Lila's midwife qualification came in handy when she and her husband realized there was a big demand for maternity care in their area, and soon opened their own maternity home to serve young and unmarried mothers, who had little to no options elsewhere. At the time, these homes were marketed as safe and welcoming places for mothers, offering entertainment, recreation, and a good start for their babies, though in reality they were often shrouded in secrecy and shame.