This is How We Do It: We Create Connection 

When we first met Whitney, she was facing a crisis and deep uncertainty. 

The 2025 LA wildfires had forced her from her home while pregnant with her first child. She was reeling from the emotional strain of displacement, all while preparing for motherhood and the huge changes that come with it.

“The first step was helping me learn how to accept help,” Whitney shared. “They looked me in the eyes and told me they loved me and that they were there for me; I didn’t question it for a second.” From that moment, Whitney became part of the 4th Trimester community. She received postpartum and newborn supplies, guidance on birth and recovery, emotional support and most importantly, a sense of belonging.

At a support group hosted by 4th Trimester, Whitney met other moms who survived the wildfire and found her first “mom friends.” “Since we were all going through the same disaster, it created an instant connection in a safe space. I know I can ask for help, for an item, or for advice without being judged.” That same day, she also met a doula who explained the entire birthing journey, including what to expect in the fourth trimester. “She wasn’t there for clients, she was there to be a support to us all,” Whitney said, “but she got a client out of me.” That connection became an essential part of her care team. 

4th Trimester also offered direct cash aid, which helped Whitney stay financially stable and eventually return to work with confidence. Most importantly, the support allowed her to experience motherhood fully, separate from the trauma of disaster. “As strong as I am, I truly could not have made it through this ordeal without 4th Trimester. They ensured my experience as a first-time mom remained just that and gave me a beautiful journey into motherhood.” 

Whitney is now thriving in her postpartum period and continues to build community with the moms she met. “I want other moms to know that receiving this support will provide not just essential resources but one of the deepest forms of love. I have never felt more loved, adored, and protected than I do by 4th Trimester.”