Hailey Okula, widely known as “Nurse Hailey” to her hundreds of thousands of social media followers, has passed away just after the birth of her son, ending a deeply personal and public journey through infertility that resonated with so many.
After a two-year struggle to conceive, Okula and her husband, Los Angeles firefighter Matt Okula, were overjoyed to be expecting. But their dream turned into heartbreak on March 29 when Hailey, shortly after delivering her baby boy via C-section, went into cardiac arrest due to a rare childbirth complication.
In an emotional Instagram post on April 1, Matt confirmed the devastating news: “With the heaviest heart, I share that my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula, passed away unexpectedly due to complications from childbirth. No words can capture the pain of this loss. Hailey was everything to me—smart, loyal, hardworking, passionate, and beautiful.”
Hailey had documented her path through infertility and IVF on Instagram, amassing over 425,000 followers. Her vulnerability and openness helped others feel seen, and her story gave hope to many navigating similar challenges.
Reflecting on their shared journey, Matt wrote: “For over 13 years, Hailey stood by my side, through every hardship, loving me even when I didn’t feel worthy. Her strength was unmatched. We wanted to be parents more than anything, and she faced every challenge head-on with courage and grace.”
The couple had announced their pregnancy in September with cautious joy. “The journey has been tough,” Hailey posted, “but so worth it.”
Their son, Crew, was born on March 29. According to KTTV, Hailey was able to see him briefly and even commented on how big he was—an unforgettable moment for Matt.
Tragically, just two minutes after delivery, Hailey told nurses she didn’t feel well. She then went into cardiac arrest and never recovered. Doctors later confirmed the cause was amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), a rare and often fatal condition affecting approximately 1 in 40,000 births. It happens when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, triggering a severe reaction.
“Do I follow my wife to the ICU, or stay with my newborn?” Matt recalled asking himself in the moment. “That’s not a decision we ever imagined facing. Hailey wanted nothing more than to be a mom.”
Matt shared that Hailey was able to see her son for “just a split second,” but the love she had for him was already infinite. “She would’ve been the best mother,” he said. “Her love and spirit will live on in Crew.”
Hailey’s passing sent shockwaves through her online community. She had over 200,000 followers on TikTok in addition to her Instagram audience, and many took to the comments to express their grief and gratitude for her authenticity.
“This has shattered so many of us,” one follower wrote. “Hailey made a huge impact on our lives. We promise to carry her legacy forward.”
Another added, “Hailey’s honesty helped so many of us in the infertility and nursing communities. She will never be forgotten.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Matt and baby Crew during this unimaginably difficult time. “What should have been the best day of their lives turned into their worst,” the fundraiser states.
Hailey’s memory lives on in the countless lives she touched as a nurse, an advocate, and a friend. Though her life was cut short, her voice, strength, and love will continue to inspire.
