Hospital Exhausted Blood Supply Trying to Save Health Influencer's Life After Unassisted Home Birth, Inquest Is Told.

A hospital completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a unsuccessful bid to rescue her as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has heard.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was accompanied by her spouse, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named the doula when she delivered her son at her home in Melbourne home on 29 September.

Her newborn son was healthy, but the mother's condition deteriorated quickly and an emergency services was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was informed on Wednesday.

Emergency medical technicians arrived to find the woman looking pale and gasping for air as she sat on the floor near the birthing pool, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard stated.

She was rushed to Frankston hospital but her life could not be saved.

It is suspected she succumbed to severe complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, Ellyard said.

All available reserves of her blood group was entirely depleted during doctors’ attempts to stabilize her, the inquest was informed.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to detectives, but Lal refused.

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

Choices Around Pregnancy Care

The woman opted not to receive any form of health care during her term, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother wanted to give birth at home and engaged the doula, who also promoted herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a home delivery with professional support, which involves care from qualified medical practitioners.

The relationship and communications with the doula will form part of the official inquest into her death, Ellyard noted.

The 30-year-old’s views on the healthcare system, the choices around her birth plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Investigation

The inquest was told that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “natural” way of life on her online channels.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel said.

Earlier this year, the state health regulator announced that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

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 procedural update.