Victorian coroner weighs criminal referral for birthkeeper who urged home birth over hospital

In September 2025, Stacey Warnecke gave birth at home in Frankston, Melbourne, assisted by birthkeeper Emily Lal, and later died from a severe postpartum haemorrhage after being taken to hospital. Lal, who has no clinical training, was paid $6,000 for her services. New forensic analysis of Warnecke’s phone uncovered a WhatsApp group and messages in which Lal urged the client to view hospitals as a failure and to rely on her own mindset.

During a recorded call, Lal told Warnecke she should be scared of hospitals and warned that midwives might push women toward medical facilities. Counsel assisting the coroner, Rachel Ellyard, said the communications show Lal provided structured advice, referrals, and sold supplements, contradicting her earlier testimony that she was merely a supportive friend. The coroner is considering a referral to the Office of Public Prosecutions for possible perjury and for presenting herself as a qualified advisor despite lacking medical credentials.