A coroner is investigating the death of Stacey Warnecke, a 30-year-old Melbourne influencer who died after choosing a freebirth, a birth without medical assistance. The inquest aims to understand why some women opt for unassisted births and the role of birthkeepers, who lack medical training.
The Incident
On September 29, 2025, Warnecke died at Frankston Hospital in southeast Melbourne after a massive postpartum hemorrhage at home. She had hired Emily Lal, a birthkeeper with no medical qualifications, for $6,000 to support her pregnancy. Lal told the inquest she believed it was not her role to decide when to call an ambulance. An ambulance was called only after Warnecke explicitly gave permission, about 30 minutes after the bleed began.
Birthkeeper's Role
Lal described herself as a "supportive friend" and stated, "I'm not there to make a birth safer. I can't do that." She received training from the Free Birth Society, a multimillion-dollar online business criticized by medical professionals for sharing dangerous information. Lal's website, now removed, stated that outsourcing responsibility for wellbeing to external authorities is dangerous.
Medical Evidence
Expert witnesses testified that Warnecke's death was preventable with medical involvement. Postpartum hemorrhage is common but treatable if recognized early. Warnecke's labor lasted about three days, likely exhausting her uterus and preventing it from contracting to stop bleeding. A midwife would have had treatments and identified warning signs.
Why Freebirth?
The inquest heard that Warnecke had a "deep fear" of medical interventions. Nearly half of all births in Victorian hospitals result in caesarean sections, partly due to women choosing them, increased safety, and later childbirth. The 2024 NSW birth trauma inquiry found some women experienced dehumanizing treatment and perceived violence in hospitals.
Lal's Actions
Lal told the inquest she remained calm during the emergency. She cleaned Warnecke's home after the death, disposing of the bloodied carpet. She declined to provide a police statement, stating she was not legally required to. She also changed her phone, losing texts with Warnecke.
Inquest Ongoing
The inquest was adjourned after new phone evidence was discovered. A date for resumption is pending. Warnecke's family listened online but their statements were not made public. The coroner emphasized that women make childbirth choices daily and hopes to make them safer.
