Medical Center Exhausted Blood In an Attempt to Rescue Health Influencer's Life Following Free Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A medical facility exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a unsuccessful effort to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a free birth, a court has been told.

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

The baby boy was in good health, but Warnecke's condition worsened suddenly and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

Paramedics discovered the woman looking pale and gasping for air as she was seated on the floor near the water birth tub, counsel assisting the court said.

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

The preliminary finding suggests she died from severe complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, the counsel explained.

All available reserves of her blood group was fully used up during medical teams' attempts to save her, the inquest was informed.

The fatality was notified to authorities, and her husband gave an account to investigating officers, but Lal declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine the birth scene the next day, they also found the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Choices Around Pregnancy Healthcare

The woman chose not to receive any medical care during her pregnancy, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a midwife or doctor.

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

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from qualified health professionals.

The relationship and communications with the doula will form part of the official inquest into her passing, the counsel noted.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Ongoing Inquiry

The court was informed that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “chemical-free” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those apprehensions influenced her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard said.

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

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

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