Medical Center Depleted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Save Wellness Influencer's Life After Unassisted Birth, Inquest Hears.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a futile attempt to save her life as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a free birth, a court has heard.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed birth attendant named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her baby boy at her home in Melbourne home on the 29th of September.

Her newborn son was in good health, but the mother's condition deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was called around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was informed on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers arrived to find the woman looking pale and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the floor near the birthing pool, counsel assisting the court said.

The patient was rushed to the local hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

The preliminary finding suggests she died from complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, Ellyard said.

The medical center's stock of her blood type was entirely depleted during medical teams' attempts to save her, the inquest was informed.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and her husband gave an account to investigating officers, but Lal declined to cooperate.

When officers went to inspect the birth scene the next day, they discovered the house had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Decisions Around Prenatal Care

Warnecke chose not to receive any medical care during her pregnancy, including declining scan appointments and appointments with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.

She planned to deliver at home and contacted Lal, who advertised herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with Lal will form part of the official inquest into her passing, Ellyard said.

Her views on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Current Inquiry

The inquest was informed that Warnecke was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a wholesome and “chemical-free” way of life on her online channels.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those apprehensions influenced her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard added.

Earlier this year, the state health regulator announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over allegations she was involved in home deliveries that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The coroner would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for the patient, Ellyard heard.

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