Medical Center Exhausted Blood Trying to Rescue Health Influencer's Life Following Free Home Birth, Coroner Hears.

A hospital completely used up a social media health advocate's specific blood group in a vain bid to rescue her as she experienced massive hemorrhaging after a so-called "wild" birth, a court has learned.

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

The baby boy was well, but Warnecke's condition worsened suddenly and an emergency services was called around 4:30 in the morning, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

Ambulance officers arrived to find the woman looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the ground near the water birth tub, the coroner's counsel the court stated.

The patient was transported to Frankston hospital but could not be saved.

The preliminary finding suggests she succumbed to complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, Ellyard explained.

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

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

When officers went to inspect the birth scene the next day, they also found the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.

Choices Around Pregnancy Healthcare

The woman opted not to receive any form of health care during her term, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or doctor.

The expectant mother wanted to deliver at home and engaged the doula, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

A so-called "wild" birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

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

Her views on the healthcare system, the decisions around her birth plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Background and Ongoing Inquiry

The inquest was informed that the woman was a certified dietary consultant who promoted a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those apprehensions shaped her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard said.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home deliveries that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The investigation would be seeking a statement from Lal, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who treated Warnecke, Ellyard heard.

The case will be back before the coroner’s court in March for a further directions hearing.