Hospital Depleted Blood In an Attempt to Save Wellness Social Media Figure's Life After Free Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's specific blood group in a vain attempt to rescue her as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a free birth, a court has heard.

The 30-year-old woman, 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unlicensed doula named Emily Lal when she delivered her son at her Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

The baby boy was healthy, but Warnecke's condition deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the hearing was told on this week.

Paramedics arrived to find the woman looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the ground near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said.

The patient was rushed to the local hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

Authorities believe she succumbed to severe complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, Ellyard explained.

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

The fatality was notified to authorities, and her husband provided a statement to investigating officers, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine Warnecke’s home the next day, they also found the house had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Choices Regarding Prenatal Care

The woman chose not to receive any form of prenatal care during her term, including declining scan appointments and appointments with a qualified midwife or doctor.

The expectant mother wanted to give birth at home and engaged Lal, who described herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.

An unassisted birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

The relationship and communications with Lal will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, Ellyard said.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the decisions around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Inquiry

The inquest was told that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “chemical-free” way of life on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard said.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over concerns 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 Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for the patient, the court was told.

This matter will be back before the coroner’s court in the coming months for a procedural update.