‘LOW tox’ wellness influencer Stacey Hatfield bled to death hours after welcoming a baby body via ‘freebirth’ at home.
The 30-year-old’s cause of death was given as a postpartum haemorrhage, a serious complication where someone bleeds excessively after child birth.
Stacey’s passing was first announced by her husband Nathan Warnecke in September, who shared the news that his wife had died unexpectedly during childbirth in an Instagram post.
Nathan said Stacey had suffered “an unforeseen and extremely rare complication” after giving birth to her son Axel and nursing him for “a few short moments”.
Though the little boy was born healthy, the Australian nutrition influencer – who also went by the name Stacey Warnecke – passed after being rushed to hospital.
The circumstances around her death were presented to the coroner’s court in Melbourne.
The court was told about hospital workers’ “profoundly complicated and distressing” fight to save Stacey after she was rushed to hospital in the early hours of September 29.
Stacey described herself on Instagram as a “low tox nutritionist and food content creator” and her account Natural Spoonfuls had nearly 20,000 followers at the time of her death.
She gave birth to Axel using the freebirth method, at 3am on September 29.
Also referred to as unassisted birth, it means giving birth at home without help from a medical professional, such as a doctor or midwife.
This is different from a homebirth, where a midwife would usually be present.
Attorney Rachel Ellyard revealed that Stacey was driven to the decision by her scepticism around Covid vaccine mandates and her desire to live free of chemicals, according to ABC.
Birth support worker Emily Lal, known online as The Authentic Birthkeeper, was present for the birth at the couple’s home. She had no medical background.
Emily has since been banned from providing care by the Victorian Healthcare Complaints Commissioner, which is investigating her.
Stacey appeared well after giving birth but her condition began deteriorating quickly after she passed her placenta.
The mum said no when she was first asked if she wanted an ambulance, but she began having trouble breathing.
An ambulance was eventually called at 4:13am, and she arrived at hospital at 5:07am, bleeding profusely.
Once there, 24 medics did their best to save her, but the hospital ran out of her blood type.
Ms Ellyard described it as “a profoundly complicated and distressing experience for all who cared for her”.
The 30-year-old suffered several cardiac arrests in hospital and later died.
The court heard how Emily cleaned the couple’s home after Stacey was rushed to hospital and refused to provide a statement.
The coroner, Therese McCarthy, is considering whether there will be an official court hearing regarding Stacey’s death.
What is postpartum haemorrhage?
Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a complication where you bleed heavily from the vagina after your baby’s birth.
It is normal to bleed from your vagina after you have a baby.
Bleeding is usually heaviest just after birth and gradually becomes less over the next few hours.
The bleeding will reduce further over the next few days.
There are two types of PPH, depending on when the bleeding takes place:
- Primary or immediate – bleeding that happens within 24 hours of birth
- Secondary or delayed – bleeding that happens after the first 24 hours and up to 12 weeks after the birth
Sometimes PPH happens because your womb doesn’t contract strongly enough after the birth.
It can also happen because part of the placenta has been left in your womb or you get an infection in the lining of the womb
If heavy bleeding does occur, it is important that it is treated very quickly so that a minor haemorrhage doesn’t become a major haemorrhage, which can be life-threatening.
Sources: NHS, RCOG
She’ll further investigate the circumstances around it, including the practice of freebirthing and its impact on the public health system.
The coroner will also examine the role of unregulated birth support workers and maternity care options for women wanting to give birth at home.
The matter will return to court in March.
Stacey passed away just two months before Nathan and her were due to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.
Nathan said on Instagram in a heartbreaking post: “It’s with a heavy heart that I share with you the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, soul mate and best friend, Stacey.
“Stace passed on September 29, 2025, after successfully giving birth to our firstborn son, Axel, at home.
“Tragically, shortly after, an unforeseen and extremely rare complication arose and she passed after being transferred to hospital.
“Hospital staff were amazing and did the utmost to help, but ultimately nothing could be done despite their best efforts.”
Nathan said the only thing that has helped him “reconcile in this horrible time” was the fact that Stacey’s last moments on Earth were her happiest.
Nathan recalled: “She was the happiest I’ve ever seen her.
“Her memory will remain with those of us that knew her as the ditzy, green-eyed, blonde-haired girl whose smile could fill a room.”
Stacey was known for heading Natural Spoonfuls, which promoted the benefits of natural recipes and a ‘low tox’ lifestyle.
This is a way of eating that focuses on minimising exposure to toxins by choosing whole, unprocessed foods and avoiding those with artificial additives, herbicides and pesticides.
It also prioritises lean proteins, drinking plenty of water and reducing sugar intake.
Nathan revealed that Stacey’s biggest dream was to be a mum.
He said: “It was her life’s biggest dream to be a mum. She did it. On her terms, exactly the way she always dreamed of doing it.
“She loved being pregnant and over the last nine months told our son she loved him every day.”
