Medical Center Depleted Blood In an Attempt to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life Following Unassisted Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital completely used up a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a unsuccessful attempt to rescue her as she bled uncontrollably after a free birth, a court has heard.

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

Her newborn son was well, but the mother's state rapidly declined and an ambulance was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the Victorian coroner’s court was informed on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers arrived to find Warnecke looking pale and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the ground near the water birth tub, 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 succumbed to severe complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, the counsel said.

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

This incident was reported to police, and her husband gave an account to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine the birth scene the next day, they discovered the house had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Choices Regarding Pregnancy Care

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

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

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, 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 coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel noted.

Her beliefs on the healthcare system, the choices around her delivery plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Context and Current Inquiry

The court was told that the woman was a certified nutritionist who advocated for a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those apprehensions shaped her decision-making 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 facilitating or participating in home births that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The investigation would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated the patient, Ellyard was told.

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