Medical Center Depleted Blood Supply Trying to Save Wellness Social Media Figure's Life Following Unassisted Home Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a futile effort to save her life as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a so-called "wild" birth, a court has learned.

Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unregulated doula named the doula when she delivered her son at her home in Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

The baby boy was well, but Warnecke's state worsened suddenly and an emergency services was called around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

Emergency medical technicians arrived to find the woman looking jaundiced and gasping for air as she was seated on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel the court said.

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

The preliminary finding suggests she succumbed to severe complications following a massive bleeding after childbirth, the counsel said.

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to stabilize her, the inquest was informed.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and her husband gave an account to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine Warnecke’s home the next day, they discovered the house had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.

Decisions Around Prenatal Care

The woman chose not to receive any form of prenatal care during her pregnancy, including declining scan appointments and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother planned to deliver at home and engaged the doula, who described herself as a free birth “keeper” on online platforms.

A free 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.

The relationship and communications with the doula will form part of the official inquest into her death, the counsel said.

Her views on the healthcare system, the choices around her birth plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Ongoing Inquiry

The inquest was informed that the woman was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on her online channels.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those apprehensions influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, counsel said.

Earlier this year, 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 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.

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