Watercolor painting of a large full moon illuminating a field of delicate flowers, with shades of purple, pink, and blue blending in the background.

There is no greater power

than that of

the moon,

the sun,

and a woman

who knows her worth.

-Nicole Lyons

Our Origin

It starts with our name - Lavender Moon. Lavender has long symbolized a legacy of spirit, ancient wisdom, and a cultivation of peace and love within your soul. Its delicate blooms, a testament to resilience and rebirth, have adorned altars, graced sacred spaces, and offered solace. Moon is a representation of women's power, strength, and mystery. Women are a reflection of the Moon, her phases & her natural cycles—a symbol of femininity, darkness, renewal, and transitions.

Lavender Moon reflects a practice dedicated to honoring women's unique nature, strength, and resilience. It celebrates their journeys and emphasizes essential elements like nutrition, movement, rest, and authenticity, which are vital for good health - yet often neglected. Our mission is to provide integrative women’s wellness and return to these principles, enabling women to confidently pursue their creative passions and dreams. We believe that each woman who shines brighter illuminates the world - just like the Lavender Moon.

Heart symbol icon in black outline.

I said to my body softly,

“I want to be your friend…”

It took a long breath and replied,

“I've been waiting my whole life for this…”

— Nayyirah Waheed

A woman in a blue shirt leaning on the edge of a bathtub, intently observing another woman who is partially submerged in water.

Michele Kazmier, CNM, MS, ERYT, PRYT FOUNDER/MIDWIFE

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of Texas - Austin - NROTC -1993

RNC - Maternal Newborn Nursing - 1996

CCRN - Neonatal (NICU) Nursing - 1998

Certified Yoga Instructor (Vinyasa/Prenatal) 2000 - present

Master of Science - Midwifery/CNM

University of Maryland - Baltimore - 2003

AAP/AHA Neonatal Resuscitation

Instructor & Mentor - 25+ years

Founder/Lead Instructor - Baby’s Breath

Holistic Neonatal Transition & Resuscitation 2012 - Present

Your Midwife

Midwifery first touched my life in 1992 when observing a home birth practice as part of my women's health course in nursing school.  I was inspired by the sense of community that the midwives fostered for the mothers and families they cared for.  Women and their role as mothers was honored.  At that time, I realized I would be on a long journey to help our society understand that the experience of being a woman, birthing, and motherhood warrants special attention.  

My professional journey began as a Navy nurse in a hospital setting, including med-surg, maternal newborn/labor & delivery, and neonatal and adult ICU.  Although thankful for all the education and experience I gained in these areas, I yearned to provide care to women in a more holistic environment. I found that environment in 1998 at Special Beginnings Birth Center in Arnold, MD.  During 1998-2003, as a nurse and student midwife - mentored by an amazing team of midwives - my love of midwifery blossomed.   The birth experiences of my own three children - in 3 different settings, including the hospital, birth center, and home, also enriched my desire to continue my journey with midwifery.  

Mothering and midwifery are my passions, and I am blessed to care for the women and families I serve.   I will remain a lifelong learner so that the information provided to my clients for their decision-making is an up-to-date review of current practice. I am committed to finding new ways to enhance women's experiences during their birth and wellness journey.  I believe that as women in a culture that often undermines - perhaps even unconsciously - our beliefs and values, it is vitally important that we wholeheartedly support each other.  When we choose to encourage each other in our choices as women, mothers, and grandmothers - we create a legacy of love that is unstoppable.  

*Please note, Lavender Moon supports all identifying terminology but uses the terms, women/mother/grandmother on this site because they are the preferred terms for the majority of our clientele.

  • Love the color purple and all things related to the moon...obviously

  • Have an uncanny and frequently quoted talent for mixing metaphors

  • Am obsessed with teatime - should have been British

  • Joined the U.S. Navy at 18 y.o. with hopes to become Charlie (Kelly McGillis) from Top Gun (I later realized her character wasn't actually in the Navy…small detail)

  • Followed that up with a Jane Fonda era to include teaching & competing in aerobics with leg warmers, & yes...thongs on the outside of my shiny tights

  • Had a miracle baby & healing birth at 42 y.o. - after 2 cesareans & several miscarriages - in a warm tub, in my home, surrounded by my love ones, and an amazing midwife & assistant

  • Love to cook, dance, garden, and read - mostly midwifery texts & research (yes, I am a nerd), Paulo Coelho, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes

  • Am more committed than ever to honoring myself & filling my cup - to be of service to others - through nutrition, exercise, yoga & meditation, prayer, and periods of creative bliss and solitude 

  • But…I still spend most of my time between feeling blessed or overwhelmed with balancing all of my loves with my greatest loves: a wonderful husband of 34 years and three children (2 now adults) whom I absolutely adore

I ALSO…

Man and woman sitting on a sandy beach, smiling, with greenery in the background.
A group of six people sitting on a sandy beach, smiling and engaging with each other. The background shows a clear sky, and the foreground has scattered greenery.
Three people sitting on a sandy beach, smiling.
A woman stands in a room, holding a bottle, surrounded by books and framed pictures, with a chair and lamp nearby.
A woman hugging a young girl with soldiers and a "Welcome Home" banner in the background.

My philosophy

My philosophy is simple - Inform. Guide. Support.

Provide information that you need, make recommendations, and honor YOUR choices.

I will stand beside you on your journey.

I will remain self-aware, passionate and engaged - not overworked & overwhelmed - to support you from a place of wisdom and integrity.

My greatest goal for you is to find the strength to admit what you really want for yourself, your body, and your life - then go after it.

But I also hope you…

Trust your intuition - Lean into your faith

Make choices that align with your heart & values

Know that your mistakes are your greatest teachers

Remain inspired to learn about yourself & your body

Rest. Recharge. Renew…

and gather only what you need to shine.

I look forward to guiding you along the way!

Line drawing of tulips in a vase on a black background.
"Michele" written in white cursive with a heart on black background.

Our Sanctuary

Our office space is warm, inviting, and family friendly - for you to enjoy your individualized and unhurried appointments. Whatever the reason for your visit - we are committed to making you and your loved ones feel welcome!

Cozy living room with blue sofa, decorative pillows, wooden chairs, round ottoman, wall mirror, art print titled 'Lavender Moon,' children's play area, and bookshelves.
Children's playroom with shelves, picture books, toys, plush animals, wooden cars, white chairs, and a round table.
Medical examination room with an examination table, wooden cabinets, a sink with a gold faucet, and a small white fridge. Walls are decorated with framed pictures and shelves.

Time to take care of YOU!

A crowd at a concert or festival, with many people raising their hands and taking photos with their phones. The image captures a lively atmosphere with colorful stage lights in the background.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

— Helen Keller

Fees & Insurance

  • As a veteran and military spouse, Michele is committed to serving San Diego’s military community. CNMs are able to accept Tricare for all billable services - thereby allowing you to receive individualized, holistic care within your budget. If you are Tricare Select you will only be responsibile for unbillable services, co-pays and deductibles. Tricare Prime will be billed in the same manner - after a referral is received from your PCP (prior to your first visit).

    Please provide the coupon code TRICARE when you book your appointments so you are not charged for the visit at that time.

    Homebirth Care is a package price and on a sliding scale based on rank. Please see the HOMEBIRTH section for more details.

  • Services for commercial PPOs will be reimbursable up to your carrier’s rate for billable services. You will be responsible for paying your visit fee when you book your appointment and then we will provide you with a comprehensive superbill following your visit to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. As a CNM/ARNP, Michele’s care is reimbursable for most commercial insurance carriers.

  • Michele is an out-of-network provider for commercial insurance plans and cannot bill HMOs, Kaiser, or Medi-Cal. However, financing or credit card payments can be set up when you book your appointment.

*All visit fees will receive a full refund if 24 hours notice is provided for cancellation. Inside the 24 hour window, a $50 fee will be charged for cancellation.

Why do you accept Tricare but not other insurance plans for your care?

Maintaining a small, private practice that provides individualized care to each of our clients is often unsustainable within the insurance model. Fee for service—which is often reimbursable with most insurance companies (super bill provided)—is a model of care that supports our commitment to keeping our care personalized and unhurried.

Lavender Moon makes an exception to support the sacrifices of our military families.

For those not eligible for Tricare, we offer a 15% discount on our fees to clergy, first responders, midwives & other health professionals, students, teachers, and veterans. We also offer a discount to our home birth clients returning to care for their next pregnancy.