<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An unregulated doula who supported a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/wellness" rel="" target="" title="wellness"><span>wellness</span></a><span> influencer during a fatal home birth has refused to provide a statement to a coroner.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Doula Emily Lal was present when Stacey Warnecke, 30, gave birth to her son at a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/melbourne" rel="" target="" title="Melbourne"><span>Melbourne</span></a><span> home on September 29.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The little boy was healthy but Warnecke's condition rapidly declined and an ambulance was called about 4.30am.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/anzac-day-public-holiday-act-2026-announced-to-align-with-nsw/5ab9b03e-b3c1-4b40-a940-bb3c3d3e8d00" target="_blank"><strong><span>New territory announces extra public holiday for Anzac Day 2026</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She was rushed to Frankston Hospital but could not be saved, with a medical examiner confirming she died from a postpartum haemorrhage.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Warnecke's death was reported to police and her husband Nathan - who was also present at the birth - provided a statement to detectives but Lal refused.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The doula has also refused to provide a statement to the Victorian coroner investigating Warnecke's death, counsel assisting Rachel Ellyard told the court today.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/doula-refuses-to-give-statement-into-influencers-death/86459713-7811-4674-adcc-deb0ff056fb9" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She was objecting on the grounds she could incriminate herself, Ellyard said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Coroner Therese McCarthy ordered a direct witness summons be served on Lal, where she would be advised she could give evidence at inquest under a certificate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The certificate would protect Lal from facing criminal prosecution as a result of her evidence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm of the view Ms Lal's evidence is a crucial part of the picture leading up to the death of Ms Warnecke," McCarthy said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I really hope Ms Lal agrees to participate in this process ... because I think she can make a significant contribution."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/new-york-laguardia-airport-air-canada-plane-collides-with-vehicle-on-runway/4f2be952-d811-4899-ab5f-bdf59fd6525f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Flight controller makes chilling admission just 20 minutes after deadly New York plane crash</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If Lal continues to object, she will be compelled to give evidence and she will have to make submissions as to why she should be excused.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That process will take place in May ahead of the inquest starting on June 15, Ellyard said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The scope of the inquest was also outlined during today's hearing, with the coroner set to investigate the circumstances of Warnecke's death and whether she would have survived with earlier medical intervention.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The coroner will also consider the risks of home births, whether Warnecke was aware of any risks, why she chose to proceed with a home birth, and any prevention measures going forward.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The coroner had already received statements from the medical examiner, various clinicians involved in Warnecke's care and the influencer's family, Ellyard said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There were still outstanding statements from the Healthcare Complaints Commission and an expert midwife and obstetrician, the counsel assisting said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The case was adjourned to the inquest in June.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here 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