Hospital Used Up Blood Supply In an Attempt to Rescue Wellness Social Media Figure's Life Following Free Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A hospital completely used up a wellness influencer's specific blood type in a futile effort to save her life as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a unassisted home delivery, a court has heard.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed doula named the doula when she gave birth to her son at her Melbourne home on the 29th of September.

The baby boy was well, but Warnecke's state deteriorated quickly and an emergency services was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was informed on this week.

Emergency medical technicians arrived to find Warnecke looking yellow and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel the court said.

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

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

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was entirely depleted during medical teams' attempts to stabilize her, the court was told.

This incident was notified to authorities, and her husband provided a statement to investigating officers, but the doula refused.

When officers went to inspect the residence the following day, they also found the property had been extensively cleaned by the doula.

Decisions Around Pregnancy Healthcare

The woman elected not to receive any health care during her term, including declining scan appointments and appointments with a qualified midwife or doctor.

The expectant mother desired to deliver at home and contacted the doula, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

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

The relationship and communications with Lal will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her death, Ellyard said.

Her views on the medical establishment, the choices around her delivery plan and wider perspectives following the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.

Context and Current Inquiry

The court was informed that the woman was a certified nutritionist who advocated for a wholesome and “chemical-free” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard added.

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

The investigation would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for the patient, the court heard.

The case will return to the coroner in March for a procedural update.