                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CHILDBIRTH; POSTPARTUM PROCESS; DOULAS (§ 32.1-137.011)

A. For the purposes of this section:
			&#8220;Birth&#8221; includes both vaginal birth and cesarean section.
			&#8220;Doula&#8221; means a person who provides physical, emotional, and
informational support to a pregnant person before, during, and after pregnancy.
			&#8220;Postpartum process&#8221; means the biologic process that happens to
both the newborn and birthing person after delivery due to endogenous hormone
systems.

B. A health care facility that provides services related to labor and childbirth
shall develop policies that:

   1. Allow every birthing person to have a companion or doula with the person
   during birth in addition to a partner or spouse when a partner or spouse is
   permitted to be present;

   2. At the discretion of the treating physician, allow every birthing person to
   have a companion or doula with the person during birth when a partner or
   spouse is not permitted to be present;

   3. Prioritize newborns bonding with their families in order to facilitate the
   postpartum process;

   4. Will not exclude from care any person giving birth, or interrupt the
   process of birth without the informed consent of the birthing person, unless
   at the discretion of the treating physician;

   5. Detail the facility&#8217;s process related to receiving a pregnant
   person&#8217;s patient information from any provider regulated under Title
   54.1 who has provided care for the pregnant person;

   6. Establish processes to transfer and receive pregnant persons across levels
   of care of licensed facilities within the facility&#8217;s capacity and
   capability; and

   7. Establish a process to receive individuals who are pregnant, giving birth,
   or in the postpartum process from locations other than licensed facilities,
   including a process to receive verbal and written information from individuals
   with relevant information, including family members, doulas, or a health care
   provider regulated under Title 54.1.

HISTORY: 2025, c. 589.