Hospital Used Up Blood Supply Trying to Save Wellness Influencer's Life After Free Birth, Coroner Is Told.
A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a vain attempt to keep her alive as she bled uncontrollably following a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has heard.
The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unregulated birth attendant named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her son at her home in Melbourne residence on 29 September.
Her newborn son was healthy, but Warnecke's state worsened suddenly and an ambulance was summoned around 4.30am, the hearing was told on Wednesday.
Emergency medical technicians arrived to find the woman looking yellow and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel the court said.
The patient was rushed to Frankston hospital but her life could not be saved.
The preliminary finding suggests she died from complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard said.
All available reserves of her blood type was entirely depleted during medical teams' efforts to save her, the court was informed.
Warnecke’s death was notified to authorities, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to detectives, but Lal refused.
When officers went to examine the birth scene the following day, they also found the property had been deep cleaned by the doula.
Choices Regarding Prenatal Healthcare
The woman opted not to receive any form of health care during her term, including declining scan appointments and appointments with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.
The expectant mother desired to give birth at home and engaged Lal, who advertised herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.
A free birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a home delivery with professional support, 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 healthcare system, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes following the global pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.
Background and Current Inquiry
The inquest was informed that the woman was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.
Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those apprehensions shaped her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel said.
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 births that could put mothers and babies at risk.
The coroner would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated Warnecke, the court was told.
This matter will return to the coroner in the coming months for a further directions hearing.