New Mexico Doula Association

11/06/2026

A major investment in rural health research could help expand access to care and research opportunities across New Mexico and the Southwest.

The University of New Mexico’s Clinical & Translational Science Center has received a $13.5 million NIH award to expand PC-BRIDGE, an initiative focused on bringing clinical research into primary care settings and strengthening partnerships with rural and underserved communities.

The award will also support BUNDLE (Building TrUst and UNiting Teams Through DouLa PartnErship), a study conducted in partnership with the New Mexico Doula Association and Perinatal Community Voices. BUNDLE will explore how integrating community doulas into prenatal, birth, and postpartum care can improve maternal health outcomes and engagement in care.

We’re proud to be part of work that brings community-based doulas, healthcare providers and research together to better serve rural communities.

Read the full article to learn more: https://hscnews.unm.edu/news/unm-led-team-receives-13-5-million-nih-award-to-bring-research-opportunities-to-rural-communities

11/05/2026

Community call to action! 📣

Community action alert!

The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is proposing to amend the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) rule 8.310.2.

Why does this matter? This change would require that people get a referral from a physician/provider in order to access lactation care. This would mean that fewer families able to benefit from the support of a Lactation Care Provider! Submit a comment letting the Health Care Authority know that you want to ensure access for every family to high-qualified Lactation Care Providers, available to families with or without a referral from another provider.

Here’s how you can submit your comment - all comments must be received by the meeting on November 6th at 11am! Submit your comment now!

📧Email: [email protected]

📲Call and leave a voicemail: (505) 827-1337
Attend the hearing: Nov 6, at 11:00 a.m.,(MT) in the Large Conference Room at the Administrative Services Division (ASD), 1474 Rodeo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505 OR via Microsoft Teams.
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/25604335268768?p=qcv0i29sTMMGKlY0fL
Meeting ID: 256 043 352 687 68
Passcode: hi2XW6MR
Dial in by phone
+1 505-312-4308,,98058573 # United States, Albuquerque
Phone conference ID: 980 585 73 #

📫Send a letter to:
New Mexico Health Care Authority
Office of the Secretary
ATTN: Medical Assistance Division Public Comments
P.O. Box 2348
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2348

Links:
Proposed changes can be reviewed here -https://www.hca.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/Proposed-8.310.2-NMAC.pdf

Public comment info can be reviewed here -https://www.hca.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/Notice-of-Opportunity-to-Comment-66.pdf

11/04/2026

Looking for a doula? Start here.

Finding the right doula can feel overwhelming. The NMDA Doula Directory makes it simpler.

It's a free, community-built directory of doulas and doula practices serving families across New Mexico. Every doula listed has agreed to our non-discrimination policy. Listings include services offered, location, payment options, identities, and specialties — so you can find someone who truly fits.

How to search:
1. Visit the directory: nmdoula.org/nm-doula-directory
2. Browse listings by service, location, and more
3. Reach out to the doulas who feel right for you

Whether you're looking for birth support, postpartum care, or full-spectrum doula care — someone is here for you.

🔗 https://nmdoula.org/nm-doula-directory/

11/02/2026

November is Native American Heritage Month.

This month, we honor the Indigenous doulas, birth workers, families, and communities who continue to carry forward generations of knowledge, tradition, and care.

We recognize the importance of Indigenous birth practices alongside the ongoing work to strengthen maternal health, support Indigenous families, and uphold tribal sovereignty.

We celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and leadership of Indigenous communities across New Mexico — and the birth workers who continue to serve their communities with care and connection.

This month and always, we honor Indigenous birth workers, traditional practices, and the sovereignty of Indigenous communities.

10/28/2026

Training Opportunity for Community Members

Our Earth Community Birth & Postpartum Attendant (CBPA) is offering a self-paced, online doula training and certification program supporting diverse pregnancy outcomes.

The course includes 16 modules with reflective assignments, art, videos, podcasts, and current resources, with a focus on Expressive Art, Humanistic, and Womanist perspectives and centering people of color and the global majority.

Certification requirements include:
• Complete the course
• Take pre- and post-self-assessments
• Support two births and two postpartum clients

The program is open to interested applicants 18+ with rolling admission. Limited scholarships are available for New Mexico residents, with payment plans and sliding scale options also available.

To apply: [email protected]
Text: 505-333-9125
More information: www.ourearthcbpa.com

10/27/2026

Looking back to our roots and celebrating our first Board President Miyoko Inase!

We're excited to spotlight our first ever NMDA board members! First up is our Board President, Miyoko Inase. Miyoko says:
Hi! I'm Miyoko and I am so happy to take a turn holding the position of President of the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Doula Association! I have lived in Albuquerque since 1996 after being born and (mostly) raised on the Central Coast of California. I found my way into birth work in 2010 after a lifetime of interest, and with the initial goal of becoming a midwife. I thought working as a doula would be a good way to wet my feet and make sure the kind of work and on-call lifestyle was going to be a fit. What I quickly learned was the difference in the two roles and I appreciated how as a doula I was able to be more emotionally invested with the birthing person or couple than the primary responsibilities of a midwife allow in most cases. I decided that working as a doula was for me and 9 years later I have no regrets. I'll never say never to the possibility of pursuing midwifery, but I'll always have a doula heart!

I have been minimally involved with the creation of the NMDA since the start and am so thrilled to see how far it's come. I believe strongly in the stated goals and ideals of the organization including birth justice, and I am pleased to head up efforts to create a support group for doulas to connect, share and recharge for their work throughout the state. I am so grateful to all those who have put in the many hours and loads of work to get this nonprofit established and I hope to make them proud to see where we go from here!

Many Blessings,
Miyoko Inase, Board President, NMDA

10/24/2026

📣 Calling All Speakers! Share Your Knowledge at the 2027 NMBTF Annual Conference!

The New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force is now accepting speaker applications for its 2027 Annual Conference, taking place March 10–12, 2027, both in person and virtually! 🍼💜

Are you passionate about lactation support, breastfeeding education, and helping families thrive? This is an opportunity to share your expertise, experiences, and insights with lactation professionals and others working with families across diverse populations.

✨ Presentation and poster proposals are welcome! Submissions should support the skills and knowledge needed to promote and support breastfeeding across diverse communities.

🎤 Speaker benefits include:

- Complimentary conference registration
- Travel reimbursement for speakers traveling from outside Albuquerque, NM
- A nominal honorarium when applicable

📅 Important dates:

- October 20, 2026: Speaker application deadline
- November 1, 2026: Abstract approval notifications sent via email
- March 10–12, 2027: Annual Conference

Interested in presenting but unsure if you can meet the deadline or need help with the application? Reach out to the organizers!

🔗 Apply to be a speaker: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYfOFjltJMaJ6l2dKOCAezmAIfh2mvJZfJ8mzr1dO1u_JioA/viewform

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee speaker selection.

Help spread the word to the lactation professionals, educators, and community advocates whose knowledge deserves to be shared!

10/23/2026

10/22/2026

10/20/2026

Justice for Women and Girls Starts With Equal Access to Justice.

What does justice look like for women and girls around the world?

A recent article from the Council on Foreign Relations examines the 70th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) and its efforts to strengthen access to justice, address discriminatory laws, and confront the structural barriers women and girls continue to face.

The discussion highlights the importance of survivor-centered services, legal protections against gender-based violence, equitable access to legal support, and meaningful partnerships with community organizations.

For those working toward gender equality and reproductive justice, this conversation is a reminder that access to justice is connected to the ability to live safely, access resources, and have our rights protected.

Progress requires more than commitments. It requires action, accountability, and resources that support women and girls in every community.

🔗 Read the full article from the Council on Foreign Relations:
https://www.cfr.org/articles/justice-for-women-and-girls-an-assessment-of-the-70th-un-commission-on-the-status-of-women