Birthkeeper hired by woman who died after freebirth tells inquest she was ‘not there to make a birth safer’
An inquest into the death of Stacey Warnecke, who died following a home 'freebirth,' heard testimony from her hired birthkeeper, Emily Lal. Lal stated that her role was purely supportive and not intended to provide medical safety or intervention.
Why it matters
The case raises significant legal and ethical questions regarding the role of non-medical birth support providers and the risks of unassisted home births.
Emily Lal (in grey coat) leaves the inquest into the death of Stacey Warnecke at the Melbourne coroner’s court on Tuesday. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP View image in fullscreen Emily Lal (in grey coat) leaves the inquest into the death of Stacey Warnecke at the Melbourne coroner’s court on Tuesday. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP Health Birthkeeper hired by woman who died after freebirth tells inquest she was ‘not there to make a birth safer’ Emily Lal – paid $6,000 to provide freebirth support package to Stacey Warnecke – tells coroner her role was primarily to be a ‘supportive friend’
The article reports on court testimony and the facts of the inquest without taking a stance on the practice of freebirthing.
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