Stacey Warnecke died after giving birth at home last year. (Instagram: Natural Spoonfuls)

In short:

A coroner may order a freebirth support worker to give evidence at an inquest into the death of Seaford woman Stacey Warnecke.

The nutrition influencer suffered a postpartum haemorrhage and cardiac arrest after giving birth at home in 2025.

What's next?

The support worker, Emily Lal, has been given until May 15 to respond to the court's request that she provide a statement.

A "birthkeeper" who was present while a mother experienced deadly complications during childbirth could be hauled into court to explain her actions during the tragedy.

The 2025 death of nutrition influencer Stacey Warnecke is being examined by a Victorian coroner, with an inquest to probe the circumstances around Ms Warnecke's decline and the role of a support worker, Emily Lal.

Emily Lal was with Stacey Warnecke during the birth and when she developed postpartem complications. (Supplied)

Ms Lal, known online as The Authentic Birthkeeper, was at Ms Warnecke's Seaford home when her baby was born and when Triple Zero (000) was called afterwards.

Ms Warnecke, 30, died from a postpartum haemorrhage and suffered multiple cardiac arrests after being taken to hospital.

Today, a lawyer assisting Coroner Therese McCarthy said a proposed inquest could take place in mid-June, but that Ms Lal had refused to assist the investigation.

"She is claiming privilege against self-incrimination and is thus refusing to provide a statement," counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard told the Coroners Court of Victoria.

"She was present at the birth, she can be heard on the triple-0 call … all of which make her a highly relevant witness to the birth and the events of Stacey's deterioration before she was taken to hospital."

The inquest heard Stacey Warnecke suffered a haemorrhage after giving birth. (Supplied)

Birthkeeper's evidence 'crucial'

Under the Coroners Act, a court can compel a person to give evidence "in the interests of justice", even if the witness objects.

A coroner can also grant a certificate preventing that evidence from being used against the witness in a future case.

Those powers were used recently during the inquest into the fatal Daylesford pub crash, during which diabetic driver William Swale was ordered to testify.

Ms Lal will be given until May 15 to respond to the court's request for a statement. If she refuses, the coroner will rule on whether she should be compelled to give evidence.

Magistrate McCarthy said Ms Lal's evidence was "crucial" to the inquest.

"I think she can make a significant contribution to the court's investigation into the matter," she said.

The Coroners Court can compel a person to give evidence in an inquest. (ABC News: Melissa Brown)

Inquest to examine 'impact of freebirthing'

A freebirth is when a pregnant woman chooses to give birth at home with no registered medical professional present — different from a homebirth, in which a midwife is generally in attendance after a doctor deems a pregnancy low-risk.

Last year, Victoria's Health Complaints Commissioner issued a public warning about Ms Lal and imposed an interim ban preventing her from providing "any general health services".

The regulator said the decision to investigate was made based on information it had received alleging that Ms Lal was facilitating and/or participating in freebirths, which "may put both mothers and babies at risk".

The upcoming inquest is also set to examine whether Ms Warnecke may have survived with earlier medical intervention and what advice she received before agreeing to a "freebirth" at home without a registered midwife or doctor present.

The inquest will also look at the the impact of freebirthing on the public health system, the prevalence of unregistered doulas, and how maternal health services can work with people with reduced trust in the medical system.

The case was adjourned until June.

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