Medical Center Used Up Blood Trying to Rescue Health Influencer's Life Following Free Birth, Coroner Hears.

A medical facility exhausted its supply of a wellness influencer's matching blood type in a futile attempt to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging following a free birth, a coroner's inquest has heard.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 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 the mother's condition worsened suddenly and an emergency services was summoned around 4.30am, the inquest was informed on Wednesday.

Emergency medical technicians arrived to find Warnecke looking pale and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the ground near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard stated.

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

Authorities believe she succumbed to complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard said.

The hospital’s supply of her blood group was fully used up during doctors’ attempts to save her, the court was told.

This incident was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine the residence the next day, they also found the property had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Decisions Regarding Prenatal Healthcare

The woman opted not to receive any medical care during her term, including declining ultrasounds and appointments with a midwife or doctor.

She wanted to deliver at home and engaged Lal, who described herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

An unassisted birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, differs from a home delivery with professional support, which involves care from registered medical practitioners.

The relationship and communications with the doula will be a key part of the official inquest into her passing, Ellyard said.

The 30-year-old’s views on the healthcare system, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.

Background and Ongoing Inquiry

The inquest was told that Warnecke was a qualified dietary consultant who advocated for a healthy and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel added.

In October, the state health regulator announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The investigation would be seeking a statement from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for the patient, Ellyard was told.

This matter will be back before the coroner in the coming months for a further directions hearing.