Nursing Influencer Hailey Okula Dies Due to ‘Complications from Childbirth’ Shortly After Welcoming Much-Longed-for Son

• ER nurse and influencer Hailey Okula has died due to complications from childbirth after welcoming her first baby, her husband Matthew confirmed in a devastating social media post
• Hailey had spoken openly about her pregnancy journey and the couple experiencing infertility struggles
• “Words can’t describe how badly we wanted to be parents,” Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter Matthew wrote on Instagram

Nursing influencer Hailey Okula, who spoke openly about her infertility struggles and pregnancy journey on social media, has died after giving birth to her first child, her husband has confirmed.

On Tuesday, April 1, Matthew Okula shared the tragic news on his wife’s Instagram page, writing, “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.” 

Matthew continued on the Instagram account, which has 420,000 followers, “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,” he added, alongside a montage clip featuring scan photos, a photo of their son Crew, hospital visits, and other special moments.

Hailey, an ER nurse known on Instagram as “Nurse Hailey,” launched her RN New Grads program in 2019 to support newly graduated nurses. It offers “educational resources, interview help,” and more, per the website. 

After “dealing with infertility for almost two years,” Hailey shared the “indescribable” news that she was pregnant on Sept. 17, 2024, and she went on to share clips and updates throughout her pregnancy alongside her husband Matthew, who works for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

In Tuesday’s post, Matthew shared, “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,” he continued. “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.”

Matthew’s post continued, “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.”

The LAFD was among the many paying tribute to Hailey on Instagram, writing alongside a wedding photo of the couple, “On March 29, 2025, during the delivery of their child, Mrs. Hailey Okula, wife of LAFD Engineer Matthew Okula, tragically passed away,” adding that they were grateful for those “working to support Engineer Okula and his newborn, Crew, during this unimaginably difficult time.” 

Hailey went into cardiac arrest minutes after giving birth to Crew, per Fox 11 Los Angeles. 

Matthew told the station in a clip shared by the LAFD, “She wanted to be mom so incredibly bad,” while holding their newborn son on his lap.

A description on a GoFundMe set up to help Matthew and baby Crew read, “On what should have been the happiest day of their lives, Firefighter Matt Okula experienced the unimaginable.”

“They faced every challenge together, determined to build the family they had dreamed of for so long. But in an instant, that dream was shattered,” the page continued, adding that Matthew was now preparing to “navigate life as a single father while grieving the love of his life.” 

“Matt is not one to ask for help—but those who know him, especially his brothers and sisters in the fire service, know the kind of man he is. A man who has dedicated his life to protecting others. Now, it’s our turn to protect him,” the post concluded.

The GoFundMe had raised just over $223,000 as of Thursday, April 3.