Nursing influencer Hailey Okula (33), known for candidly sharing her infertility challenges and pregnancy journey with her social media followers, has passed away following the birth of her first child, her husband has confirmed.
On Tuesday, April 1, Matthew Okula announced the heartbreaking news in a post on his wife’s Instagram account, writing:
“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 Okula, known as “Nurse Hailey” to her 420,000 Instagram followers, was an ER nurse who created the RN New Grads program in 2019 to help newly graduated nurses with resources, interview tips, and more.
After nearly two years of struggling with infertility, Hailey announced her pregnancy on September 17, 2024, calling the news “indescribable.” She continued to share updates and moments from her journey with her husband Matthew, a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Tragically, shortly after giving birth to their son Crew, Hailey went into cardiac arrest, according to Fox 11 Los Angeles.
A GoFundMe has been set up to “Support Firefighter Matt Okula & Baby Crew After Tragic Loss.” Currently, over $250,000 has been raised.
