Stacey Hatfield Warnecke
Stacey Hatfield Warnecke (at left) and her husband Nathan Warnecke.

Australia-based nutritionist and social media influencer Stacey Hatfield has died from complications after bearing her first child, her husband announced on Sunday, Oct, 19.

"Its with heavy heart that (I) share with you the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, soul mate and best friend, Stacey Warnecke (Hatfield)," her husband, Nathan Warnecke wrote in an Instagram post on Oct. 19.

Hatfield was a businesswoman and content creator for the website Natural Spoonfuls, which boasts recipes for low-tox eating and natural living.

The popular tastemaker based in Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, died on Sept. 29, "shortly after giving birth to our beautiful baby boy," her husband told USA TODAY.

"It's come as an absolute terrible tragedy and shock to our family the likes of which we didn't think possible," Warnecke wrote in a Monday, Oct. 20 email. "Her work was an incredible part of her life and she took great pride in what she did."

How did Stacey Hatfield die?

In the announcement, Warnecke said his wife died after "successfully giving birth at home" to the couple's first son, Axel.

"Tragically, shortly after, an unforeseen and extremely rare complication arose and she passed after being transferred to hospital," her husband wrote. "Hospital staff were amazing and did the utmost to help, but ultimately nothing could be done despite their best efforts."

Warnecke did not say what day she gave birth or elaborate about the complications. USA TODAY has reached out to more of Hatfield's family as well as friends.

"Words can't do justice to how devastating this is for myself and everyone that knew and loved her," Warnecke wrote. "She was my lighthouse in the storm and the world is less bright without her in it."

According to her husband, Hatfield was "most at home in nature, surrounded by trees and sand at her feet. She lived her whole life with an appreciation for everything she had and cared not for materialistic possessions. Her (favorite) pastime was reading a book with a mug of green tea and our French Bulldog, Winter, by her side."

Fundraiser for Stacey Hatfield

According to an online fundraiser created by Jon Downie, the newborn baby's uncle, the couple had been excited for the birth of their child, but the mother was "only able to experience the joy of her new baby boy for a few short moments."

"On a day that should have been the happiest day of their life, the unimaginable occurred," Downie wrote in the Oct. 19 post. "Shortly after the arrival of their son Axel, Stacey passed away due to complications from childbirth."

"We are sincerely asking for support to help Nathan focus on what matters most, grieving, healing and bonding with his son Axel," Downie wrote.

In addition to funeral costs, funds will help with baby supplies and childcare.

As of Monday, Oct. 20, the page had raised more than $33,400 Australian dollars, or about $21,743, to help Warnecke's family.

This story has been updated to add new information and a video.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Food influencer dies from 'rare' complications after birth of first child

Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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