Medical Center Exhausted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Save Wellness Influencer's Life After Free Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A hospital exhausted its supply of a wellness influencer's specific blood group in a vain bid to save her life as she suffered catastrophic bleeding after a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has heard.

The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed doula named the doula when she delivered her son at her home in Melbourne residence on 29 September.

The infant was healthy, but the mother's condition deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was called around 4:30 in the morning, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on Wednesday.

Ambulance officers discovered Warnecke looking yellow and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the floor near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said.

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

Authorities believe she died from complications after a postpartum haemorrhage, Ellyard explained.

The medical center's stock of her blood type was fully used up during doctors’ attempts to stabilize her, the court was informed.

The fatality was reported to police, and her husband provided a statement to detectives, but Lal refused.

As police went to examine the birth scene the next day, they discovered the house had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Decisions Around Pregnancy Healthcare

Warnecke elected not to receive any health care during her pregnancy, including refusing scan appointments and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother planned to give birth at home and engaged the doula, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of registered medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with Lal will form part of the official inquest into her death, the counsel said.

Her thoughts 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 informed that the woman was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “natural” way of life on social media.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns influenced her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel said.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The coroner would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for Warnecke, the court heard.

This matter will return to the coroner in March for a procedural update.