Doula could face charges after influencer Stacey Hatfield’s birth death
An unregistered doula could be charged with providing false evidence to an inquest into a wellness influencer's free birth death.
Stacey Warnecke, also known as Stacey Hatfield, died hours after giving birth to her firstborn son Axel at her Melbourne home in September 2025.
Australian wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke died hours after free birthing at home. GoFundMe
The 30-year-old had opted for a free birth in the presence of her husband Nathan and "birthkeeper" Emily Lal before experiencing complications.
A free birth, unlike a home birth where a registered midwife is present, is intentionally done without any medical professionals.
Warnecke was rushed to hospital but died from a postpartum haemorrhage in the setting of a free birth.
A coronial inquest is being held into Warnecke's death, whether she would have survived with earlier medical intervention and the risks of free birth.
In June, Lal agreed to testify under oath after being provided with a certificate that would indemnify her answers from future legal proceedings.
That did not extend to false evidence.
She previously told the court her role was more of a friend and support.
Analysis of Warnecke's phone uncovered a 35-minute phone call recording between the expectant mother and Lal in January 2025, which was played in court on Monday.
In the call, Warnecke said she wanted no tests and for a birth at home with her husband and the "wise" doula.
"I envision having a wise woman that when I look at you in the eyes and I'm like, 'am I OK?' and you're like, 'yeah, you're good, you're good'. Like, am I dying or am I alright?" Warnecke said.
Lal told Warnecke she couldn't say how her labour would go, but if she was "solid enough" she would be able to do it.
"What I work with my clients antenatally is cultivating that really strong 'why', so when the hospital does seem tempting ... (they can) push past that," Lal said.
In June, Lal agreed to testify under oath after being provided with a certificate that would indemnify her answers from future legal proceedings. Con Chronis
Ellyard likened the role Lal played as an "expert" who "groomed" pregnant women through advice, referrals, selling supplements and commentary.
"This is inconsistent with the idea of a friend who just pulls your hair back and wipes your forehead," she said.
The counsel assisting said it would be open for Coroner Therese McCarthy to form the view that Lal "wasn't truthful in her evidence".
"A referral could be made in relation to perjury," Ellyard told the court.
Lal, who operated her "Authentic Birthkeeper" business for five years, told the court in June she "didn't want to do it anymore" after Warnecke's death.
But analysis of the dead mother's phone suggested Lal might have continued operating, the coroner was told on Monday.
A month after Warnecke died, Lal allegedly told a WhatsApp group she had deactivated her Instagram due to "things going on" that prevented her from having a public persona.
She would accept referrals by word of mouth, she said.
Lal was offered an opportunity to return and give evidence or respond to the claims in court on Monday, but neither she nor a lawyer acting for her turned up.
She can respond to Ellyard's allegations in writing to the coroner, who is due to hand down findings at a later date.
- AAP
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