Hospital Depleted Blood Trying to Rescue Health Social Media Figure's Life Following Free Home Birth, Inquest Is Told.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a unsuccessful bid to save her life as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a unassisted home delivery, a court has learned.

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

Her newborn son was in good health, but Warnecke's state rapidly declined and an ambulance was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was informed on this week.

Ambulance officers arrived to find Warnecke looking pale and struggling to breathe as she sat on the ground near the inflatable pool, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard said.

The patient was taken to the local hospital but her life could not be saved.

The preliminary finding suggests she succumbed to severe complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, Ellyard explained.

The hospital’s supply of her blood group was completely exhausted during medical teams' efforts to save her, the inquest was told.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and her husband provided a statement to investigating officers, but Lal declined to cooperate.

As police went to examine the residence the next day, they discovered the house had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Choices Around Pregnancy Healthcare

Warnecke opted not to receive any form of medical care during her pregnancy, including refusing scan appointments and appointments with a midwife or doctor.

The expectant mother desired to give birth at home and engaged Lal, who advertised herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

A free birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from registered health professionals.

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

Her beliefs on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Ongoing Investigation

The court was informed that Warnecke was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “natural” way of life on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard said.

In October, 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 pose a danger to women and infants.

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 was told.

This matter will be back before the coroner in March for a procedural update.