Nursing Influencer “Nurse Hailey” Dies After Childbirth Due to Rare Complication

The online nursing community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Hailey Okula, a beloved ER nurse and influencer known to her 425,000 Instagram followers as “Nurse Hailey.” She passed away on March 29 due to complications from childbirth shortly after giving birth to her first child.

Hailey and her husband, Matthew Okula, welcomed their son Crew via IVF—a journey Hailey had shared openly with her followers. Just minutes after delivering their baby via C-section, Hailey went into cardiac arrest.

In an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles, Matt revealed the cause: an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)—a rare and unpredictable complication that can happen during childbirth.

“There’s no treatment. There’s no way to diagnose it,” Matt said. “It’s just so sad to think that other people have to go through what I’m going through right now.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, AFE occurs when amniotic fluid or fetal material enters the mother’s bloodstream, triggering a severe reaction. It’s a leading cause of peripartum heart attacks and one of the most common causes of maternal death during childbirth. It develops rapidly and is often fatal.

Healthline reports that while rare, AFE has an 83% survival rate, though many cases are not caught in time.

On April 1, Matthew posted a tribute to Hailey on her Instagram account, sharing memories from their IVF journey, ultrasound scans, and the moment they welcomed baby Crew.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the devastating news of the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula, due to complications from childbirth,” Matt wrote.

“Hailey was more than I could have ever dreamed of in a wife and partner… She was my everything.”

Hailey was known for her vibrant presence both in hospitals and online. In 2019, she launched the RN New Grads program—an initiative providing education, career guidance, and support for newly graduated nurses. She used her platform to empower healthcare workers, especially those just starting out.

“She was gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal,” Matthew added. “For nearly 13 years, she stood by my side, loving me endlessly—even when I felt undeserving.”

Hailey had shared the joyful news of her pregnancy on September 17, 2024, after nearly two years of battling infertility. She documented the highs and lows of IVF and pregnancy with honesty and hope, often posting updates with Matt, who is a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

Their dream of becoming parents finally came true—only to be met with unimaginable loss.

A GoFundMe page was launched to support Matt and baby Crew as they begin a new life without Hailey. The fundraiser has already gathered over $250,000 in donations as of April 3.

“On what should have been the happiest day of their lives, Firefighter Matt Okula experienced the unimaginable,” the page reads. “They faced every challenge together, determined to build the family they dreamed of. But in an instant, that dream was shattered.”

The post emphasizes Matt’s selflessness and strength, calling on the community to support a man who has spent his life protecting others.

As tributes continue to pour in, Hailey’s legacy as a nurse, mentor, influencer, wife, and mother lives on in the lives she touched—and in the son she brought into the world.

Our hearts go out to Matt, baby Crew, and all who loved Hailey.