Medical Center Depleted Blood Trying to Save Health Social Media Figure's Life Following Unassisted Home Birth, Inquest Hears.

A medical facility completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a unsuccessful bid to keep her alive as she bled uncontrollably after a unassisted home delivery, a court has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unregulated birth attendant named the doula when she delivered her son at her Melbourne residence on 29 September.

Her newborn son was well, but Warnecke's state deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was called around 4:30 in the morning, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

Emergency medical technicians discovered Warnecke looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the water birth tub, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard stated.

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

It is suspected she succumbed to complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, the counsel explained.

All available reserves of her blood group was completely exhausted during medical teams' attempts to stabilize her, the inquest was informed.

The fatality was reported to police, and her husband gave an account to investigating officers, but Lal refused.

As police went to examine Warnecke’s home the following day, they discovered the house had been extensively cleaned by Lal.

Choices Around Prenatal Care

Warnecke elected not to receive any medical care during her term, including refusing ultrasounds and appointments with a qualified midwife or doctor.

She desired to give birth at home and engaged Lal, who described herself as a free birth “keeper” on online platforms.

An unassisted birth, sometimes called a wild or unassisted birth, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from qualified medical practitioners.

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

Her views on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.

Context and Current Inquiry

The inquest was informed that the woman was a qualified dietary consultant who advocated for a healthy and “chemical-free” lifestyle on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard added.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was involved in home deliveries that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The investigation would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for Warnecke, the court was told.

The case will be back before the coroner in March for a further directions hearing.