why homebirth

"A woman in birth is at once her most powerful, and most vulnerable. But any woman who has birthed unhindered understands that we are stronger than we know." - Marcie Macari

Homebirth supports women and their freedom to follow their body's natural rhythm. When the natural physiology and spiritual components of birth are honored, it becomes a safer process for both the birthing parent and the child. Embracing the importance of protecting the dignity and humanity of the process - mother-centered - while also respecting the many layers of the birthing process are the hallmarks of midwifery care and homebirth. Individualized, education focused prenatal care as well as continuity of practitioners build the confidence of not just the birthing parent but the families that are supporting them at the birth and postpartum. By taking the time to listen to our clients we guide them to listen to themselves, trust themselves, and rely on their own strength and intuition during the powerful transition of becoming a mother to their baby - whether they have been thru this process before or it is all a new adventure. Each pregnancy is a unique opportunity for growth of the mother - a time to get in touch with their true power. Every setting could offer this level of support but homebirth is uniquely suited because it is your space on your terms. You select your midwife or practitioner and build a relationship with someone that supports your individual goals and birth as a powerful rite of passage. Choosing homebirth is choosing an opportunity to discover your own birth power, from within, while being supported in a safe and nurturing environment for you to birth your child.

"Grapefruits are sectioned, pizza is delivered, women give birth." - Unknown

*This site utilizes the terms"mother" and "woman/women" as they are the preferred choices for the majority of my clients. However, individuals not identifying with these terms are also welcome, and their preferred language will be used and respected.

Homebirth with
Lavender Moon

* "My goal is to provide safe, nurturing midwifery care that supports physiologic birth
in your home - your way" *
- Michele Kazmier, CNM, MS

"The midwifery model of care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life events. the midwifery model of care includes: monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle; providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and birth, and postpartum support; minimizing technological interventions , and identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention. the application of this woman-centered model has been proven to reduce the incident of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section."

in a may gaskin, midwife

the midwifery task force

what is included...

Homebirth care with Lavender Moon includes fees for Midwifery Care and Mobile Facility Fees :
Up to 16 prenatal and 4 postpartum visits for mother and baby (20 total visits) - holistic one-on-one care - up to one hour (3-4 in your home and remaining in the office)
Partner, family, and doula welcome to all visits and your birth
Nutrition and Movement Counseling, Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum education/preparation specific to each trimester - before and during each visit
Spinning Babies, Birthing from Within, Hypnobirthing, Mindful Birth and Prenatal Yoga, Functional Medicine, Herbal Remedies, and Trauma-Informed Care
Your health record shared 24/7 with you for every visit, lab, educational, or midwife recommendation/resource - with a HIPAA messaging system to discuss questions or concerns
Referral to chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, ultrasound, and MD if desired or needed
A midwife with extensive experience - especially with physiologic birth & healing birth (mom of 3 who birthed at home with #3 after 2 births that led to c-section), as well as healthy and compromised newborns (former NICU RN & current NRP Instructor)
Skin-skin - holistic, physiologic postpartum transition of mother and baby
Integrated transfer with your midwife & local EMS in the event of transfer to the hospital
Midwife and Assistant on call for birth 24/7 from 37-42 weeks & Midwifery Care in your home during active labor and postpartum for you and your baby
Midwife, Assistant, and Homebirth Supplies/Meds in your home for you and your baby
Comprehensive Postpartum Care that includes - personalized lactation assistance, the Newborn Screen, CCHD testing, and on-call care from your midwife - a former NICU, Adult ICU, and birth center birth & postpartum RN Birth Assistant
Verification of Benefits for Insurance/Tricare - Birth Certificate Assistance
Midwifery fees billed to Tricare for all covered services
Earthside Birth Tub & Kit (Value - $330) - provided at 34-36 week home visit
Birth & Postpartum Kit (Value - $70) - provided at 34-36 week home visit
Not included in the Homebirth Fees - additional cost :
Doula Care - optional but highly recommended. A doula is especially helpful for both mother and partner in your first pregnancy. The doula's labor support in early labor before the midwife arrives is invaluable. Tricare is also covering doula services (for doulas working with Tricare/TriWest)
Lab draws are in office & included - however, processing the results with Labcorp is billed by them to your insurance/cash pay
Ultrasounds will be referred to SonoHealth by LMM but billed by them to your insurance/cash pay
Rhogam (if needed), Oral Vitamin K, Erythromycin eye ointment, Antibiotics (prophylactic or tx)
Additional Office, Home, or Telehealth Visits after 16 prenatal and 4 postpartum.

costs of homebirth

The cost of homebirth is unfortunately heavily impacted by our societies low value on the relationships and continuity of care that contribute to safety and satisfaction in birth

The cost of homebirth still averages less than half the average cost of vaginal birth in the hospital ($18,000 before insurance). However, the cost of homebirth for clients is significantly impacted by health insurance coverage and whether they will cover the true costs of the one-one, time-valued midwifery model of care. Some insurances cover part but none cover all the expenses that midwives need to charge to be able to continue to keep their client load small and provide individualized care. Homebirth costs can range from $4500 - $13,000 depending on the region that you live and the level of experience and skill of your midwife. The benefits offered with homebirth are still not honored by insurers and until they are most of the fees will unfortunately continue to be the responsibility of the insured. Please let us know if finances are a barrier to entering care and we work with you to find a solution for you and your family.

Though birthing at home is not for everyone, the rate of home birth satisfaction is high - much higher than hospital or birth center births - a gift for you and your family

Global Midwifery Fee - $8800

Michele is a Certified Nurse Midwife & her care is eligible for reimbursement as an out of network provider for most insurers.

A verification of benefits is completed prior to coming into care to give you an idea of what your insurance will cover.

$500 is due as an initial deposit at your first prenatal care visit. The remainder of the fees are due by 32 weeks.

Payment can be made via Zelle/Venmo, PayPal/Stripe, Credit Card, Cash, or Affirm Financing.

A superbill will be provided to you following your care to submit to your insurance (included) or our biller will complete the entire process with your insurer for a fee of $100. Reimbursement will be sent directly to you or to our office and redirected to you.

DIScOUNTED FEES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

AS A VETERAN AND MILITARY SPOUSE, MICHELE IS COMMITTED TO MAKING HOMEBIRTH ACCESSIBLE TO MILITARY FAMILIES. UNCOVERED/unbillable SERVICES, deductibles/cost shares, AND 15% ABOVE THE BILLABLE FEES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MILITARY FAMILIES - THE REMAINDER (COVERED/BILLABLE SERVICES) IS BILLED TO TRICARE POSTPARTUM.

SLIDING SCALE BASED ON RANK/PAY GRADE

clients entering care 2024:

$500 DEPOSIT DUE AT THE FIRST PRENATAL VISIT

REMAINDER OF FEES OUT OF POCKET DUE AT 32 WEEKS:

$4500 O-4 & Above

$4000 E-6 - O-3 (10% discount)

$3100 Up to E5 (28% discount)

*ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

WE ACCEPT ZELLE/VENMO, PAYPAL/STRIPE, CREDIT CARD, CASH OR AFFIRM FINANCING

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TRICARE BILLING AND HOMEBIRTH

get started

CONTACT US TO SEE IF WE HAVE AVAILABILITY IN YOUR DUE DATE WINDOW
SCHEDULE A DISCOVERY CALL - 30 min Q&A with Midwife Michele to review your goals & eligibility
COMPLETE A VERIFICATION OF BENEFITS
SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST OFFICE VISIT - Review your health history and confirmation of pregnancy
SCHEDULE YOUR FIRST PRENATAL CARE VISIT - $500 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT DUE
GET EXCITED ABOUT YOUR HOMEBIRTH!!