How a Melbourne woman’s death is shining light on the dangers of non-medical births – Full Story podcast

In this episode, The Guardian provides an update on the inquest surrounding the death of Stacey Warnicke, a Melbourne influencer who died following a free birth that was attended by Emily Lau, a member of the controversial Free Birth Society. Stacey, who opted for an unassisted home birth, suffered a postpartum hemorrhage after delivering her baby and later died in the hospital despite efforts to save her. The inquest raises pivotal questions about why women are choosing low or no-intervention birthing methods and the potential dangers.

Medical editor Melissa Davey discusses the inquest's focus on why Stacey chose to avoid medical care during her pregnancy, attributing her decisions to fears of unnecessary interventions common in hospitals. The episode outlines the circumstances of Stacey’s birth and the critical moments when help was delayed due to Emily Lau's reluctance to call an ambulance without Stacey's consent. It explains the role of the trained birth keeper, her lack of medical training, and the implications of such choices on maternal safety.

Investigations Correspondent Shirin Kale highlights the broader consequences of the Free Birth Society (FBS), which advocates for births without medical personnel. The FBS has been linked to maternal and infant deaths globally, teaching women potentially harmful beliefs about birth. Emily Lau, trained by the FBS, claims to have acted as a friend during the birth, which raises concerns about the ethical implications of her actions. The episode concludes by emphasizing the ongoing nature of the inquest and the significant issues stemming from the unregulated practice around free birthing.