Hospital Depleted Blood In an Attempt to Save Wellness Influencer's Life Following Free Home Birth, Coroner Hears.

A medical facility depleted its entire stock of a wellness influencer's matching blood group in a futile bid to save her life as she experienced massive hemorrhaging following a so-called "wild" birth, a court has learned.

The 30-year-old woman, 30, was accompanied by her spouse, her husband, and an unregulated doula named the doula when she delivered her son at her home in Melbourne residence on the 29th of September.

The baby boy was healthy, but Warnecke's condition deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on Wednesday.

Emergency medical technicians discovered Warnecke looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel the court said.

The patient was transported to Frankston hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

Authorities believe she succumbed to complications following a postpartum haemorrhage, Ellyard said.

The medical center's stock of her blood group was completely exhausted during medical teams' attempts to save her, the inquest was informed.

Warnecke’s death was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to detectives, but Lal refused.

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

Choices Around Prenatal Care

The woman chose not to receive any prenatal care during her pregnancy, including declining ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or doctor.

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

A so-called "wild" birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a home delivery with professional support, which involves care from qualified health professionals.

The relationship and communications with Lal will be a key part of the official inquest into her passing, Ellyard noted.

Her thoughts on the medical establishment, the decisions around her birth plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Background and Ongoing Investigation

The inquest was told that the woman was a qualified nutritionist who promoted a healthy and “natural” way of life on her online channels.

Evidence suggests she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard added.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home births that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The coroner would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated Warnecke, Ellyard was told.

The case will return to the coroner’s court in March for a procedural update.