Medical Center Depleted Blood In an Attempt to Save Wellness Influencer's Life Following Unassisted Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a futile bid to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a so-called "wild" birth, a coroner's inquest has heard.

The 30-year-old woman, 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named the doula when she delivered her baby boy at her home in Melbourne residence on 29 September.

The baby boy was in good health, but the mother's condition deteriorated quickly and an emergency services was called around 4.30am, the hearing was told on Wednesday.

Emergency medical technicians discovered the woman looking pale and struggling to breathe as she was seated on the floor near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel the court stated.

She was transported to Frankston hospital but her life could not be saved.

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

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to save her, the inquest was informed.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to investigating officers, but the doula declined to cooperate.

As police went to examine the birth scene the next day, they also found the house had been extensively cleaned by the doula.

Choices Regarding Prenatal Healthcare

Warnecke elected not to receive any health care during her pregnancy, including refusing ultrasounds and appointments with a qualified midwife or doctor.

The expectant mother planned to give birth at home and contacted the doula, who described 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 qualified medical practitioners.

The relationship and communications with Lal will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her death, Ellyard noted.

Her thoughts on the medical establishment, the decisions around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.

Background and Current Investigation

The court was informed that the woman was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle 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.

In October, the state health regulator issued a warning 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 seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for the patient, Ellyard was told.

The case will return to the coroner’s court in the coming months for a further directions hearing.