Medical Center Used Up Blood Trying to Save Wellness Influencer's Life After Free Birth, Inquest Hears.

A medical facility exhausted its supply of a social media health advocate's specific blood group in a unsuccessful effort to keep her alive as she suffered catastrophic bleeding 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 unlicensed doula named Emily Lal when she gave birth to her son at her home in Melbourne residence on 29 September.

The baby boy was well, but the mother's condition worsened suddenly and an emergency services was called around 4:30 in the morning, the hearing was told on Wednesday.

Paramedics arrived to find the woman looking pale and gasping for air as she was seated on the floor near the birthing pool, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard stated.

She was rushed to Frankston hospital but doctors were unable to save her.

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

All available reserves of her blood type was completely exhausted during medical teams' attempts to save her, the inquest was told.

This incident was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke gave an account to investigating officers, but the doula declined to cooperate.

As police went to examine the birth scene the following day, they discovered the house had been deep cleaned by Lal.

Choices Regarding Pregnancy Healthcare

The woman chose not to receive any form of health care during her term, including declining scan appointments and consultations with a qualified midwife or doctor.

She planned to deliver at home and contacted Lal, who advertised herself as a free birth “keeper” on online platforms.

A so-called "wild" birth, sometimes called a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a home delivery with professional support, which includes the assistance of registered medical practitioners.

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

The 30-year-old’s beliefs on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and broader attitudes following the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a forthcoming hearing.

Background and Current Investigation

The court was informed that the woman was a qualified dietary consultant who promoted a healthy and “natural” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, Ellyard said.

Earlier this year, the state health regulator announced that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was involved in home deliveries 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 heard.

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