Medical Center Depleted Blood Trying to Save Health Influencer's Life Following Unassisted Home Birth, Inquest Is Told.
A hospital completely used up a social media health advocate's matching blood group in a vain attempt to rescue her as she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a unassisted home delivery, a coroner's inquest has heard.
The 30-year-old woman, 30, was with her husband, Nathan Warnecke, and an unlicensed birth attendant named Emily Lal when she delivered her baby boy at her home in Melbourne residence on 29 September.
The infant was healthy, but Warnecke's state rapidly declined and an ambulance was summoned around 4.30am, the inquest was informed on Wednesday.
Paramedics arrived to find the woman looking pale and having difficulty breathing as she sat on the ground near the birthing pool, the coroner's counsel Rachel Ellyard said.
The patient was taken to Frankston hospital but doctors were unable to save her.
Authorities believe she succumbed to severe complications after a postpartum haemorrhage, the counsel said.
The medical center's stock of her blood group was entirely depleted during medical teams' attempts to save her, the court was informed.
The fatality was reported to police, and Nathan Warnecke provided a statement to investigating officers, but Lal declined to cooperate.
As police went to inspect the birth scene the next day, they also found the house had been extensively cleaned by the doula.
Decisions Regarding Prenatal Care
The woman elected not to receive any form of medical care during her term, including declining ultrasounds and appointments with a midwife or doctor.
She wanted to deliver at home and engaged Lal, who also promoted herself as a free birth “keeper” on social media.
A so-called "wild" birth, also referred to as a birth without medical attendants, differs from a planned home birth, which includes the assistance of registered health professionals.
The relationship and communications with the doula will form part of the official inquest into her death, Ellyard noted.
The 30-year-old’s views on the medical establishment, the choices around her delivery plan and wider perspectives following the global pandemic will also come under scrutiny in a forthcoming hearing.
Context and Current Investigation
The inquest was informed that the woman was a qualified dietary consultant who advocated for a wholesome and “chemical-free” lifestyle on social media.
It appeared she was deeply influenced by pandemic-related restrictions and those concerns shaped her decision-making during pregnancy and birth, Ellyard said.
In October, Victoria’s health complaints commissioner issued a warning that it was investigating Lal over concerns she was facilitating or participating in home births that could put mothers and babies at risk.
The investigation would be seeking a statement from the doula, as well as from the paramedics, doctors and nurses who treated Warnecke, Ellyard was told.
The case will be back before the coroner in March for a further directions hearing.