Medical Center Used Up Blood Supply Trying to Rescue Health Influencer's Life Following Unassisted Home Birth, Inquest Is Told.

A hospital completely used up a wellness influencer's matching blood type in a unsuccessful bid to keep her alive as she experienced massive hemorrhaging following a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has heard.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named the doula when she gave birth to her son at her Melbourne home on 29 September.

The infant was healthy, but the mother's state deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was informed on this week.

Ambulance officers arrived to find Warnecke looking jaundiced and struggling to breathe as she sat on the floor near the birthing pool, counsel assisting the court said.

She was taken to the local hospital but could not be saved.

Authorities believe she succumbed to severe complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, Ellyard said.

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was entirely depleted during medical teams' attempts to stabilize her, the inquest was told.

The fatality was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but Lal refused.

When officers went to examine Warnecke’s home the next day, they also found the house had been deep cleaned by the doula.

Choices Around Prenatal Healthcare

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

The expectant mother planned to give birth at home and engaged the doula, who advertised herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.

A so-called "wild" birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of qualified health professionals.

The relationship and communications with the doula will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel said.

The 30-year-old’s thoughts on the medical establishment, the decisions around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Ongoing Inquiry

The court was informed that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard added.

Earlier this year, 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 coroner would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for Warnecke, the court heard.

The case will be back before the coroner in the coming months for a procedural update.