The Southern California nurse, a social media influencer and wife of a Los Angeles firefighter, passed away from unusual complications after giving birth to her son.
Haley Okra, 33, shared her pregnancy struggle with nearly 470,000 followers on Instagram. She dreamed of becoming a mother, and after years of infertility, she became pregnant after experiencing IVF.
She and her husband Matthew O’Cula were excited about a new chapter in their lives when it turned out they were welcoming the boys.
Haley and Matt Okra can be seen in family photos. (Okula Family) Crew Okula can be seen in family photos. (Okra family) Haley and Matt Okra can be seen in family photos. (Okula Family) Hailey Okula talks to KTLA with her Instagram page @rnnewgrads.matt okura holding the baby. (KTLA) Hailey Okula can be seen in the photos on her Instagram page @rnnewgrads.hailey Okula. (Okra family) Haley and Matt Okra can be seen in family photos. (Okula Family) A candlelight vigil will be held on April 26, 2025 to celebrate Hailey Okra’s life at Huntington Beach (Okula Family)
On March 29th, Haley became labor and gave birth to her son’s crew.
“We heard the baby cry and were excited that he was finally here,” Matt told KTLA’s Sarah Welch. “She commented on how big he was. I grabbed her hand and said, ‘He’s beautiful and I’ll see you there right away.” We were so excited and it took a very fast turn. ”
Just a few minutes after delivering his son, Matt leaves the room and something unthinkable happens.
“It wasn’t a minute or two after the doctor came in and said they were doing CPR and her heart was stopped,” he said.
Haley suffered from a rare pregnancy complication called amniotic fluid embolism, which occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream and can cause unexpected allergic-like reactions and cardiac arrest.
On April 1st, Matt shared the news of Haley’s death on her Instagram page.
“Haley’s strength was unparalleled. Words can’t explain how badly we wanted to be parents. Haley said her body went through too much, but she never wavered.
Cruokura can be seen in family photos. (Okra family)
Her time with us was tragically shortened, but long before he entered this world, Haley’s love for the crew was endless. She would have been the most wonderful mom. Her spirit, courage and love live through our son and everyone she touches. ”
Haley was an emergency room nurse and was passionate about her career and wanted to help other nurses thrive in the industry. She founded RN New Grads. This is a program that will help support newly graduated nurses. Her Instagram page @RnnewGrads also offers educational resources and advice to help new nurses.
Matt didn’t think he was the father of one newborn baby, but he said he was focused on doing the best job he could while working to raise awareness of pregnancy risk, including amniotic fluid embolism.
“There are about 100 people in the US per year. [amniotic fluid embolism] Matt happened to say. Haley now wants to see how she can use this to see how she can understand how to avoid causing this to other families. ”
In his final moments with his wife, Matt said, “Just talking to her about the crew and I told him I would be the best daddy I could be for him.”
Here is the GoFundMe page that supports Haley’s family with funeral costs.
A candlelight vigil to honor Haley’s life will take place on April 26th at 6:30pm at Sea Ligues on Huntington Beach’s Beach
