Hospital Depleted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Save Wellness Social Media Figure's Life After Free Birth, Inquest Hears.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's matching blood type in a unsuccessful effort to save her life as she bled uncontrollably following a so-called "wild" birth, a court has been told.

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

The baby boy was healthy, but the mother's state rapidly declined and an emergency services was called around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was told on Wednesday.

Paramedics discovered the woman looking jaundiced and gasping for air as she sat on the floor near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard stated.

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

It is suspected she died from complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard said.

All available reserves of her blood group was completely exhausted during doctors’ efforts to save her, the inquest was told.

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

As police went to inspect the residence the following day, they also found the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.

Choices Around Pregnancy Care

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

She wanted to give birth at home and contacted the doula, who described herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

A free birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of registered medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with the doula will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her death, Ellyard noted.

Her beliefs on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Inquiry

The inquest was told that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who advocated for a healthy and “natural” way of life on her online channels.

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

Earlier this year, the state health regulator issued a warning that it was looking into the doula's activities over allegations she was involved in home births that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The investigation would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for Warnecke, the court was told.

This matter will be back before the coroner’s court in the coming months for a further directions hearing.