Hailey Okula, known to millions as Nurse Hailey, captured hearts across social media with her candid and inspiring journey through infertility and pregnancy.
Tragically, just after the birth of her precious son, the popular nursing influencer has passed away, leaving her followers and loved ones devastate.
Went into cardiac arrest
Talking about infertility can be incredibly difficult, and for many, it’s a topic surrounded by shame or feelings of inadequacy.
Hailey Okula understood this all too well, having shared her deeply personal, two-year battle with infertility and the emotional rollercoaster of IVF. Her openness resonated with so many, breaking down walls and giving others the strength to share their own stories.
With over 425,000 followers on Instagram, Hailey shared her deeply personal, two-year struggle with infertility and the emotional journey of IVF – but tragically, she will never have the chance to see her child grow up.
The nursing influencer died on March 29 when she went into cardiac arrest after giving birth to a son.
Her husband, Matthew Okula, confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional post on Instagram, published 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. 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 continued to reflect on Hailey’s strength, especially during their battle with infertility:
“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.”
Challenging IVF process
He also shared the emotional journey they faced together, including the IVF process: “Hailey’s strength was unparalleled. Words can’t describe how badly we wanted to be parents. 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.”
Matthew recalled a particularly emotional moment, saying:
“I will never forget the moment I broke down, apologizing for the toll the process would take on her. She held my face, looked into my eyes, and said, ‘We are a team, and we’ll get through this together.’ That was Hailey. A fighter. A teammate. A woman who would do anything for the people she loved.”
In September, Hailey shared the joyous news that she and her husband, Matt Okula, a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department, were finally expecting after nearly two years of struggling with infertility.
She was able to speak to her son
On September 16, she took to Instagram to express her excitement, calling the moment “indescribable.” In her heartfelt post, she wrote, “Without going too much into detail about my journey, the journey has been hard, but so worth it.”
The couple’s son, Crew, was born on March 29 via C-section, according to KTTV. Reporter Hailey Winslow shared that Hailey Okula had a brief but memorable moment with her son, joking after one look at him, saying, ”how big he was.”
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Though Hailey’s time with them was cut tragically short, Matthew spoke of her boundless love for their son:
“Though her time with us was tragically cut short, Hailey’s love for Crew was limitless, long before he entered this world. She would have been the most amazing mom. Her spirit, courage, and love will live on in our son, and through everyone whose lives she touched.”
In an interview with KTTV, Matt Okula revealed to TV reporter Hailey Winslow that his wife passed away due to a rare and life-threatening condition called amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). According to the Cleveland Clinic, AFE occurs when amniotic fluid enters a pregnant woman’s bloodstream just before, during, or immediately after childbirth.
Hailey Okula cause of death
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but serious condition that occurs in about 1 in every 40,000 deliveries in the U.S. — or just 0.0025% of births. While it’s uncommon, Healthline reports that AFE is the second leading cause of maternal death related to childbirth and the top cause of heart attacks after delivery. The Mayo Clinic states that sadly, about 60% of women who experience AFE do not survive. It can happen during both vaginal births and C-sections.
Just two minutes after giving birth, Hailey Okula told the nurses she wasn’t feeling well, moments before going into cardiac arrest.
Her husband, Matt Okula, recalled the terrifying moment, saying, “A minute later, the doctor comes in and lets me know that they’re doing CPR on her.”
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?” As Matt reflected, “Not a decision we thought I’d be making,” adding that his wife had wanted to be a mother “so incredibly bad.”
Matt, who had been on the frontlines of the Palisades Fire earlier this year, also shared a touching memory, saying his wife was able to see their son for “a split second” — a moment he will “always remember.”
Hailey’s followers, who had closely followed her fertility journey, were devastated by the news. Hailey had hundreds of thousands of fans on Instagram and over 200,000 on TikTok. Many of them sent their condolences and shared how Hailey’s honesty had helped them with their own infertility struggles.
“I’m heartbroken. Sending all the love to you and your family,” one follower wrote.
”Such an inspiration”
“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,” another shared.
Others added: “I’m so very sorry. Hailey made such an impact on the nursing community and will never be forgotten.”
“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.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to support Matthew Okula as he begins life with baby Crew, but without his wife.
The page states: “On what should have been the happiest day of their lives, Firefighter Matt Okula experienced the unimaginable.”
Hailey’s legacy as a nurse and infertility advocate will continue to inspire many, even as her story is tragically cut short.
