New Birth Within Crisis at Elizabeth House

Written by Olivia Estrada (Resident Care Supervisor, Perinatal Specialist, Lactation Specialist)

Yessenia (Resident) went into labor at the end of January 2025, just as the community around her faced the aftermath of the Eaton Fire.

It was as if the outside chaos met the intensity of birth itself. All our residents had been displaced and the day-to-day operations at Elizabeth House were in complete disarray. We were navigating emergency alerts, road closures, and uncertainty about where everyone would be staying. And yet, in the middle of all of it, a new life was coming into the world. 

I remember the reactions of each resident as Yessenia's labor began to progress - equal parts fear, awe, and fierce protectiveness over her safety. It shifted the mood from survival mode to something sacred. Yessenia's labor became a shared moment of resilience. In many ways, the fire underscored just how important community is in the perinatal experience. We were doing more than managing a crisis - we were committed to preserving both her physical safety and the sacred integrity of the birthing experience.

As her doula, I offered grounding techniques, controlled breathing, and emotional reassurance to help her feel connected and secure during her labor. As a mother concerned for my own family's safety, I had to anchor myself. I couldn't control the external circumstances, but I could show up fully for Yessenia. That meant holding space, regulating my own nerves and anxiety, and leaning on my training, but also being forgiving of my own deeply human fears and worries. I kept reminding myself how important it was to remain unwavering. 

From the hotel to the hospital to meeting the eyes of her newborn baby girl—Yessenia was able to experience a birth space of love, warmth, and security. While the fires changed the course of her birth story, they did not define it. Instead, it became a story of resilience, strength, and unwavering support.

Looking back, what stays with me most is how birth reminds us of what's worth protecting. In the midst of devastation, we witnessed the power of life persevering. And that, to me, is the heart of what we do at Elizabeth House - supporting women as they persevere through adversity.