World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Coroner urged to refer birthkeeper over woman's death after home birth
A lawyer assisting a Victorian coroner urged her to refer birthkeeper Emily Lal to prosecutors over possible offences linked to Stacey Warnecke’s death.
Warnecke, a 30-year-old woman, gave birth at home in September 2025 and later died in hospital from complications of a postpartum haemorrhage.
She had paid Lal $6,000 to support her during pregnancy, and a phone recording played at the inquest showed Warnecke describing Lal as someone she trusted to guide her through labour.
Warnecke said she was afraid of hospitals, and Lal told her she should be scared of them.
The lawyer said the recording and phone messages conflicted with Lal’s evidence that she was mainly a supportive friend and did not provide medical advice.
Birthkeepers have no clinical training and work outside the medical system.
The coroner is considering whether Lal should face possible criminal charges, including possible perjury; no decision is stated in the sources.
Stacey Warnecke died in hospital in September 2025 after giving birth at home and suffering a postpartum haemorrhage.
At an inquest in Melbourne, counsel assisting the coroner urged that birthkeeper Emily Lal be referred to prosecutors over possible offences.
Rachel Ellyard said phone recordings and messages contradicted Lal’s evidence that she had acted mainly as a supportive friend.
Ellyard said Lal had encouraged clients to resist seeking medical help and had offered advice and services to pregnant women.
The coroner, Therese McCarthy, is considering the submissions; the sources do not report a decision.
- Who
- Stacey Warnecke died after giving birth at home; birthkeeper Emily Lal is the subject of a proposed referral to prosecutors.
- What
- Counsel assisting the coroner urged a referral over possible perjury and other offences connected with Lal’s evidence and services.
- When
- Warnecke died on September 29, 2025. The inquest submissions were heard on Monday, October 26, 2026.
- Where
- Melbourne, Australia; the inquest was held at the Coroners Court of Victoria.
- Why
- Counsel assisting said phone evidence contradicted Lal’s account of her role and raised concerns about advice and services she provided.
Emily Lal
Rachel Ellyard, counsel assisting the coroner
Role in Warnecke’s birth
Emily Lal
Lal said she was hired mainly as a supportive friend and did not give medical advice.
Rachel Ellyard, counsel assisting the coroner
Ellyard said phone evidence and messages showed Lal gave advice and that Warnecke relied on her to help keep her safe.
Seeking medical help
Emily Lal
Lal told Warnecke she should be scared of hospitals and spoke of staying home for birth.
Rachel Ellyard, counsel assisting the coroner
Ellyard said Lal sought to groom clients to resist seeking medical help during labour.
A phone call between Warnecke and Lal took place while Warnecke was seven weeks pregnant.
Warnecke died in hospital after giving birth at home and suffering a postpartum haemorrhage.
The inquest began and Lal gave evidence.
The inquest heard closing submissions, and Ellyard urged the coroner to consider referring Lal to prosecutors.
- Payment
- Warnecke paid Lal $6,000
- Age
- Warnecke was 30
- Death
- September 29, 2025
- Birthplace
- At home in Melbourne
- Inquest
- Coroners Court of Victoria
- Proposed referral
- Director of Public Prosecutions
3 sources
Doula ‘groomed’ mother to view hospital care as failure before fatal home birth, coroner told
Birthkeeper who allegedly ‘groomed’ pregnant women to fear hospital could face criminal charges
'Am I dying': Mum-to-be's chilling question to $6,000 'birth keeper' before she died - as inquest is told homebirth guru should face a string of charges over the tragedy
What people are saying
Ms Lal saw her role as to groom her clients into being strong enough to resist the temptation to seek medical help during labor, to seek pain relief during labor, to go to hospital during labor
Ms Lal wasn't truthful in the evidence that she gave to you
Am I dying, or am I alright?
You should be scared of the hospital.