Copyright smh
“The commissioner reasonably believes that Ms Lal may have contravened the code of conduct as set out in schedule 2 of the Health Complaints Act 2016, and that it is necessary to publish this warning statement to avoid an imminent and serious risk to the health, safety or welfare of the public,” the commission said. Doulas, or “birth keepers”, are not permitted to provide any clinical care to women during childbirth but are often hired to give emotional or physical comfort to women who have chosen to join the small but growing cohort of “freebirthing” mothers. Three senior healthcare sources with close knowledge of Warnecke’s case have told this masthead that Lal attended Frankston Hospital with Warnecke as she was rushed in for emergency treatment. The Age has made numerous attempts to contact Lal. It has not been confirmed whether she guided Warnecke’s birth or was present when the complications began. Lal has previously publicly stated she had the skills to assist women giving birth. “I do have the knowledge behind me that if there are complications that arise, I can assist,” she told The Matrescence podcast in an episode on birthing outside the system.
