Doula Access at Lovelace Health System
Public notice of doula access policy
(Pursuant to New Mexico House Bill 214 – Doula Credentialing and Access Act)
Lovelace Health System is committed to respectful, patient‑centered maternity care. In accordance with New Mexico law, Lovelace maintains policies and procedures that support a patient’s right to choose a doula to accompany them during pregnancy‑related care.
Your right to choose a doula
Patients receiving pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum services (up to 12 months following birth) have the right to select a doula of their choice to provide nonmedical support during care at Lovelace Health System facilities.
Lovelace permits a patient’s chosen doula to accompany the patient on hospital premises for the purpose of providing doula services, consistent with hospital policies and applicable safety requirements.
Summary of Lovelace Health System doula access policies
Lovelace Health System has adopted written policies and procedures to allow patients to be accompanied by a doula in accordance with HB 214. Key elements of these policies include:
1. Identifying or designating a doula
- Patients can identify or designate a doula of their choosing at any time during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or the 12-month postpartum period.
- Patients are encouraged to inform their care team of their chosen doula as early as possible, preferably prior to admission, to support smooth access and coordination of care.
- A full list of registered Doulas in the State of New Mexico can be found here.
2. Doula check‑in and hospital requirements
Doulas are required to:
- Check in upon arrival at the facility
- Comply with identification or badge requirements
- Follow hospital infection prevention and safety protocols
- Adhere to hospital standards of conduct.
These requirements are applied in a manner that does not unreasonably restrict a patient’s right to doula support, as required by law.
3. Access to clinical areas
- Doulas are generally permitted to accompany patients in appropriate care areas.
- Certain clinical settings (such as operating rooms or other restricted clinical spaces) may have limitations based on patient safety, privacy or clinical necessity.
- Any such limitations are applied consistently and do not negate the patient’s statutory right to doula access.
4. Role and scope of a doula
- A doula is a trained, nonmedical professional who provides emotional, physical, informational and advocacy support.
- A doula is not a licensed clinical provider, does not provide medical care, and does not replace physicians, nurses, midwives or other licensed professionals.
- Doulas must operate within the nonclinical scope defined by state law and hospital policy.
Access to full written policies
Lovelace Health System maintains full, written doula access policies and procedures as required by HB 214.
Request a printed copy:
Printed copies of the doula access policies are available upon request for patients, health care providers, or members of the public.
Requests may be made by sending an email to ABQ-Policies@ardenthealth.com
Legal Basis
This notice is provided in compliance with Section 7(A)(3)(b) of the Doula Credentialing and Access Act (HB 214), which requires hospitals to post a public notice of their doula access policies on their website.