Medical Center Depleted Blood Supply In an Attempt to Save Wellness Influencer's Life Following Free Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.

A medical facility completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood group in a vain effort to keep her alive as she bled uncontrollably after a unassisted home delivery, a court has learned.

The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, her husband, and an unlicensed birth attendant named Emily Lal when she delivered her son at her home in Melbourne home on the 29th of September.

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

Emergency medical technicians discovered the woman looking jaundiced and gasping for air as she was seated on the floor near the birthing pool, counsel assisting the court stated.

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

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

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

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

As police went to examine Warnecke’s home the next day, they discovered the house had been extensively cleaned by Lal.

Choices Around Pregnancy Care

Warnecke chose not to receive any prenatal care during her term, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or doctor.

She planned to give birth at home and contacted the doula, who advertised herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.

A so-called "wild" birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of qualified medical practitioners.

Warnecke’s interactions with the doula will form part of the coroner’s investigation into her passing, the counsel said.

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and wider perspectives in the wake of the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.

Context and Ongoing Investigation

The court was told that the woman was a certified nutritionist who advocated for a wholesome and “natural” way of life on social media.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by Covid mandates and those concerns shaped her choices during pregnancy and birth, counsel added.

In October, the state health regulator 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 coroner would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who cared for Warnecke, Ellyard was told.

The case will be back before the coroner in March for a procedural update.