🔗 Share this article Medical Center Used Up Blood Supply Trying to Save Health Social Media Figure's Life After Unassisted Home Birth, Inquest Hears. A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a vain effort to keep her alive as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a so-called "wild" birth, a court has learned. Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed doula named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on 29 September. The baby boy was in good health, but Warnecke's condition worsened suddenly and an emergency services was summoned around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was informed on Wednesday. Emergency medical technicians discovered the woman looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the floor near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said. She was transported to Frankston hospital but could not be saved. Authorities believe she succumbed to complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, the counsel said. All available reserves of her blood type was fully used up during doctors’ attempts to save her, the court was told. This incident was notified to authorities, and her husband provided a statement to detectives, but Lal refused. When officers went to inspect Warnecke’s home the next day, they also found the house had been extensively cleaned by the doula. Choices Regarding Prenatal Care Warnecke chose not to receive any health care during her pregnancy, including declining ultrasounds and consultations with a midwife or obstetrician. The expectant mother planned to give birth at home and engaged Lal, 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 home delivery with professional support, which involves care from registered medical practitioners. Warnecke’s interactions with the doula will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel said. Her beliefs on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest. Context and Ongoing Inquiry The court was told that the woman was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on her online channels. Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard added. Earlier this year, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was involved in home deliveries that could pose a danger to women and infants. The investigation would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who treated the patient, the court was told. This matter will be back before the coroner in the coming months for a procedural update.
A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a vain effort to keep her alive as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a so-called "wild" birth, a court has learned. Stacey Warnecke, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed doula named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on 29 September. The baby boy was in good health, but Warnecke's condition worsened suddenly and an emergency services was summoned around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was informed on Wednesday. Emergency medical technicians discovered the woman looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the floor near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said. She was transported to Frankston hospital but could not be saved. Authorities believe she succumbed to complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, the counsel said. All available reserves of her blood type was fully used up during doctors’ attempts to save her, the court was told. This incident was notified to authorities, and her husband provided a statement to detectives, but Lal refused. When officers went to inspect Warnecke’s home the next day, they also found the house had been extensively cleaned by the doula. Choices Regarding Prenatal Care Warnecke chose not to receive any health care during her pregnancy, including declining ultrasounds and consultations with a midwife or obstetrician. The expectant mother planned to give birth at home and engaged Lal, 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 home delivery with professional support, which involves care from registered medical practitioners. Warnecke’s interactions with the doula will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel said. Her beliefs on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest. Context and Ongoing Inquiry The court was told that the woman was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on her online channels. Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns influenced her choices during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard added. Earlier this year, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was involved in home deliveries that could pose a danger to women and infants. The investigation would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who treated the patient, the court was told. This matter will be back before the coroner in the coming months for a procedural update.