Hospital Exhausted Blood Supply Trying to Save Wellness Social Media Figure's Life Following Unassisted Birth, Inquest Hears.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a social media health advocate's matching blood group in a vain effort to save her life as she experienced massive hemorrhaging following a unassisted home delivery, a court has been told.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her son at her Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

Her newborn son was in good health, but Warnecke's state rapidly declined and an ambulance was summoned around 4.30am, the inquest was informed on this week.

Paramedics discovered Warnecke looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the floor near the water birth tub, counsel assisting the court said.

The patient was rushed to Frankston hospital but could not be saved.

It is suspected she died from complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, the counsel explained.

All available reserves of her blood type was fully used up during doctors’ attempts to save her, the court was informed.

This incident was reported to police, and her husband gave an account to investigating officers, but Lal refused.

When officers went to inspect the residence the following day, they also found the house had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.

Decisions Regarding Pregnancy Healthcare

Warnecke opted not to receive any prenatal care during her pregnancy, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a midwife or doctor.

The expectant mother planned to give birth at home and engaged the doula, who described herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

A free birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from qualified health professionals.

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

The 30-year-old’s thoughts on the healthcare system, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes following the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Background and Current Investigation

The inquest was informed that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant 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 apprehensions influenced her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel added.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home births that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The coroner would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated Warnecke, Ellyard heard.

The case will be back before the coroner’s court in March for a further directions hearing.