Last month, the nursing community was shaken by the untimely death of Hailey Okula, a beloved influencer and registered nurse, who was only 33 years old. Hailey had garnered an impressive following, with over 400,000 admirers on Instagram and more than 200,000 followers on TikTok.
Tragic Circumstances of Hailey Okula’s Passing
In a heartfelt interview with FOX 11 Los Angeles, Matthew Okula, Hailey’s husband and a firefighter, revealed that her unexpected demise resulted from complications during childbirth. Just minutes after welcoming their first child, Crew, Hailey suffered a cardiac arrest due to a rare condition known as amniotic fluid embolism.
“She went into cardiac arrest, and the doctors say it was from a very, very rare complication known as amniotic fluid embolism. She gave her life in the most noble way. She was able to see him for a split second, and I’m always going to remember that,”
Matthew shared that the couple faced challenges in starting their family and ultimately celebrated Hailey’s pregnancy after undergoing several rounds of in-vitro fertilization (IVF). He described her passing as “noble,”as she briefly met their newborn son.
Understanding Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious condition that can occur during childbirth. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this complication arises when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, triggering a response that may lead to severe respiratory and cardiac issues, as well as excessive bleeding.
A Legacy of Support and Advocacy
In an exclusive conversation with US Weekly on April 4, Matthew highlighted Hailey’s passion for nursing and her commitment to supporting new graduates who face bullying in the workplace. He described her as a fierce advocate for a nurturing professional environment, stating:
“She loved nursing. She loved being an entrepreneur. She loved helping others, the nursing community, my family, everyone. She loved giving back. She wanted to make a difference for new nurses. A lot of times, new grads get bullied by older nurses, and Hailey was adamant about fostering a healthy environment.”
Reflections on Hailey’s Health and Medical Response
Matthew’s grief was palpable as he recounted the rapid deterioration of Hailey’s condition. Despite the efforts of numerous specialists, including cardiologists and pulmonologists, they were unable to save her. Describing the events as overwhelming, he expressed disbelief at the swiftness of her decline:
“Her OBGYN said they were doing everything they could, but it just took over. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. She was so healthy, everything had gone well, and then suddenly she was gone. Even in the ICU with every specialist — cardiologists, pulmonologists — no one could save her. It was just so fast, and her body was hit with everything at once: heart failure, lung failure, internal bleeding.”
Community Response and Support
In honor of Hailey’s life and contributions, a candlelight vigil is scheduled for April 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Huntington Beach, California. Matthew Okula has also reached out to the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation to initiate research funding for this rare condition.
Additionally, in support of Hailey’s family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched, which has raised over $365,000 thus far.
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