Medical Center Used Up Blood Supply Trying to Save Health Social Media Figure's Life Following Free Home Birth, Inquest Is Told.

A medical facility completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a unsuccessful effort to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a so-called "wild" birth, a court has heard.

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

Her newborn son was well, but Warnecke's state rapidly declined and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on Wednesday.

Paramedics discovered the woman looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she sat on the ground near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said.

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

Authorities believe she died from severe complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, the counsel said.

The medical center's stock of her blood group was entirely depleted during medical teams' efforts to stabilize her, the inquest was informed.

The fatality was notified to authorities, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

As police went to inspect the birth scene the following day, they discovered the house had been extensively cleaned by the doula.

Choices Regarding Pregnancy Care

Warnecke chose not to receive any form of medical care during her pregnancy, including declining scan appointments and consultations with a midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother planned to deliver at home and engaged the doula, who described herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

A so-called "wild" birth, sometimes called a wild or unassisted birth, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from 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 noted.

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

Background and Ongoing Investigation

The court was told that Warnecke was a qualified dietary consultant who advocated for a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel said.

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

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 be back before the coroner in March for a further directions hearing.