Medical Center Depleted Blood Supply Trying to Rescue Health Influencer's Life After Unassisted Birth, Coroner Is Told.
A medical facility completely used up a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a vain bid to save her life as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a unassisted home delivery, a court has heard.
Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, her husband, and an unregulated doula named the doula when she gave birth to her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on 29 September.
The infant was healthy, but Warnecke's state worsened suddenly and an ambulance was summoned around 4.30am, the hearing was informed on Wednesday.
Ambulance officers arrived to find the woman looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the ground near the birthing pool, counsel assisting the court stated.
The patient was transported to Frankston hospital but doctors were unable to save her.
The preliminary finding suggests she succumbed to complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard said.
All available reserves of her blood group was fully used up during medical teams' attempts to stabilize her, the inquest was informed.
This incident was notified to authorities, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to detectives, but Lal declined to cooperate.
As police went to inspect Warnecke’s home the next day, they discovered the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.
Decisions Around Pregnancy Care
The woman opted not to receive any form of health care during her pregnancy, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.
The expectant mother desired to deliver at home and engaged Lal, who described herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.
A free birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, is distinct 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 official inquest into her passing, the counsel noted.
The 30-year-old’s views on the healthcare system, the decisions around her delivery plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.
Context and Ongoing Inquiry
The court was informed that Warnecke was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” lifestyle on social media.
Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those apprehensions shaped her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, counsel said.
In October, the state health regulator issued a warning that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was involved in home deliveries that could put mothers and babies at risk.
The coroner would be seeking a statement from Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for Warnecke, the court heard.
The case will return to the coroner’s court in March for a further directions hearing.
