Hospital Exhausted Blood Supply Trying to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life After Free Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a unsuccessful effort to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging following a free birth, a coroner's inquest has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unregulated birth attendant named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her son at her home in Melbourne home on the 29th of September.

The infant was in good health, but Warnecke's condition deteriorated quickly and an emergency services was called around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

Paramedics arrived to find the woman looking jaundiced and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the ground near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel the court said.

The patient was transported to the local hospital but could not be saved.

Authorities believe she died from complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, the counsel explained.

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to stabilize her, the inquest was told.

Warnecke’s death was notified to authorities, and her husband gave an account to detectives, but the doula refused.

When officers went to examine Warnecke’s home the next day, they also found the house had been extensively cleaned by the doula.

Decisions Regarding Prenatal Healthcare

Warnecke elected not to receive any form of prenatal care during her pregnancy, including declining ultrasounds and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

She wanted to deliver at home and contacted Lal, who also promoted herself as a free birth “keeper” on online platforms.

An unassisted birth, sometimes called a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with the doula will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel said.

Her views on the healthcare system, the choices around her delivery plan and broader attitudes following the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.

Context and Ongoing Inquiry

The court was told that the woman was a qualified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “natural” lifestyle on social media.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those apprehensions influenced her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, counsel said.

In October, the state health regulator announced that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was involved in home births that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The investigation would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who treated the patient, the court heard.

The case will return to the coroner’s court in March for a further directions hearing.