation

The inquest 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 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 announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over allegations she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The coroner would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for Warnecke, Ellyard was told.

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