Medical Center Used Up Blood Trying to Rescue Wellness Social Media Figure's Life After Free Home Birth, Inquest Hears.

A medical facility exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's specific blood group in a unsuccessful bid to keep her alive as she suffered catastrophic bleeding after a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed doula named Emily Lal when she delivered her baby boy at her home in Melbourne home on 29 September.

The infant was in good health, but the mother's condition rapidly declined and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the inquest was informed on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers discovered Warnecke looking yellow and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard stated.

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

It is suspected she died from complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, the counsel explained.

The medical center's stock of her blood group was completely exhausted during doctors’ attempts to stabilize her, the court was informed.

This incident was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but the doula refused.

When officers went to inspect Warnecke’s home the following day, they discovered the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Choices Regarding Pregnancy Care

The woman opted not to receive any health care during her pregnancy, including refusing scan appointments and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother planned to deliver at home and engaged Lal, who also promoted herself as a free birth “keeper” 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.

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

The 30-year-old’s thoughts on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Background and Current Inquiry

The court was told that the woman was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, counsel added.

Earlier this year, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was looking into the doula's activities over allegations she was involved in home births that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The coroner would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated Warnecke, Ellyard was told.

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