Hospital Exhausted Blood Supply Trying to Save Wellness Influencer's Life Following Unassisted Birth, Coroner Hears.

A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a futile effort to keep her alive as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has heard.

The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, Nathan Warnecke, and an unregulated birth attendant named Emily Lal when she delivered her son at her Melbourne residence on 29 September.

The baby boy was healthy, but the mother's condition deteriorated quickly 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 pale and struggling to breathe as she sat on the ground near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel the court said.

The patient was taken to Frankston hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

It is suspected she died from complications after a postpartum haemorrhage, Ellyard explained.

All available reserves of her blood group was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to stabilize her, the court was informed.

Warnecke’s death was notified to authorities, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but the doula refused.

As police went to inspect the residence the next day, they discovered the property had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Choices Around Prenatal Healthcare

Warnecke opted not to receive any form of health care during her term, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.

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

A free birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

The relationship and communications with the doula will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel noted.

Her thoughts on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Current Investigation

The court was informed that the woman was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” lifestyle on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those apprehensions shaped her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard said.

In October, the state health regulator issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was involved 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 emergency responders and hospital staff who treated the patient, Ellyard was told.

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