Medical Center Exhausted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life After Free Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a futile attempt to keep her alive as she suffered catastrophic bleeding after a so-called "wild" birth, a court has been told.

The 30-year-old woman, 30, was accompanied by her spouse, her husband, and an unregulated doula named Emily Lal when she delivered her baby boy at her home in Melbourne home on 29 September.

The baby boy was well, but the mother's state worsened suddenly and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the hearing was informed on Wednesday.

Paramedics arrived to find the woman looking jaundiced and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the inflatable pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said.

She was transported to Frankston hospital but her life could not be saved.

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

All available reserves of her blood type was entirely depleted during doctors’ efforts to save her, the inquest was told.

This incident was reported to police, and her husband provided a statement to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to inspect the residence the following day, they also found the house had been thoroughly cleaned up by Lal.

Choices Around Pregnancy Care

The woman opted not to receive any medical care during her pregnancy, including declining scan appointments and appointments with a midwife or obstetrician.

She planned to give birth at home and contacted Lal, who also promoted herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.

An unassisted birth, sometimes called a birth without medical attendants, differs from a planned home birth, which involves care from qualified medical practitioners.

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

The 30-year-old’s thoughts on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and broader attitudes following the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Investigation

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

Evidence suggests she was deeply influenced by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her decision-making during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard said.

In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home deliveries that could put mothers and babies at risk.

The coroner would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for the patient, Ellyard heard.

This matter will be back before the coroner’s court in the coming months for a further directions hearing.