Nurse Influencer Hailey Okula Dies After Rare Childbirth Complication

LOS ANGELES – Hailey Okula, a 33-year-old nursing influencer known for sharing her journey in the medical field, tragically died on March 29 shortly after giving birth to her son, Crew, via C-section. Her husband, Matthew Okula, revealed in an emotional interview that she suffered an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), resulting in cardiac arrest.

Matthew Okula described the moment as surreal. Just minutes after their baby was born, he was informed by a doctor that they were performing CPR on Hailey. “She went into cardiac arrest, and the doctors say it was from a very, very rare complication known as amniotic fluid embolism,” he stated. “She gave her life in the most noble way.”

Hailey Okula, known on social media as Nurse Hailey, had amassed a following of nearly 450,000 on her Instagram account, where she provided insights and support for new nurses through her platform, RN New Grads. The nurse openly chronicled her struggles with infertility before finally conceiving through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Matthew expressed his gratitude for their time together, stating, “She would have been the most amazing mom.”

According to Dr. Erin Higgins, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospitals, AFE is a rare but severe reaction that occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream during or after childbirth. “The body sees this as an intruder, leading to a cascade of complications including cardiac arrest and hypotension,” Higgins explained.

Statistics indicate that AFE has an occurrence rate of approximately 1 in every 40,000 deliveries, with a mortality rate ranging from 10 to 90 percent. As Dr. Higgins noted, “It often happens very quickly, and patients go from fine to having this cardiopulmonary collapse.”

Matthew Okula shared that the couple had struggled for nearly two years with infertility and were overjoyed at the arrival of their son. He took to social media to honor Hailey’s memory by sharing videos from their wedding, detailing her vibrant personality, dedication, and the love she had for their son.

“Her spirit, courage, and love will live on in our son, and through everyone whose lives she touched,” he stated. A GoFundMe page set up to assist Matthew and Crew has already surpassed its goal of $250,000 as community support pours in.

Experts emphasize the unpredictability of AFE and the lack of known risk factors, making it a terrifying complication for expecting mothers. Dr. Davis Ouyang, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, highlighted that the condition triggers an overreaction of the immune system, leading to potentially life-threatening issues for both the mother and child.

“It’s extremely challenging to treat and requires emergency medical care. Every organ system begins to fail simultaneously during an AFE episode,” Dr. Ouyang said. “Patients need immediate actions like blood transfusions and sometimes advanced interventions like ECMO to support heart and lung function.”

The tragedy of Hailey Okula’s passing serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers associated with childbirth complications. Her legacy continues to inspire many as her husband vows to uphold the values she instilled in their son and the community she lovingly nurtured through her work.