Medical Center Used Up Blood Supply Trying to Save Wellness Influencer's Life After Unassisted Birth, Coroner Hears.

A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's specific blood group in a vain effort to keep her alive as she bled uncontrollably after a so-called "wild" birth, a court has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, 30, was accompanied by her spouse, her husband, and an unlicensed birth attendant named the doula when she gave birth to her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on 29 September.

Her newborn son was in good health, but the mother's state worsened suddenly and an emergency services was called around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

Ambulance officers discovered the woman looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the ground near the water birth tub, counsel assisting the court stated.

The patient was rushed to the local hospital but her life could not be saved.

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

The medical center's stock of her blood group was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to save her, the court was told.

This incident was notified to authorities, and her husband gave an account to investigating officers, but the doula refused.

When officers went to inspect the birth scene the following day, they also found the property had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Choices Around Prenatal Healthcare

Warnecke opted not to receive any form of health care during her pregnancy, including refusing ultrasounds and appointments with a qualified midwife or doctor.

She wanted to deliver at home and contacted 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, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of registered medical practitioners.

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

The 30-year-old’s views on the healthcare system, the decisions around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Context and Ongoing Inquiry

The inquest was informed that Warnecke was a certified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel said.

In October, the state health regulator 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 coroner would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for Warnecke, the court was told.

The case will return to the coroner’s court in the coming months for a procedural update.