Your baby's birth is a precious, unique, amazing, vulnerable, and sometimes overwhelming experience. I will be present: to care for you, to support you, to encourage you, to believe in you, and to do whatever it is you need to have the best birth experience possible.
A safe place to work through life's ups and downs, in pregnancy, postpartum and beyond
Kindled Life began with Irene Kim and her own beautifully supported births as well as the stories of her friends and family, which sounded nothing like hers. Some sounded lonely. Some of them sounded scary. Some sounded like something had been taken that shouldn't have been. Irene couldn't stop thinking about the difference and went to work.
For more than 10 years, Irene Kim has supported families through labor, delivery, the tender weeks after, and on—as a doula, a birth instructor, and a woman who believes you should never feel alone at any stage of life.
Kindled Life is now a place dedicated to ensuring every individual, couple, and family feels seen, heard, cared for, and valued through the intense transformation of childbirth and the first months with a new baby. With over a decade of experience supporting 500+ expecting parents, Irene offers comprehensive support from pregnancy through the postpartum period.
Irene is described by clients as calming, professional, invested, kind, and experienced, embodying a gentle spirit that makes them feel safe, confident, and reassured. She is a knowledgeable advocate who is caring and understanding, creating a safe space for your authentic self, and empowering you to decide what is best for your unique journey.
From a free first conversation to the tender weeks after birth: this is what support with Irene looks like.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we are right for you. Text or call 240-423-4973, or book online, and tell Irene about your pregnancy, your hopes and your worries.
Two prenatal meetings to get acquainted with one another and the birth process: logistics, preferences and concerns. Education and ongoing phone and email support throughout your pregnancy, with positive birth advocacy.
Early labor phone support, then Irene's attendance and hands-on support at your birth from active labor through the birth of your baby: verbal coaching, massage, and guidance into favorable positions, while helping you ask the right questions.
Breastfeeding support right after the birth and a postpartum visit within two weeks to make sure all is going well with mom and baby. Postpartum doula support is there if you want help in the weeks after.
It is my greatest honor to be welcomed into this miracle of new life, and my desire to make this life-changing experience as positive, comfortable, and even joyful as possible.
Kindled Life offers a full suite of services, from birth and beyond, where you can feel confident, comfortable, equipped, empowered, calm, and supported. For any questions about what each package includes, or to schedule a consultation, please get in touch.
In the weeks after birth, a postpartum doula provides peace of mind and a smoother transition through professional support, comfort, and encouragement.
I stay with you through active labor and delivery while suggesting positions, applying massage, and helping you ask the right questions.
Strengthen your mental and emotional health as you navigate the changes that come with your growing family. Self-pay and some insurances accepted.
Start with a free 15-minute consultation, or book a visit. Every appointment is confirmed by email or text.
My focus as a birth doula is solely the well-being of the mother, supporting her mentally, physically, and emotionally through her labor and birth. I believe that a woman is fully capable of giving birth to and caring for her baby, and that loving guidance and care right beside her makes all the difference.
10+ years of birth work, 200+ births attended.
Breastfeeding and newborn support from the first hour.
500+ students taught. CPR/First Aid certified, federal and county background check.
Johns Hopkins–trained counselor: the counseling training and background I bring to every birth.
A few words from the families Irene has supported.
How can I possibly put into words what Irene Kim has done for me.. she truly was an absolute Godsend, and I will never stop thanking my lucky stars that I was able to have her with me for the most important day of my entire life. My husband had called her after my water broke and I was in a complete panic because that was the day there were no midwives and I did NOT want to go through my first labor and delivery without experienced help! Her communication was so prompt and professional, she was an absolute ANGEL and agreed to be our doula for that night’s (and the whole following next day’s) labor and delivery. We called her at 2:30 AM when we were on our way to the hospital and she immediately said she was on her way! I had never even met her in person before, and that was a bit daunting for me as well but the moment she came into the room she immediately made me feel so at ease and comfortable. When I had painful contractions, she knew exactly where to put pressure with her hands to alleviate the excessive pain, and the words she spoke and tone of voice she used were beyond helpful in getting me to relax as much as I could. When it was time time to push, she and that delivery nurse were like the ultimate dynamic duo, moving me into different positions and cheering me on in the best ways to help push the baby out. And for my very first baby ever, the pushing only lasted about an hour thankfully! After my daughter was born Irene helped me to breastfeed her for the first time, and the next day she came back to check on me, my husband and the baby and see if there was anything else we needed that she could help us with. Without a doubt, I would absolutely NEVER have been able to get through that labor and delivery nearly as positively nor as smoothly on my own. Irene changed everything for me in all the best ways, and I cannot thank her enough for agreeing to be my last minute doula, and being with me and supporting me through the hardest, most painful, but most vulnerable and important, and special day of my life. I am chasing her down when it’s time for my next child!! 😁
As a first-time mom, having Irene as our doula during Roman’s labor and delivery made such a huge difference in my entire birth experience. She helped me feel calm, supported, and truly at ease throughout a process that can feel so overwhelming the first time around. From pregnancy questions leading up to delivery to being there every step of the way during labor, Irene was always available, reassuring, and incredibly knowledgeable. During labor, she constantly checked in on me, guided me through contractions, gave amazing massages and comfort support, and helped both me and my husband feel more confident and grounded throughout the entire process. Her presence was so calming, and I genuinely can’t imagine going through my first birth experience without her. We’re so grateful for all of her support and highly recommend her to any expecting parents looking for someone caring, attentive, and truly dedicated.
Irene was an absolute lifesaver during my first 6 weeks postpartum. She was available to answer any questions that we has- be it feeding, diapering or general newborn care. She allowed me to get much needed rest and have a helping hand as well. After her time with us I was not only better rested and healed than I would have been- but had the confidence to navigate newborn life and parenting independently. Highly recommend!
Irene was our doula for our first birth experience, which ended up being a long and arduous process. She kept us calm and focused and helped empower us when we had to make some difficult decisions. As a medical provider myself, I was very picky about who I wanted to have on my birth team. From our first conversation I knew that Irene was knowledgeable and the right choice for us. During labor Irene spent extra time making sure we were okay and also empowered my husband to use the Bradley method skills he learned during birth prep classes and self study. She also followed up postpartum which really helped ensure my mental health was in a good place. I am forever grateful to Irene for being an anchor in a stressful time for us which really helped us see the silver lining as we welcomed our daughter into the world. I would highly suggest Irene’s doula services to anyone considering an unmedicated birth (or any birth path honestly!) and look forward to having her as a part of our birth team for our future children.
My wife and I had the most wonderful experience with Irene for the birth of our first child. Starting from the background information and resources she provided, through the birth itself, and during postpartum - Irene was always helpful, knowledgeable, skilled, kind, and supportive. We would highly recommend her to anyone seeking Doula services in the area! She helped coach us through early labor, helping us keep my wife as comfortable as possible and helping make the call to go to the hospital. Then, when it got intense at the hospital, Irene was there with the masterful massages and birthing techniques that dramatically improved second stage labor. I was certainly out of my depth - which my wife definitely pointed out - but luckily Irene was there and was quite capable of helping her. Furthermore, she was an invaluable resource communicating with the hospital staff since she knew what to ask, how to ask it, and when to ask the right questions. Simply put, Irene made our birthing experience significantly better by helping keep us calm with her knowledge and expertise, applying her knowledge when it mattered most, and supporting us after the birth with a lovely postpartum check-in where she gave some parting advice and tips. If you have need of a Doula, we can't recommend Irene highly enough.
Irene draws from her deep knowledge and vast experience to clear the fog and equip mothers and their partners. Classes are held in Urbana/Frederick, or on Zoom; pre-recorded sessions are also available.
Are you interested in paying it forward by becoming a doula yourself? Kindled Doula Academy trains and certifies the next generation of birth workers, with Irene mentoring you every step of the way.
Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or ready to book, Irene is here to answer your questions and help you take the next step.
Text or call 240-423-4973 · irene@kindledlifedoula.com · Classes in Urbana/Frederick, MD or on Zoom.
