HEARTBREAKING: Influencer dies of complications from childbirth after 2-year struggle to get pregnant

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From the New York Post: Popular nursing influencer Hailey Okula — who gained hundreds of thousands of followers sharing her struggles getting pregnant — has died of complications from giving birth to her first child.

Okula — an ER nurse known online as Nurse Hailey — died from unspecified complications after giving birth to her son, Crew, late last month, her husband, Matthew Okula, wrote on Instagram Tuesday.

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Nurse Hailey grew her large following from sharing her infertility struggles in a two-year journey to get pregnant through IVF. When she was finally able to share the good news in September, she told her followers: “Being able to say that we are pregnant is indescribable.”

Hailey’s husband, Matthew Okula, a Los Angeles firefighter who was part of the crew who fought the massive Palisades fire in January, is now left to raise their newborn baby boy alone.

Below is Matthew’s heartbreaking statement which he shared on his wife’s Instagram account:

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

Hailey poured her soul into her career as a nurse and her passion for teaching others through her business, RN New Grads. She was so proud of it and was dedicated to creating something meaningful, not just for herself, but for the nursing community she loved so much. She dreamed of helping new nurses thrive while also being present for our sweet Crew, building a life and legacy she was so proud of.

In the comments section, Okula added Part 2 of his statement:

Regarding Hailey’s business, RN New Grads, for now, we ask that no physical products be purchased as I don’t know all the logistical side of that part of the business yet. Digital products can continue to be purchased as normal. If there are any disputes or questions, I ask for your patience while I grieve and recover—I promise I will work to resolve everything in time. Hailey refused to hire anyone to run her business, partly because we’re so cheap (lol), but more so because she was beyond passionate about her content. She was really particular, making sure she truly liked what was being posted and every resource she created. There’s so much unposted material and so many products she was so excited to share. I’m going to do everything I can to figure out how to continue this business in her honor.

Hailey always loved the community she built, and it fulfilled such a huge dream of hers to be a successful, self-made entrepreneur. Please continue to follow and share her content to help keep her passion for educating nurses and healthcare workers alive. You all made such an incredible impact on her life, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Hailey’s legacy goes beyond the work she did or the aspirations she carried. Her kindness and dedication to helping others left a mark on everyone she met. While we are keeping certain details private for now, we are grateful for those who have reached out in love and support during this unimaginable time.
I never imagined myself asking for anything, and Hailey wouldn’t have either, but for the sake of Crew, if you have a way to contribute anything at all to my Zelle account, it would mean time away from work for me while Crew and I work to rebuild the broken life Hailey and I had put together.

Please continue to hold our family, and especially little Crew, in your prayers as we learn to carry on without her. Her love and light will forever remain in all of our hearts.

Rest in peace, my love. You were everything and more. Always and forever. 💔
– Matt Okula

In response to Okula’s post about his wife, the Los Angeles Fire Department wrote, “We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Hailey was clearly an incredible partner and was already providing Crew with unconditional and unending love. 🙏🕊️.”

Thousands of fans are reacting, sharing their shock, heartbreak and condolences.

Several local people associated with the LAFD are also offering to help.

One woman wrote, “Hey Matt- my husband is LAFD & my doula team would love to come support you if you need anything at all. Our postpartum doulas can help and support daytime & overnight ❤️ no cost at all. reach out if you need anything. Sending love. We are so sorry for your loss. ❤️.”

Another added, “My husband is LACo fire and I’m an ER nurse. If you need help please let us know. Praying for you 🖤.”

“Hi Matt! I’m so incredibly sorry. My husband is Long Beach FD. I support families with newborn sleep help. I’d love to help you at no cost at all once you are settled. Continuing to prayer for you and baby,” another woman offered.

Another fan who had interacted with Nurse Hailey wrote, “I never met Hailey in person, but somehow it felt like I did. She was just one of those people who made you feel seen and supported, even through a screen. She always looked out for me and would let me know if someone was selling my notes without permission and no matter how much her business grew, she still made time to bounce around ideas with me. The nursing community lost someone really special. Her heart, her hustle, her kindness, and her passion for teaching… it all made such an impact. She’s going to be so missed. 💔💔💔.”

Below is a FOX11 Los Angeles interview with Okula, as he shared more details about his wife’s shocking and sudden death.

Matt told Fox11 that his wife died from amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), a rare complication that caused her to go into cardiac arrest, just minutes after the baby was born via cesarean section.

Sharing the video, Okula wrote:

You made my life special in more ways than I can count. From the moment we met, we were blessed to grow together—working side by side, chasing our dreams with determination and love. And you did it. You built something incredible.

Through sheer dedication, you taught yourself everything—running a business, marketing, content creation, and so much more. You created a community that trusted you, inspiring and educating millions of new grad nurses, RNs, doctors, and beyond. Your impact was immense, and I couldn’t be more proud.

Crew is going to grow up hearing about the incredible woman his mom was—how strong, brilliant, and fearless she was in everything she did. He’ll know that she was a true force, changing lives and leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten.

I love you always,
Matt 💔

The Los Angeles Fire Department also posted another video as Fox11 interviewed Okula:

A GoFundMe set up to help Okula has already raised over $282,000 as of this report.

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