Medical Center Exhausted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life Following Unassisted Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A hospital completely used up a wellness influencer's matching blood type in a futile effort to save her life as she suffered catastrophic bleeding after a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed doula named the doula when she gave birth to her baby boy at her Melbourne home on the 29th of September.

The baby boy was well, but the mother's condition worsened suddenly and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was informed on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers discovered Warnecke looking pale and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the inflatable pool, counsel assisting the court stated.

She was transported to the local hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

It is suspected she died from complications following a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard said.

All available reserves of her blood group was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to save her, the inquest was informed.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to investigating officers, but the doula declined to cooperate.

As police went to examine Warnecke’s home the next day, they discovered the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Decisions Regarding Prenatal Care

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

She wanted to give birth at home and engaged the doula, 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 home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

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

The 30-year-old’s thoughts on the medical establishment, the decisions around her birth plan and broader attitudes following the Covid-19 pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.

Background and Ongoing Investigation

The court was told that Warnecke was a certified nutritionist who advocated for a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on social media.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns influenced her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard said.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was involved in home deliveries that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The investigation would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for the patient, Ellyard heard.

This matter will return to the coroner in March for a further directions hearing.