A health watchdog has extended a ban on Emily Lal, an unregulated person known as a “birth keeper,” from providing advice or health services for three months after another woman died during a free birth. The coronial inquest is investigating Stacey Warnecke’s death and the role Ms Lal played during her birth.
In September last year, Ms Warnecke died after suffering a postpartum haemorrhage during a free birth at home with only her husband and Ms Lal present. An earlier ban on Ms Lal was issued by the Health Complaints Commissioner in October 2025 for breaching health codes.
Ms Lal is banned from advertising and providing services to pregnant women, including offering advice or attending births, during this time period. She had previously operated online as The Authentic Birthkeeper and charged a fee of $6,000 for her services.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-30/emily-lal-birth-keeper-stacey-warnecke-freebirth-death/106859854