Melbourne wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke died in hospital after an unassisted home birth in September 2025, attended by her husband and 'birth keeper' Emily Lal, who lacked formal medical training. A coroner is investigating the incident.
An inquest is examining the death of Stacey Warnecke, 30, from a postpartum hemorrhage. She died after choosing a "freebirth" supported by an unqualified "birthkeeper," Emily Lal, who allegedly downplayed symptoms and delayed calling an ambulance. Experts state Warnecke's death was preventable with medical intervention.
A birthkeeper, Emily Lal, was reported to police by a senior clinician after her client, Stacey Warnecke, died following a home freebirth. Warnecke, a wellness influencer, died from a postpartum hemorrhage after paying Lal $6,000 for support without clinical staff.
A birthkeeper, Emily Lal, was reported to police by a senior clinician after her client, Stacey Warnecke, died following a home freebirth. Warnecke, a wellness influencer, died from a massive postpartum hemorrhage after paying Lal $6,000 for support without clinical staff.
A birthkeeper testified at an inquest that her role was not to make a home birth safer, despite being paid $6,000 for support. The woman she assisted died from a postpartum hemorrhage after a freebirth.
