Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicki Woods
Hi Vicki, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Southern California just 5 miles from the beach. During college, I worked as an assistant preschool teacher, reading tutor, and nanny—early experiences that nurtured my passion for supporting families. After marrying my husband, Danny, we spent a year in Iowa before settling in Nashville, where we’ve built a home and raised our family for over two decades.
My journey into birth work began with my own experiences. When I was pregnant with our first child, I researched everything I could and felt confident choosing a home birth. We hired a midwife and doula, and laboring at home was a beautiful experience. However, after a long labor and some unexpected challenges, we transferred to the hospital, where I ultimately delivered via cesarean. Though it wasn’t the birth I had envisioned, I was incredibly grateful for the support of my birth team through it all.
With my second pregnancy, I was determined to have a different experience. I found a midwife in Nashville who supported my goal, and in 2000, I had a successful VBAC. Over the next seven years, we welcomed three more children while also experiencing the heartbreak of four miscarriages. Each pregnancy and birth reinforced to me just how unique and unpredictable each journey can be.
In 2013, I realized that being a doula wasn’t just something I loved—it was my calling. Even with years of personal experience, I knew I wanted to deepen my knowledge, so I pursued professional training through DONA International and eventually became certified in both birth and postpartum support. I joined Nashville Doula Services as an original team member in 2016 and became co-owner in 2018.
Since then, I have had the privilege of supporting hundreds of families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. My personal experiences, combined with my professional training, allow me to connect with my clients in a way that is both knowledgeable and deeply empathetic. Today, I balance running Nashville Doula Services and its sister company, Harbor Birth Institute, with hands-on doula work—something I still love and feel honored to do. I became the sole owner of NDS and HBI at the end of 2024.
Beyond birth work, I cherish my time with family. Danny and I have six wonderful children. We’re also proud grandparents of 3. Whether I’m cooking, exploring nature, singing, reading, or attending concerts with my family, I find joy in the simple, beautiful moments of life.
Through my work, my experiences, and my heart for families, I hope to continue making a lasting impact in the birth community—offering support, knowledge, and compassion to every family we serve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, like any path worth taking, it has had its ups and downs. Life evolves, and people move through different seasons. Some of our team members have been with us since the very beginning, while others have stepped away to start their own families, returning when the time feels right. Doula work is deeply personal and ever-changing, and we embrace the ebb and flow that comes with it.
Over the years, we have been privileged to work alongside so many incredible women, each leaving a lasting impact on the NDS story. Even those who are no longer with us have played a significant role in shaping who we are today.
As a business owner, the demands can sometimes feel overwhelming—the to-do list is never-ending. But I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my family, my dedicated team, and the guidance of a trusted business coach and bookkeeper who help keep everything on track. Despite the challenges, the rewards of this work make every hurdle worthwhile, and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Nashville Doula Services?
Nashville Doula Services was “birthed” in 2015 with a vision to provide a more well-rounded and supportive experience for families, while also creating a sustainable and fulfilling way for doulas to continue their important work. What began as a small effort to support one another as we served families has since flourished into a thriving, boutique birth and postpartum service with an incredible team of nearly 30 dedicated professionals.
For me, this journey has been deeply personal. I have been married to my best friend for almost 28 years, and together we have raised six wonderful children and welcomed three beautiful grandchildren. My passion for birth work grew over many years of personal and professional experience, and after working as a solo doula, I joined NDS at its inception. Initially serving as a birth and postpartum doula and educator, I was honored to step into an ownership role two years later. My co-owner and I built something truly special, and when she recently stepped away, I took on the sole ownership of Nashville Doula Services.
Over the years, our team has expanded, and we now operate from an office space in Franklin, serving families all across the greater Nashville area. Every day, I am grateful for the opportunity to support expecting parents during some of the most transformative moments of their lives. Birth and postpartum can be complex and challenging, and our mission is to ensure that families feel informed, empowered, and cared for every step of the way.
At NDS, we believe that every family deserves a respectful and informed experience when bringing a new baby into the world. We strive to create a future where parents are supported and listened to, where postpartum care extends beyond the hospital, and where perinatal health is a priority. It has been a dream come true to serve hundreds of families over the past nine years, and I am endlessly grateful to our clients and our incredible team for making this journey possible.
We would be honored to be your chosen team for this incredible chapter in your life. Whether you are preparing for birth, navigating postpartum, or seeking guidance along the way, we are here for you.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people about me is that I never set out to run a doula business—or to be a business owner at all. My only business experience before this was in direct sales from home for a few years and later working as a brand ambassador for a baby and toddler food company when my kids were younger. Becoming an owner of Nashville Doula Services was a complete leap of faith. But I believed so deeply in the work we were doing, and I knew I wanted to keep it going. Looking back, I’m so glad I took that chance.
Another thing people might not expect is how much I’ve changed over the years. I’m an extrovert at heart, but as I’ve gotten older, my idea of a good time has definitely shifted. These days, I’d much rather spend a quiet night at home with family or close friends than go out and be in the middle of the action. It’s funny how life has a way of reshaping you in ways you never saw coming.
Pricing:
- Birth doula package $1995
- Classes starting at $250
- Postpartum Packages starting at $1200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nashvilledoulaservices.com
- Instagram: @nashvilledoulaservices
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BVQMMsLSx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nashvilledoulaservices/videos
- Other: https://nashvilledoulas.squarespace.com/discover
