Police were contacted as a public health safety measure; the doula stated she was not legally obligated to give a police statement.

The inquest is ongoing, with additional testimony and evidence expected later in the week.

The doula testified that her role was non-medical and primarily as a friend; she did not plan to call an ambulance unless instructed by the mother and did not see herself as responsible for Warnecke’s safety.

An inquest in Melbourne is examining the death of Australian influencer Stacey Warnecke, who died after a home birth without medical professionals present and with a non-medical doula involved.

Warnecke, 30, and her husband were at home on September 29 when complications arose, leading to a rapid deterioration and postoperative hemorrhage after transfer to Frankston Hospital.

Medical staff later described the outcome as a postpartum hemorrhage, despite efforts including a hysterectomy and drainage, with Warnecke ultimately dying after hospital treatment.

A hospital executive said the doula’s communications suggested knowledge beyond a layperson, raising concerns about public health risk and prompting consideration of referring the doula to police.

Ambulance timing and coordination among the doula, Warnecke, and medical staff were critical factors, with questions about whether timely emergency care could have changed the outcome.

Doctors performed a hysterectomy and fluid drainage to save Warnecke, but the procedure exhausted her blood supply.

A quick emergency-services review meeting described concerns about the doula’s language and potential public health risk from untrained medical advice.

Parademedics reported Warnecke arrived agitated and deteriorating, despite hospital efforts to stabilize her.

Current inquest focus includes the circumstances of the free birth, the doula’s role and training, and the hospital’s response after Warnecke’s death.