Hospital Exhausted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Save Health Influencer's Life After Unassisted Birth, Inquest Is Told.

A hospital depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a futile effort to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has been told.

The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed doula named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her son at her Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

Her newborn son was healthy, but Warnecke's condition deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was called around 4:30 in the morning, the Victorian coroner’s court was informed on Wednesday.

Emergency medical technicians discovered Warnecke looking pale and struggling to breathe as she sat on the floor near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel the court stated.

She was transported to Frankston hospital but could not be saved.

Authorities believe she succumbed to severe complications following a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard explained.

The medical center's stock of her blood type was completely exhausted during medical teams' attempts to stabilize her, the court was told.

This incident was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

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

Decisions Regarding Pregnancy Care

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

She desired to deliver at home and engaged Lal, who described herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.

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 health professionals.

The relationship and communications with the doula will be a key part of the official inquest into her passing, Ellyard 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 future inquest.

Background and Current Inquiry

The inquest was told that Warnecke was a certified nutritionist who advocated for a healthy and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard added.

Earlier this year, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was looking into the doula's activities over allegations she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The investigation would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated the patient, the court heard.

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