Medical Center Depleted Blood Supply Trying to Save Wellness Influencer's Life Following Free Birth, Inquest Is Told.

A medical facility exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a vain bid to save her life as she bled uncontrollably after a free birth, a coroner's inquest has been told.

The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unregulated birth attendant named Emily Lal when she delivered her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

The baby boy was healthy, but Warnecke's state rapidly declined and an emergency services was summoned around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was informed on this week.

Emergency medical technicians arrived to find the woman looking yellow and gasping for air as she was seated on the ground near the water birth tub, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard stated.

She was rushed to the local hospital but her life could not be saved.

Authorities believe she died from complications after a post-birth hemorrhage, Ellyard said.

The medical center's stock of her blood type was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to stabilize her, the inquest was informed.

The fatality was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but Lal refused.

As police went to inspect the birth scene the following day, they discovered the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.

Choices Regarding Pregnancy Healthcare

Warnecke elected not to receive any form of medical care during her term, including declining ultrasounds and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

She desired to give birth at home and contacted Lal, who advertised herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

An unassisted birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which involves care from qualified medical practitioners.

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

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the healthcare system, the choices around her birth plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Background and Current Investigation

The court was informed that the woman was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “natural” way of life on social media.

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those apprehensions influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard added.

In October, the state health regulator announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was involved in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The coroner would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who treated Warnecke, the court was told.

This matter will return to the coroner’s court in March for a further directions hearing.