A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's matching blood group in a vain bid to rescue her as she bled uncontrollably following a free birth, a coroner's inquest has learned.
Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed doula named the doula when she gave birth to her son at her home in Melbourne home on 29 September.
Her newborn son was in good health, but Warnecke's condition deteriorated quickly and an emergency services was called around 4.30am, the hearing was told on Wednesday.
Ambulance officers discovered Warnecke looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel the court stated.
The patient was taken to Frankston hospital but doctors were unable to save her.
It is suspected she succumbed to complications after a post-birth hemorrhage, Ellyard said.
The hospital’s supply of her blood type was fully used up during doctors’ attempts to save her, the inquest was told.
Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and her husband provided a statement to investigating officers, but the doula declined to cooperate.
When officers went to inspect the birth scene the following day, they also found the property had been extensively cleaned by Lal.
Decisions Regarding Pregnancy Care
Warnecke elected not to receive any form of medical care during her pregnancy, including refusing scan appointments and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.
She desired to give birth at home and contacted the doula, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.
A so-called "wild" birth, sometimes called a wild or unassisted birth, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from registered health professionals.
The relationship and communications with the doula will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, Ellyard noted.
The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes following the global pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.
Background and Ongoing Inquiry
The court was told that Warnecke was a qualified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “natural” way of life on her online channels.
Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, counsel added.
Earlier this year, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was involved 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 Warnecke, Ellyard heard.
The case will return to the coroner in March for a procedural update.
