Hospital Exhausted Blood In an Attempt to Rescue Wellness Social Media Figure's Life Following Free Birth, Inquest Hears.

A medical facility completely used up a wellness influencer's matching blood group in a unsuccessful bid to keep her alive as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a so-called "wild" birth, a court has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed birth attendant named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her son at her Melbourne residence on 29 September.

The infant was healthy, but Warnecke's condition worsened suddenly and an ambulance was summoned around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on Wednesday.

Paramedics arrived to find Warnecke looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she sat on the floor near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard stated.

The patient was transported to Frankston hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

The preliminary finding suggests she died from severe complications following a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard explained.

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was entirely depleted during medical teams' efforts to save her, the inquest was told.

This incident was notified to authorities, and her husband provided a statement to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine the residence the following day, they discovered the house had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Decisions Around Prenatal Healthcare

The woman chose not to receive any health care during her term, including refusing ultrasounds and appointments with a qualified midwife or doctor.

She wanted to give birth at home and contacted the doula, who advertised herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

A free birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of qualified health professionals.

Warnecke’s interactions with Lal will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her death, Ellyard said.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the healthcare system, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes following the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Current Investigation

The court was informed that the woman was a qualified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those apprehensions influenced 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 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 the patient, Ellyard was told.

The case will be back before the coroner’s court in March for a procedural update.