A coroner in Melbourne is examining the circumstances surrounding the death of wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke, who chose to give birth at home without medical assistance in September 2025. According to reporting, Warnecke went into labour with only her husband and a woman identified as Emily Lal present. Lal, who describes herself as a “birth keeper,” has no formal medical training and is said to have completed an online course associated with the Free Birth Society, which trains unregulated birth support workers. Warnecke later died in hospital.
The case has prompted broader scrutiny of the growing “freebirth” movement, in which some people seek medically unassisted births and non-medically trained supporters. Related investigation reporting focuses on the Free Birth Society’s alleged international connections and its founder’s claims that she was not aware of maternal deaths linked to the movement. In this context, the inquest is also considering questions about why Warnecke’s death occurred and what safety concerns may exist around non-medical birth support.
