Hospital Used Up Blood Trying to Rescue Wellness Social Media Figure's Life After Free Birth, Coroner Hears.

A hospital depleted its entire stock of a social media health advocate's specific blood type in a unsuccessful bid to rescue her as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has learned.

The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unregulated doula named the doula when she delivered her son at her Melbourne residence on 29 September.

The infant was well, but the mother's state worsened suddenly and an emergency services was summoned around 4:30 in the morning, the inquest was informed on Wednesday.

Paramedics discovered the woman looking pale and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard 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 post-birth hemorrhage, the counsel explained.

The hospital’s supply of her blood type was fully used up during medical teams' efforts to save her, the court was told.

The fatality was reported to police, and her husband provided a statement to detectives, but Lal refused.

When officers went to inspect the residence the following day, they discovered the property had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Decisions Regarding Pregnancy Healthcare

Warnecke opted not to receive any health care during her term, including refusing scan appointments and appointments with a qualified midwife or doctor.

She wanted to give birth at home and contacted Lal, who also promoted herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.

A so-called "wild" 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 medical practitioners.

The relationship and communications with Lal will be a key part of the coroner’s investigation into her death, Ellyard said.

The 30-year-old’s views on the medical establishment, the decisions around her delivery plan and broader attitudes following the Covid-19 pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Ongoing Investigation

The inquest was informed that Warnecke was a certified dietary consultant who advocated for a wholesome and “natural” way of life on social media.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns influenced her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, counsel said.

Earlier this year, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was involved 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 cared for the patient, Ellyard was told.

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