Late Influencer Stacey Warnecke, 30, Allegedly Refused Ambulance Twice While She Rapidly Lost Blood During Home Birth: Report

An inquest has revealed disturbing details surrounding the death of Australian influencer Stacey Warnecke, who tragically passed away just hours after giving birth to her first child. The 30-year-old wellness content creator died on September 29 following what has been reported as a postpartum haemorrhage resulting from a home birth.

Stacey opted for a “freebirth,” an unassisted delivery that lacks the presence of a qualified medical professional. This approach, often promoted online as an alternative to traditional childbirth, has drawn criticism from healthcare experts who highlight the increased risks it poses to both the mother and child. Tragically, this decision contributed to the severe complications that arose shortly after her son’s birth.

The inquest, held at the Coroners Court in Melbourne on June 15 and 16, 2023, featured a heart-wrenching 12-minute emergency call made by her husband, Nathan Warnecke, on the day of her passing. During the call, he informed the operator that Stacey was struggling to breathe after giving birth, while the doula present, Emily Lal, described her condition as pale and exhibiting hot skin.

Testimonies from the inquest revealed that in the months leading up to her delivery, Stacey had made it clear that she desired a birth free from medical interventions, expressing concerns over the rising rates of C-sections and induced births. Nathan Warnecke emphasised this point in a statement, describing his wife’s strong aversion to the “cascade of interventions” typically associated with hospital births.

Furthermore, evidence emerged that Stacey had declined routine pregnancy screenings, including ultrasounds, and had refused to have a registered midwife present at her birth due to fears surrounding healthcare regulations. Despite Lal suggesting calling for an ambulance on multiple occasions as Stacey’s condition worsened, it was not until the third insistence that she agreed to seek emergency assistance.

Upon arrival, the paramedics found Stacey lying on the floor of a dimly lit room near the birth pool. Lal faced questions during the inquest regarding her decision to respect Stacey’s insistence against contacting emergency services, stating, “Her autonomy was very important to her. There was no way I was going to call an ambulance against her wishes.” This admission raised concerns about the level of support and expertise present at the birth.

Lal, who has publicly operated her services under the moniker “The Authentic Birth Keeper,” acknowledged during the inquest her lack of clinical training. She relied largely on her personal childbirth experiences and completion of an online course in 2020 to support her practice. This admission has prompted further scrutiny regarding the qualifications of those involved in home births, particularly in unregulated environments.

In the aftermath of Stacey Warnecke’s death, Lal has been banned from providing or advertising any health-related services by Australia’s Health Complaints Commissioner. An investigation into her practices was initiated following allegations that she was facilitating home births that could jeopardise the safety of mothers and infants.

Stacey, known to approximately 30,000 followers on Instagram for her focus on a toxin-free lifestyle and wholesome food, was commemorated by her husband in a heartfelt post to her social media account in mid-October. He also established a GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering memorial and childcare expenses in the wake of their tragic loss.

The inquest into Stacey’s death continues, with further sessions scheduled for later this week, as investigators examine the circumstances leading to this heartbreaking event. As details emerge, it raises crucial questions about the implications of unassisted childbirth and the necessity of ensuring adequate medical oversight during such significant life events.