Colorado baby born in car on shoulder of Highway I-225
Apr 7, 2026, 2:03 PM
A Colorado couple welcomed their baby girl on the shoulder of highway I-225 after the mother went into labor while the family raced to the Colorado Fetal Care Center.
The couple, who post on TikTok as @raisedbytherockies, shared audio of the father’s 911 call on April 3. The video has since amassed more than 248,000 likes.
The baby, Kiana, was born premature and had been diagnosed with genetic and heart conditions, including Tetralogy of Fallot. The family said they had originally planned a home birth but shifted to a hospital delivery at a Level IV NICU after learning of her diagnosis.
Their doula, a former midwife, was in the vehicle and helped deliver the baby. A CDOT driver was the first responder on scene.
The family said Kiana is healthy.
See the video of the parents and new baby Kiana here
@raisedbytherockies Some adventures you plan. This one planned itself. 🐣 Our baby girl decided she wasn’t going to wait for anyone’s plans — not the hospital’s, not ours, and definitely not her dad’s, who was 800 miles away at a conference when early signs of labor began. Kiana Flora Maestas arrived on February 18th, five weeks ahead of schedule, in the front seat of our car on the shoulder of the highway. No birth suite, no playlist… just us, a whole lot of adrenaline, and our daughter making her grand entrance entirely on her own terms. Her first name carries our family’s Hawaiian roots, while her middle name comes from her great-grandmother, Flora (aka Grandma Flower). Combined, Kiana Flora’s name means “divine flower.” 🌺 She arrived with some cardiac and genetic conditions we learned about during the pregnancy, but is growing stronger everyday. For now, we’re soaking in every moment together with her and counting our lucky stars that she’s ours. Lani is a proud big sis and is already completely smitten, too! We are so deeply grateful for this precious soul who has joined our family. She is the gift we didn’t know we were waiting for, and is already loved beyond measure. #carbirth #welcomebaby #nicu #coloradofamily #tof
