According to her husband Matthew Okula, TikTok influencer Hailey Okula passed away due to problems following the delivery of her first child
Known as “Nurse Hailey,” Hailey Okula was an emergency room nurse who had thousands of followers. She talked about her infertility issues and her pregnancy journey on her TikTok.
Age 33 nursing influencer and a registered nurse, Hailey Okula died on March 29 when she went into cardiac arrest after giving birth to a son, whom she and her husband Matt had through IVF. Their newborn son Crew was delivered safely though.
Who is LAFD firefighter Matthew Okula, husband of nursing influencer Hailey Marie Okula as she passes away during birth of son Crew
Matthew Okula said, “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.”
You can donate to Matthew’s GoFundMe campaign here.
Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter Matthew met Hailey Okula, a collegiate gymnast, while he was an EMT. Her LinkedIn indicates that she attended Boise State University and Oregon State University, but it’s unclear how she got in touch with the paramedic.
Following two years of persistent infertility issues, the couple underwent one successful IVF session.
“She wanted to be a mom, so incredibly bad. She never put it on me, and the reality is it’s my fertility issues,” Matthew recalled to Fox11 after Crew’s arrival. “We found out [at the time and] she grabbed me and said, ‘We’re a team. We’re getting through this together.’”
In September 2024, the couple announced they were expecting a boy. On March 29, 2025, Hailey gave birth to her son Crew. The social media star only had a brief encounter with her son before requiring resuscitation.
Recently, Matthew, an engineer with the Los Angeles Fire Department, assisted in putting out flames in Pasadena in January 2025. After Hailey passed away, the LAFD released a statement.
“The Los Angeles City Fire Department grieves the loss [of] Mrs Okula and is grateful for the work of countless fire service members, including groups like @housewivesoflafd working to support Engineer Okula and his newborn, Crew, during this unimaginably difficult time,” an Instagram post read.
Matthew disclosed in a recent interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles that Hailey experienced cardiac arrest due to an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) following a cesarean section. “There is no remedy. It is impossible to diagnose.” The single parent told the BBC, “It’s just so sad to think that other people have to go through what he is going through right now.”
Pregnancy complications such as amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) are uncommon but serious. When the amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, it might cause this potentially fatal consequence. The liquid that envelops the fetus in the uterus during pregnancy is known as amniotic fluid. This is referred to as the peripartum period and can occur in pregnant women shortly before, during, or after childbirth.