An Australian influencer shockingly bled out after twice refusing medical assistance during her unassisted home birth, a coroner’s inquest revealed Tuesday.
Stacey Hatfield, 30, died shortly after delivering her son, Axel on Sept. 29, 2025. She was home without a midwife or nurse when she started experiencing postpartum hemorrhaging.
The online content creator was adamant about giving birth without medical help, the coroner’s court learned — a request her husband, Nathan Wernecke, abided by. Once she started suffering complications, Wernecke finally relented and rushed her to the hospital, but two dozen doctors were unable to save her following the problematic pregnancy.
Her son, the couple’s first child, survived the deadly ordeal.
When Wernecke announced Hatfield’s death over Instagram in September, he cited an “unforeseen and incredibly rare complication” for her passing.
“Stace passed on the 29th September 2025 after successfully giving birth to our firstborn son, Axel, at home,” Wernecke wrote on Hatfield’s Instagram page.
“Tragically, shortly after, an unforeseen and extremely rare complication arose and she passed after being transferred to hospital,” the post continued.
“Hospital staff were amazing and did the utmost to help, but ultimately nothing could be done despite their best efforts.”
Despite the medical complications, Hatfield was able to tell Axel that she loved him before she passed.
“She held Axel when he was born, nursed him, saw that he was a boy and loved him,” Wernecke wrote.
“She loved him so much and still, continues to love him.”
