Simply, Safely, Born at Home

San Diego, CA

Midwifery is…

Two people hugging in a bathroom, near a bathtub filled with water. One person is wearing a headscarf and the other has long hair tied back. The room has a shelf with candles and framed pictures on the wall.

Holding space for you to unfold

Honoring you

Where you are now

and where you want to be

Fully embracing individualized care

as the safest & most empowering

Respecting your autonomy & values

Offering recommendations

Supporting YOUR decisions

Believing in YOU!

Line drawing of tulips, with three flowers and several leaves.
  • Mother holding newborn baby in water, wrapped in a colorful blanket.

    Simple & Safe

  • Photographer - Catie Stephens

    Supportive & Calm

  • A woman with a headband rests her head on her arms near the edge of a bathtub. Another person leans in close to her, providing support.

    Sacred & Intimate

  • Cloth banners with handwritten inspirational quotes clipped on a string with clothespins.

    Spiritual & Transformative

  • A woman in labor leaning over the edge of a birthing tub, with a child standing nearby and two people sitting in the background.

    Empowering & Respectful

  • Photo by Ali Feroah

    Holistic & Physiologic

  • A family in a bedroom, with a woman holding a newborn baby in bed, a man sitting next to her with a toddler, and an older man leaning over, smiling and holding a sippy cup.

    Family Centered

  • A couple embracing intimately indoors, surrounded by framed pictures and potted plants.

    Loving & Profound

“Good midwifery combines art, science, experience, and instinct.”

~ Jennifer Worth

HAPPY BIRTH DAYS

HAPPY BIRTH DAYS

  • Michèle, I wanted to THANK YOU for everything that you have done for me. You have helped me to achieve in my life what I NEVER thought possible...you empowered me to BELIEVE in myself and TRUST the ability of my mind and body. You gave me MUCH more than a beautiful birth and a handsome son; you gave me self-confidence, strength, and power. I will never lose those intangibles or the steps that I took to get to them and I can truly attirbute that to you. Nathan and I are so RICHLY BLESSED by you in our lives and are so appreciative of your experience, education, attention to detail, compassion, understanding and LOVE. THANK YOU!

    Natalie W.

  • Michèle was an answer to my prayers for our first birth! I knew I wanted a midwife after trying out several OB/GYNs I finally found her. I was so grateful that she was a veteran, military spouse and supported the military community by accepting Tricare. She has vast knowledge of a woman's body and worked in the NICU so she knew all about what was happening with our baby after it was born. She was also the first practitioner that included my husband in the whole process completely. The doctors had either ignored him or shushed him but Michele made sure to talk to him as well as me - she respected his role as my partner and birth coach. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciated Michele's warm encouragement and her respect for my wishes. I highly recommended her services for any mama & family!

    Kimberly S.

  • Michèle is AMAZING! She felt more like a close friend than my midwife. I was extremely comfortable with her and she helped me feel at ease about all my concerns. She is extremely knowledgable and thorough. I was so pleased that after my baby girl was born she gave a lot of attention to her and made sure she was doing well. I highly recommend her. She goes above and beyond her role always. Thank you, Michele!

    Lynette C.

  • Michèle, my sweet earth angel. I think about my son after my birth night and think about how peacefully he came. Not only because I had faith in myself but because I had full trust in YOU. I love you more than you know. You're like a sister to me, caring, loving, honest, open smart, gentle, and compassionate. I honor you for all that you are. Thank you for helping me have the birth of my dreams!

    Elise Nicole K.

  • I cannot say enough wonderful things about Michele. I am so glad she was my midwife for the birth of my son. Michele provided exceptional prenatal care and ensured that we had safe, calm, memorable homebirth. Michele lovingly involved my entire family in the birth process, it was truly an amazing experience.

    Shannon B.

  • Michèle is one of my favorite midwives. She is so patient, calm, loving, and practices very evidenced based care - while still empowering women to trust their bodies and make informed choices. She is particularly wonderful with women seeking post-cesarean birth options.

    Kristen S - Doula

  • I think back on the day that you helped me birth my sweet baby often - with so much joy and gratitude. Thank you for being part of one of the most incredible experiences of my life! Thank you for being watchful, patient, and for giving me the gift of believing in my and what my body was capable of. I remember so clearly you just kneeling by the tub and I knew that all was well with me and with my baby because you ever giving us the space to just do our thing! I am so very thankful to have a midwife I trust so deeply. Thank you again for going above and beyond! Many blessings in your baby catching and mama empowering days ahead!

    Megan M.

  • Michèle is amazing. She has such a tender and supportive disposition and makes sure her clients are informed and confident throughout the entire birth process - prenatal, labor, and postpartum. I am so thankful I had her by my side throughout this beautiful time in my life. Thank you so much, Michèle!

    Kaitlin K

  • Thanks for being our midwife...I am so happy that I chose you to be there for me through my pregnancy and labor! The passion , love, and support was definitely felt. You made me see that I have a choice and that I am STRONG ~ something I wouldn't have been able to get with a provider I didn't know in the hospital. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are, Michele!

    Denise A.

  • We could not have made it through this beautiful journey without your encouragement and support. You are a special part of our birth story and we are so thankful for all that you have done. Women are so lucky to have you by their side!

    Amber C.

“Birth is not only about making babies.

It's about making mothers; strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and believe in their inner strength.

~ Barbara Katz Rothman

FAQs

  • Lavender Moon is the private practice of Michele Kazmier, CNM, MS. Michele created Lavender Moon to be a supportive environment where you can learn how to care for your health and that of your baby’s within your cultural and personal value system. She is committed to keeping her practice small and personal - so she can provide comprehensive care to her client’s in a caseload model (your midwife cares for you during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period - not a shared practice with more then one midwife). She is on call for her clients 10 months of the year and then takes 2 months off where she does not take any clients in dates. She does not take clients into care if she is not available to be on call during their due window (37-42 weeks gestation)

    Home birth, lactation, and childbirth education services are available - as well as problem visits such as a same day virtual or in-person visits for Mastitis, UTI symptoms, or STI treatment. We also offer trauma informed, holistic well care - that can include PAP/STI testing - during women’s health visits.

  • A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is a licensed healthcare professional providing comprehensive care for women, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecological health. CNMs are registered nurses with advanced education in midwifery and science - holding a master’s or doctoral degree. They offer services including prenatal care, labor and delivery support, newborn & postpartum care, and gynecological exams, managing normal pregnancies and births with a holistic approach. In many states and CA, CNMs can prescribe medications and perform certain procedures, often collaborating with obstetricians and pediatricians to ensure comprehensive care. Midwife Michèle is committed to physiologic birth and personalized care, improving outcomes for mothers and babies, while also empowering women to make informed healthcare decisions.

  • Midwife Michèle brings over 30 years of experience in roles such as mother, midwife, nurse, newborn transition/resuscitation instructor, veteran and military spouse, and fitness & yoga practitioner and instructor to her work. She has worked in the hospital, birth center, and the home - as both a nurse and a midwife. Passionate about midwifery, she honors physiological processes and client choices, while also being skilled in managing complications to ensure a safe and supportive environment for clients and families.

  • As a CNM, Midwife Michèle’s care is covered by most insurance companies in CA, as well as Tricare Select and Tricare Prime (with a referral) - as an out of network provider. She accepts AFFIRM payment plans, credit cards, ZELLE, ACH Debit, and offers several discount categories. Lavender Moon Midwifery will make every effort to provide care that also meets your current financial situation.

    We have also enlisted the assistance of MINDFUL BILLING for our clients to receive a Verification of Benefits and Comprehensive Superbill to submit to insurance to receive reimbursement for the care they receive. *Tricare visits are billed directly to Tricare by Lavender Moon with only co-pays and deductibles - or unbillable fees - due to those that are Tricare Select or Prime (Prime must have a referral for LMM care prior to their visit).

  • Yes - Certified Nurse Midwives are independent practitioners in the state of California and can order labs, diagnose illness, and treat with prescription medication. At Lavender Moon, labs are either drawn in our office during your visit, or an order is sent to a lab close to your home for you to visit and have the tests completed.

    Midwife Michèle can also prescribe contraceptives, antibiotics for mastitis or UTIs, anti fungals for candida, and more when natural and herbal remedies are either not an option or allopathic treatment would be your preference.

“Having a good birth is great. It helps you feel empowered. It’s the most powerful time in your life; it’s creation…

But the self-empowerment that comes with knowledge and being able to make choices that are good for you, your baby, and your family, helps put women on that path of being able to use that for the rest of their lives…”

– Jennifer Welch

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child.

Listen to the don’ts.

Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossible, the won’ts.

Listen to the never haves,

then listen close to me…

Anything can happen, child.

Anything can be.”

— Shel Silverstein

Outline drawing of a lily flower with leaves against a black background.