Matthew Okula, a firefighter in Los Angeles, is on a mission to raise awareness about a rare but serious birthing complication that took the life of his wife, Hailey Marie Okula. Hailey, a well-known nursing influencer, died shortly after giving birth to their son on March 29, 2025.
The couple had faced many challenges on their journey to parenthood, including nearly two years of in vitro fertilization treatments. They announced their pregnancy in September 2024 on Hailey’s popular Instagram account, where she shared tips and experiences for new nurses.
Hailey was 41 weeks pregnant and scheduled for induction at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley when complications arose during delivery. Although she initially seemed to be doing well after a cesarean section, her condition suddenly deteriorated. Just moments after Matthew held their newborn son, Crew, he was informed that Hailey’s heart had stopped.
Medical staff rushed to save her, but she was soon pronounced dead due to amniotic fluid embolism, a condition that occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, causing severe reactions. This complication is extremely rare and often unpredictable, making it difficult to prevent. It is estimated to affect about 1 in 40,000 births, with a high mortality rate.
Matthew hopes that by sharing Hailey’s story, he can help educate expecting mothers about this condition and encourage them to have discussions with their healthcare providers. He believes that more awareness could lead to better understanding and research into amniotic fluid embolism, potentially saving lives in the future.
As he navigates this difficult time, Matthew is leaning on the support of family, friends, and the online community that Hailey built. He hopes to honor her memory by advocating for greater awareness and understanding of the risks associated with childbirth, particularly those that are not widely known.