Adored nurse dies in childbirth after years-long fertility battle as family rally around miracle baby boy

A beloved nurse tragically died during childbirth after a years-long battle to conceive, leaving behind her devastated husband and their miracle son. 

Matthew Okula announced in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday that his wife, who was known for inspiring and guiding new nurses through her social media platforms, tragically passed away due to complications during the delivery. 

The pair's life-long dream of becoming parents was finally realized with the arrival of their son, Crew, on March 29. 

However, the birth took an agonizing turn when Hailey suffered an amniotic embolism during her C-section, and she did not survive.

The popular nurse spent the last year sharing her tumultuous journey with infertility and the demands of her job with her 418,000 followers on social media, before her husband shared the gut-wrenching announcement.

'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,' he wrote. 'Words cannot convey the depth of the loss I feel.'

Matthew's heavyhearted post featured a video collage of their relationship and pregnancy journey, which included video of his wife in labor. 

'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,' he continued. 

'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.'

In 2019, Hailey founded RN New Grads to support newly graduated nurses, providing information about finding work and launching into a nursing career. 

Her RN New Grads Instagram account shared vulnerable content as she opened up about her embattled pregnancy journey and the challenges she and her husband faced with infertility and IVF. 

'Being able to say that we are pregnant is indescribable,' she wrote in a September 2024 pregnancy announcement. 

'From my infertility problems, to my husband's infertility problems, to us having to create a special probe because we both carry the same genetic disease, lotsssss of meds and lots of money, the journey has been hard, but so worth it.'

In announcing her death, Matthew reflected on Hailey's strength throughout their journey to parenthood.

'Words can't describe how badly we wanted to be parents,' he wrote. 

'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.'

The grief-stricken husband reflected on a heartfelt moment he shared with his wife, and will now cherish for the rest of his life. 

'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.'

Many of Hailey's followers have responded to the news of her sudden passing with messages of heartfelt support and anecdotes of how she had touched their lives.

'She was my nurse during one of my toughest hospitalizations,' one user wrote. 'I’ll never forget her kindness and quick help.'

'I am truly shocked and heartbroken for your entire family. There are no words,' one commenter wrote. 'Hailey as such a light in this nursing community. She and I messaged back and forth throughout our pregnancies, and I am devastated to hear this news.'

'I can’t believe this! She was soooo excited about becoming a new mom,' another commented. 'She even replied to my comment, saying thank you when I told her she was the best content producer for her ER skits…I WILL MISS HER!!!'

The Los Angeles Fire Department, where Matthew works as an engineer, also posted an emotional tribute to his late-wife, saying it 'grieves the loss of Mrs. Okula.' 

As the new dad grapples with grief and being a first-time parent, he said he is also trying to manage his late-wife's booming business. 

'Regarding Hailey’s business, RN New Grads, for now, we ask that no physical products be purchased as I don’t know all the logistical side of that part of the business yet,' he wrote on Tuesday. 

Matthew said he is going 'to do everything' he can to keep her business alive, but asked for patience as he 'grieves and recovers.'

'If there are any disputes or questions, I ask for your patience while I grieve and recover - I promise I will work to resolve everything in time. Hailey refused to hire anyone to run her business, partly because we’re so cheap (lol), but more so because she was beyond passionate about her content. I’m going to do everything I can to figure out how to continue this business in her honor.' 

A friend of the Okula's, Jason Teter, has since created a GoFundMe page to help support the new dad face the challenges ahead. 

'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 description explains. 

Dedicated to supporting funeral and memorial expenses, household bills and utilities, future baby supplies and childcare, the fundraising effort has raised $217,000 as of Wednesday evening. 

'Every dollar raised will give Matt the space he needs to begin the long road to healing and ensure that Crew is surrounded by the love and security Hailey dreamed of for him.'