Hailey Okula, widely known on social media as Nurse Hailey, touched the lives of hundreds of thousands through her honesty, courage, and unwavering spirit. Her story—rooted in a vulnerable and emotional journey through infertility—captivated a devoted following. Sadly, just after welcoming her long-awaited son into the world, Hailey’s life was tragically cut short, leaving her family, friends, and fans heartbroken.
Hailey’s journey wasn’t just personal—it was public, raw, and real. For two years, she shared her struggle with infertility and her emotional IVF experience with over 425,000 followers on Instagram. Her openness gave strength to many women facing similar challenges, encouraging them to speak out and find comfort in shared experiences. She helped lift the veil of shame that too often surrounds infertility, offering not only a sense of solidarity but hope to so many.
On March 29, Hailey gave birth to her son, Crew, via C-section. But mere moments later, she went into cardiac arrest and passed away. Her husband, Los Angeles firefighter Matthew Okula, confirmed the devastating news in an emotional Instagram post on April 1. “It is with the heaviest of heart that I share the devastating news of the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula, due to complications from childbirth,” he wrote. “Words cannot convey the depth of the loss I feel. Hailey was more than I could have ever dreamed of in a wife and partner. She was gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal.”
Matthew reflected on the strength Hailey had shown throughout their marriage, especially during their difficult path to parenthood. “For nearly 13 years, she stood by my side in the hardest of times, loving me endlessly, even when I felt undeserving of that love. She was my everything.”
He spoke of the trials they faced while trying to conceive and the resilience Hailey showed throughout. “Words can’t describe how badly we wanted to be parents,” he said. “After years of infertility struggles and a long, challenging IVF process, we were overjoyed to be expecting Crew. Hailey faced every hurdle with so much courage and love—even though her body went through so much, she never wavered.”
One memory particularly stood out to Matthew. During a difficult moment in the IVF process, he broke down and apologized for the toll it was taking on her. Hailey looked into his eyes and told him, “We are a team, and we’ll get through this together.” That moment, he said, was Hailey in a nutshell—strong, selfless, and devoted to those she loved.
In September, Hailey had shared the exciting news of her pregnancy on Instagram. She and Matthew had been trying for nearly two years, and when she finally received the good news, she described the experience as “indescribable.” She wrote, “Without going too much into detail about my journey, the journey has been hard, but so worth it.”
According to KTTV, Crew was born on March 29. Though her time was painfully brief, Hailey did get a moment with her newborn. She lovingly joked about his size, saying, “how big he was.” It was a fleeting moment, but one that meant everything to those who loved her.
Tragically, Hailey’s death was caused by a rare and life-threatening condition known as amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). In an interview with KTTV, Matthew explained that AFE occurs when amniotic fluid enters a woman’s bloodstream just before, during, or immediately after childbirth. The condition is extremely rare, occurring in about 1 in every 40,000 deliveries in the U.S., or roughly 0.0025% of births. Despite its rarity, AFE is the second leading cause of maternal death related to childbirth in the United States and the leading cause of postpartum cardiac arrest. The Mayo Clinic reports that approximately 60% of those who experience AFE do not survive.
Just two minutes after giving birth, Hailey told the nurses she wasn’t feeling well. Moments later, she went into cardiac arrest. “A minute later, the doctor comes in and lets me know that they’re doing CPR on her,” Matthew recalled. He was then faced with an unimaginable decision: “Am I going to the ICU with my wife or am I staying with my newborn little baby?” He added, “Not a decision we thought I’d be making.” Hailey had wanted to be a mom more than anything, and that thought weighed heavily on him.
Matthew, who had previously been on the front lines of the Palisades Fire, also shared a bittersweet memory—Hailey saw their son, even if just for a second. That one second, he said, will forever be etched in his memory.
The loss sent shockwaves through the online community. Hailey wasn’t just a popular nurse on Instagram—she was a beacon of hope and strength for women grappling with fertility challenges. Her story was not just inspirational, it was transformational for many. On TikTok, where she had over 200,000 followers, the messages of grief and gratitude poured in. One follower wrote, “I’m heartbroken. Sending all the love to you and your family.” Another added, “This has left sooo many of us shattered. The impact Hailey made in everyone’s life shows. We love you so much, Hailsyeahhh, and promise to love baby Crew and Matt. Until we meet again, crazy girl.”
The nursing community also expressed their grief, with many acknowledging the indelible mark Hailey left. “Hailey was such an inspiration to the nursing community. I’m so heartbroken by this news. May she Rest In Peace and may you and your family find strength during this time.”
In response to this tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support Matthew and baby Crew as they face life without their beloved wife and mother. The fundraiser reads, “On what should have been the happiest day of their lives, Firefighter Matt Okula experienced the unimaginable.”
Though her story ended far too soon, Hailey Okula’s legacy will endure. As a nurse, a wife, a mother, and a fierce advocate for those struggling with infertility, her light touched countless lives. Her memory lives on in her son, in the hearts of those she inspired, and in the courage she gave others to share their own truth.
