Medical Center Exhausted Blood Trying to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life After Unassisted Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital depleted its entire stock of a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a vain bid to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a so-called "wild" birth, a coroner's inquest has been told.

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

The infant was well, but the mother's condition worsened suddenly and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the inquest was informed on this week.

Paramedics arrived to find Warnecke looking pale and gasping for air as she was seated on the floor near the water birth tub, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard stated.

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

The preliminary finding suggests she died from complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, the counsel said.

All available reserves of her blood type was fully used up during doctors’ attempts to save her, the court was told.

The fatality was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but Lal refused.

As police went to inspect the residence the next day, they also found the house had been deep cleaned by the doula.

Decisions Regarding Prenatal Care

The woman elected not to receive any medical care during her term, including declining ultrasounds and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother wanted to deliver at home and engaged Lal, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

A free birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of qualified health professionals.

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

Her beliefs on the healthcare system, the choices around her delivery plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Current Investigation

The court was informed that the woman was a qualified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “chemical-free” way of life on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those concerns influenced her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, 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 births that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The coroner would be seeking a statement from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who cared for Warnecke, Ellyard was told.

The case will be back before the coroner in the coming months for a further directions hearing.