Medical Center Depleted Blood Supply Trying to Save Health Social Media Figure's Life After Free Home Birth, Inquest Hears.

A hospital completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood group in a vain bid to save her life as she bled uncontrollably following a free birth, a coroner's inquest has been told.

The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was with her husband, her husband, and an unregulated birth attendant named the doula when she delivered her baby boy at her home in Melbourne home on the 29th of September.

The infant was healthy, but the mother's state rapidly declined and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the Victorian coroner’s court was told on this week.

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

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

Authorities believe she succumbed to severe complications after a massive bleeding after childbirth, the counsel explained.

All available reserves of her blood group was completely exhausted during doctors’ attempts to stabilize her, the court was told.

This incident was reported to police, and her husband gave an account to detectives, but the doula declined to cooperate.

When officers went to examine the residence the next day, they discovered the house had been thoroughly cleaned up by the doula.

Choices Around Prenatal Care

Warnecke chose not to receive any prenatal care during her term, including declining ultrasounds and appointments with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.

The expectant mother desired to deliver at home and contacted the doula, who described herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on social media.

A free birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, is distinct from a planned home birth, which involves care from registered health professionals.

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

The 30-year-old’s thoughts on the medical establishment, the choices around her birth plan and wider perspectives following the Covid-19 pandemic will also be examined in a future inquest.

Background and Ongoing Inquiry

The court was told that Warnecke was a certified nutritionist who advocated for a healthy and “chemical-free” lifestyle on social media.

It appeared she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns influenced her choices during her prenatal period and delivery, counsel added.

In October, the state health regulator announced that it was looking into the doula's activities over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home births that could pose a danger to women and infants.

The investigation would be requesting testimony from Lal, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated the patient, the court was told.

This matter will be back before the coroner in March for a procedural update.