Health
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Nurse Hailey Dies Suddenly After Childbirth
ER Nurse and Influencer Hailey Okula Dies Suddenly After Childbirth
Los Angeles, CA – Hailey Okula, a well-known emergency room nurse and Instagram influencer (“Nurse Hailey”), died unexpectedly on March 31, 2025, due to complications from childbirth, her husband, Los Angeles Fire Department engineer Matthew Okula, announced. Hailey, who had over 450,000 followers on Instagram, gave birth to her and Matthew's first child, a son named Crew, via C-section on March 29th.
According to Matthew, minutes after the birth, Hailey went into cardiac arrest due to an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), a rare and often fatal complication. AFE occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream, triggering a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. The condition can lead to cardiopulmonary collapse, hypotension, and heavy bleeding, potentially resulting in heart failure, kidney damage, and liver damage. Dr. Erin Higgins, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospitals, describes AFE as extremely rare, occurring in two to six out of every 100,000 deliveries, with an unknown cause and a mortality rate ranging from 10% to 90%. Diagnosis before symptoms appear is difficult, and the condition can progress rapidly.
Matthew shared the devastating news on social media, describing his wife as “gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal.” He recounted the heartbreaking moment he had to choose between being with Hailey in the ICU or staying with their newborn son. He also shared raw and unedited videos from their wedding on Hailey’s Instagram page, showcasing their joy and love. Hailey, who founded RN New Grads in 2019 to support new nurses, openly documented her and Matthew's struggles with infertility before finally conceiving Crew.
The Los Angeles Fire Department also issued a statement expressing their condolences and support for Matthew and Crew during this difficult time. A GoFundMe campaign established to assist Matthew and Crew has raised over $338,000 as of April 4th. The tragedy highlights the unpredictable and sometimes devastating nature of rare childbirth complications.
Los Angeles, CA – Hailey Okula, a well-known emergency room nurse and Instagram influencer (“Nurse Hailey”), died unexpectedly on March 31, 2025, due to complications from childbirth, her husband, Los Angeles Fire Department engineer Matthew Okula, announced. Hailey, who had over 450,000 followers on Instagram, gave birth to her and Matthew's first child, a son named Crew, via C-section on March 29th.
According to Matthew, minutes after the birth, Hailey went into cardiac arrest due to an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), a rare and often fatal complication. AFE occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream, triggering a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reaction. The condition can lead to cardiopulmonary collapse, hypotension, and heavy bleeding, potentially resulting in heart failure, kidney damage, and liver damage. Dr. Erin Higgins, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospitals, describes AFE as extremely rare, occurring in two to six out of every 100,000 deliveries, with an unknown cause and a mortality rate ranging from 10% to 90%. Diagnosis before symptoms appear is difficult, and the condition can progress rapidly.
Matthew shared the devastating news on social media, describing his wife as “gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal.” He recounted the heartbreaking moment he had to choose between being with Hailey in the ICU or staying with their newborn son. He also shared raw and unedited videos from their wedding on Hailey’s Instagram page, showcasing their joy and love. Hailey, who founded RN New Grads in 2019 to support new nurses, openly documented her and Matthew's struggles with infertility before finally conceiving Crew.
The Los Angeles Fire Department also issued a statement expressing their condolences and support for Matthew and Crew during this difficult time. A GoFundMe campaign established to assist Matthew and Crew has raised over $338,000 as of April 4th. The tragedy highlights the unpredictable and sometimes devastating nature of rare childbirth complications.
