Hospital Used Up Blood Trying to Rescue Wellness Influencer's Life After Unassisted Home Birth, Coroner Is Told.
A medical facility completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood type in a unsuccessful bid to save her life as she bled uncontrollably after a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has been told.
The 30-year-old woman, aged 30, was accompanied by her spouse, her husband, and an unregulated doula named the doula when she delivered her baby boy at her Melbourne residence on 29 September.
Her newborn son was well, but Warnecke's state deteriorated quickly and an ambulance was called around 4.30am, the inquest was informed on Wednesday.
Paramedics discovered Warnecke looking yellow and having difficulty breathing as she was seated on the floor near the inflatable pool, counsel assisting the court said.
She was rushed to Frankston hospital but her life could not be saved.
The preliminary finding suggests she succumbed to complications following a post-birth hemorrhage, Ellyard said.
All available reserves of her blood type was completely exhausted 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 refused.
As police went to inspect the residence the following day, they also found the house had been deep cleaned by the doula.
Choices Regarding Prenatal Care
The woman opted not to receive any form of medical care during her term, including refusing ultrasounds and consultations with a qualified midwife or obstetrician.
She wanted to deliver at home and engaged the doula, who described herself as a advocate for unassisted birth on online platforms.
A free birth, also referred to as a wild or unassisted birth, differs from a home delivery with professional support, which involves care from qualified medical practitioners.
Warnecke’s interactions with the doula will form part of the official inquest into her death, the counsel said.
The 30-year-old’s thoughts on the healthcare system, the choices around her delivery plan and broader attitudes in the wake of the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a future inquest.
Background and Current Investigation
The inquest was told that the woman was a certified nutritionist who promoted a wholesome and “natural” lifestyle on her online channels.
It appeared she was profoundly affected by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her choices during pregnancy and birth, counsel added.
In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner announced that it was investigating Lal over allegations she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.
The coroner would be requesting testimony from the doula, as well as from the emergency responders and hospital staff who treated Warnecke, the court heard.
The case will return to the coroner in March for a procedural update.
